This is what gin consists of: ingredients & production

In this article we explain how gin is made and what the trendy drink is made of. If you know more about the interesting ingredients, you can finally try a pure gin tasting.

What gin is made of and how it is made

The name gin is derived from the French word "genévrier" (juniper). Juniper berries are therefore the dominant taste feature of the in-drink.

• The basis of gin is always an alcohol that is distilled from grain or molasses. Molasses is a by-product from sugar production. The flavoring of gin can take place during distillation or later by soaking the ingredients in the alcohol (maceration).
• Juniper berries are therefore essential for the characteristic taste of most gins. These are often in the foreground as a flavor note and are therefore often also distilled, ie added during the production of the alcohol.
• Other natural ingredients such as coriander, thyme or orange peel can also be added to the alcohol. However, these additional notes are often supplemented by adding the ingredients in the finished basic alcohol. Contact with the alcohol vapors can also create subtle associations, such as a slight aftertaste of ginger.
• Around 120 different ingredients are currently used as flavors and ingredients in the production of gin. There are also gins with floral notes, the taste of fine wines or even with pickled ants.
• By the way: In the EU and Switzerland, gin must have an alcohol content of at least 37.5%. However, good mixtures often contain more, because the taste contrast of flavors and alcohol is perceived as more rounded.

If you are still looking for the perfect recipe for your gin and tonic, a professional bartender will tell you his tips for the stimulating party drink in the next article.