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Gin is a clear, distilled alcoholic beverage that has a long history and is enjoyed in many forms, from classic gin and tonic to creative cocktails. The flavour of gin comes from a variety of natural ingredients known as botanicals, which are added during distillation to give the spirit its distinct character. These flavours range from earthy to spicy, citrussy to floral, making each type of gin unique.
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Botanicals are natural plant-based ingredients used to flavour gin. These include seeds, roots, flowers, and fruits that are carefully selected and added during the gin-making process. Botanicals are what make gin stand out from other spirits, and their specific combinations create endless flavour possibilities. Each botanical has its own distinct characteristics, contributing to the overall taste and aroma of the gin.
Coriander Seeds:
Coriander seeds add a layer of citrussy, spicy, and slightly nutty notes to gin. They are often used alongside juniper berries to balance the sharper flavours and bring warmth and complexity to the drink. Coriander seeds enhance the overall flavour profile, making gin more rounded and enjoyable with hints of lemony brightness.
Juniper Berries:
Juniper berries are the most important botanical in gin and are responsible for its signature pine-like taste. Their slightly sweet, resinous flavour gives gin its distinct identity. Without juniper, a spirit cannot be legally classified as gin. These small, bluish berries offer a fresh, earthy aroma that is essential to the base flavour of gin, setting it apart from other spirits.
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Angelica Root:
Angelica root provides an earthy and woody flavour that complements the other botanicals used in gin. This root also acts as a binder, helping to hold the flavours of the different botanicals together and give the gin a well-rounded, deep taste. Its grounding qualities help bring balance and structure to the gin.
Cardamom:
Cardamom is a warm, spicy botanical that adds a distinctive aromatic quality to gin. Its slightly mentholated and intense flavour complements the piney sharpness of juniper berries. The spice brings a rich, complex warmth that makes the gin taste more rounded and layered, especially in spiced gins.
Orris Root:
Orris root is used as a fixative in gin, which means it helps stabilise and preserve the aromas of the other botanicals. It provides a subtle floral note, giving the gin a smooth and long-lasting flavour. While its taste is mild, orris root enhances the longevity of the gin’s aromas, allowing the botanicals’ flavours to shine.
Citrus:
Lemon or orange peels are common botanicals in gin, bringing fresh, zesty flavours that brighten the spirit. These citrus peels add a lively, tangy touch, balancing the heavier and spicier botanicals. The addition of citrus gives gin a refreshing and crisp finish, making it perfect for light cocktails.
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Nutmeg:
Nutmeg is used sparingly in gin, but its warm, aromatic quality adds depth to the spirit. With hints of spice and sweetness, nutmeg enhances the flavour without overpowering other botanicals. It provides a subtle, comforting note that rounds off the gin’s flavour profile.
Cubeb Pepper:
Cubeb pepper offers a peppery, slightly bitter flavour with hints of allspice. Its exotic, complex profile gives gin a unique twist, making it stand out from more traditional botanicals. Cubeb pepper adds a bold, spicy touch to gin, often found in more adventurous gin varieties.
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Lavender:
Lavender brings a soft, floral aroma and flavour to gin. Its gentle fragrance helps balance the stronger botanicals like juniper, adding a calming and delicate note. Lavender makes gin smoother and more aromatic, often featured in lighter, more floral gins.
Cinnamon:
Cinnamon adds warmth and a hint of sweetness to gin. Its sweet, woody undertones enhance the complexity of the gin, giving it a richer flavour. The spice complements the other botanicals, adding a gentle heat and making the gin more robust and satisfying.
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Chamomile:
Chamomile adds a gentle floral touch to gin, providing a calming and soothing flavour. Its subtle sweetness complements stronger botanicals, creating a more balanced and smooth gin. Chamomile’s delicate flavour helps mellow out the sharpness of the juniper and spices.
Liquorice Root:
Liquorice root imparts a sweet, anise-like flavour with earthy undertones to gin. It softens the sharpness of the spirit, giving the gin a smoother and slightly sweeter finish. This botanical helps balance the bitterness and adds a comforting depth to the overall flavour.
