Gin for beginners: types of gin and cocktails too!

If you ask someone who is unfamiliar with gin what it tastes like, nine times out of ten you'll hear two words - "pine needles." And yes, most of the time in this country if you've ordered something like a gin and tonic, it will have been made with a gin famous for its evergreen notes. But what if we told you that's not the only kind of gin you can find? What if we told you there are actually four main types of gin, and they're pretty wildly different? Actually, that question doesn't make sense because that's exactly what we're telling you, so get your questions ready and hold out your glass, and we'll pour out the rest of the story about this quintessential spirit of spring and summer.

This is a great place to start - gin is a distilled neutral spirit (think vodka), that has had various botanicals steeped in it to impart specific other flavors. Distilleries typically bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV) but you will see some fluctuation between styles and brands.The one constant is that in order to be called gin, it has to be flavored with juniper berries in some amount, which also differs by style. Along with pine, you'll find that many gins have a strong flavor and scent citrus.

If you go looking, you will find opinion-havers in certain corners of the internet claiming that gin is just a kind of flavored vodka, which is technically correct - the internet's favorite kind of correctness. There is some nuance however, like the fact that certain kinds of gin aren't allowed to contain certain ingredients like sugar or artificial flavors which isn't true for other spirits. Learn more in our liquor beginner's guide or dig into our botanical guide.

London Dry Gin - this is the one you've most likely had before, even if you're not an enthusiast, as it's likely the one most often stocked in your neighborhood bar and most prominently displayed on liquor store shelves. Originating in England (the "London" part was a dead giveaway), it's now made all over the world and is the style most people associate with the word. However, contrary to what the name may imply, this spirit doesn't have to be distilled in London, or even in England these days - think of the name as more of a quality standard than a flavor profile or location requirement. Popular brands of London dry gin are Beefeater, Tanquerey and Bombay.

The flavor profile is very forward on the Juniper (think pine forests and Christmas trees, which is why some bottom shelf gins smell like an air freshener) and citrus are typically the main flavors. Since the "dry" in London Dry means no sweeteners or artificial flavors can be added. So the ingredient list is pretty simple. if you pick up other flavors it's going to be from other botanicals in the mix. Those botanicals can vary wildly, from almonds to cinnamon to coriander to licorice, which allows different distillers, brands and bottlings to have their own unique flavors.

Tanqueray uses four botanicals (including the juniper), Bombay Sapphire boasts ten, and The Botanist Islay Dry lives up to its name with 22 botanicals. Let's all just agree to remember that it's not the number of botanicals you have, it's how you use them.

Contemporary or Modern Gin - this style of gin is where things can get a little weird - exactly how we like it. Modern gins have a lot more leeway in terms of how much juniper is present in the botanical mix. There will always be juniper present, but it will often take a back seat to other flavors. A popular brand of modern gin is Hendrick's.

The flavor profile can get floral like Hendrick's or Empress 1908, you might see sage like in Prairie, or you might even see something like raspberries in Nolet's Silver. The possibilities are nearly limitless, and you'll find contemporary gins that have been distilled all over the world.

Tomcat or Old Tom Gin - this is a gin variant that gained popularity in 18th-century England. Until fairly recently it was rare to find, but this style has experienced a resurgence thanks to the upswing in interest for craft cocktails. It is slightly sweeter than London Dry, but slightly drier than the Dutch Jenever, and it's sometimes called "the missing link" between the two styles. The name has a few (probably apocryphal) origin stories, but the most likely is due to wooden plaques shaped like a black cat (an "Old Tom") mounted on the outside wall of some pubs in 18th-century England.

This is a mellower-tasting style of gin than London Dry, with a sweetness that rounds the more famous style's sharper edges. You might see it with a brownish tint or it might be clear, depending how it's distilled and made. Ransom's Old Tom has a "maltier" flavor than other gins, while Caledonia Spirits' Tom Cat boasts of "whiskey-like notes of oak, spice and a finish of juniper and raw honey."

Genever - Sometimes spelled "Jenever," this Dutch gin is a traditional spirit in the Netherlands and nearby countries like Belgium. There are two types of genever: oude (old) and jonge (young). Contrary to what you might think, this isn't a reference to aging, but different distilling techniques pre- and post-1900.

So what does all that mean for the flavor? If you try Bols Genever, expect a flavor of "malt, stone fruits and juniper," and if that sounds appealing we offer dozens of Genevers (subject to local availability) for you to try.

Navy Strength gin - given its name when it was a necessity of the British Royal Navy (it was thought to help illness and disease,) Navy strength gin is distilled with native finger limes and fresh ginger.

Plymouth gin - this gin is very similar to London Dry Gin. You'll notice between the two, Plymouth is drier and the flavor is earthier and sweeter.

Just like any other spirit, the best way to drink gin is however you think it tastes best! It's not as common to sip gin on the rocks, but it happens - some people even like to sip it straight. We've rounded up some of our favorite gin cocktail recipes for you - most of them are commonly made with London Dry, but feel free to try them with whatever gin you have!

We hope you learned a little something about our favorite botanical beverage today, and don't forget to check to see if Drizly is in your city so we can deliver gin (and other goodies from your local liquor store) in sixty minutes or less.