“Gin” comes in two varieties: “distilled gin” and “compounded gin.” Distilled gin is simply the result of re-distilling Grain Neutral Spirits (GNS) that have been flavored with juniper berries. Compound gin is essentially juniper flavored vodka. London Dry Gin, the most common kind of gin, is a “distilled gin,” often made with juniper, citrus, angelica root, orris root, anise, licorice root, cinnamon, coriander, and cassia bark.

The word “Gin” comes from the French word for juniper, “genevrier,” not from the city of Geneva. The spirit became very popular in England in the 1700s, where unlicensed gin production was legal and imported spirits were heavily taxed. Gin became so widespread and cheap, that it was often blamed for many social and medical problems. The phrases “gin-mills,” “gin-soaked,” and “mother’s ruin,” are all terms that describe gin and it’s negative effects that still survive today.

In response, England began regulating gin in 1751. Licenses were required to make and sell gin, and local police had authority over producers. As a result, black market gin began to spring up across the country that was dangerous and often flavored with turpentine or sulfuric acid. This didn’t stop consumption though, and gin was even used to mask the taste of the malaria-fighting quinine commonly found in British colonies. It was here, in the colonies, where the mixture of gin and tonic was created.

Gin is generally around 90 proof.

Popular Gin drinks include:

Martini

Gin and Tonic

Tom Collins

Gin and Juice