The industry experts have declared the gin craze is over. You known what? We don't care - as you will see from how extensively we have dived into the category for our best gin guide.
A gin and tonic is still one of our all-time classics and go-to simple cocktails.
However, when you dig deeper into what a G&T can be, you realise gin really isn't that simple at all.
Standard gins still have their own flavour notes, often of citrus, juniper or fennel, which make them more or less suited to a certain style of tonic. There's an alchemy to the pairing of a gin and its tonic.
And that's before we even get onto flavoured gins, which can bring much greater punch. A rhubarb gin is a Shortlist fave.
Just getting started in the world of gins? For the classic experience, start out with a London Dry. This means a gin has been flavoured with classic botanicals only, typically with a juniper-forward lean.
A non-London Dry gin isn't necessarily to be labelled full-on "flavoured", mind. Popular gin Hendricks is thought of a G&T classic, but isn't a London Dry, because cucumber and rose oils are added after distillation.
Does that mean you should turn your nose up at it? Absolutely not. We say get your nose in it and experience the wonderful diversity going on in the world of gin. There sure it plenty of it in our list of the 45 best gins below.
Make sure that you vote for your favourite tipple and if your gin of choice isn't in the list, let us know below and we'll try and get it in to sample so we can see how it compares to all of the others.
You can also head to our best supermarket gin list, where we've done hundreds of hours of taste testing. If you want pink gin or a gin that's sweeter, then let our best flavoured gin list be your guide.
Below we have a number of fantastic gins listed that have successfully made it through our taste test. If you want to learn a little more about gin, then we have everything from how to make the best gin and tonic, how to taste gin like a pro to a definition of all the different gin varieties below.
Enjoy!
The best gin
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How to taste gin like a pro
Take it neat: If you really want to get the flavours of the gin, then your first taste should be neat, without tonic or ice.
Find the right glass: As with most spirits, any glass that has a tulip shape works best. This is when the glass is fatter at the bottom and slimmer at the top. These glasses are said to offer the best way for the drink to be tasted - the bulbous bottom gives the gin a chance to swirl around.
If you do it in a standard shot glass, then you are mostly just getting the ethanol fume and that isn’t a good thing.
Have a coffee break: Coffee beans are a great palette cleanser. Take a bunch and break them up in your palm and give them a good sniff before and after a taste test. This will prime your buds for tasting gin and getting the most out of the notes. A simple sip of water will really help with making sure your tongue is ready, too.
Once that’s done, coat your palm with gin, leave it a few seconds so the alcohol disappears, cup and smell - this will offer up the aroma notes of the gin before you actually taste.
Swirl and sniff: this goes for any type of tasting - swirl the liquid (in a tulip glass) before you sip and give the notes a good sniff before tasting. When it’s in the mouth coat the whole of the moth and then swallow, breathing out as you do.
What to look for when buying gin
One of the simplest ways to make sure you are getting the right gin for your taste buds is to study the botanicals that have been used.
If you are looking for a floral gin, then find ingredients that are plant and flower based. If you prefer your gin with a bit more fruit, then look for any added fruit infusions.
What different gin varieties are there?
One of the simplest ways to make sure you are getting the right gin for your taste buds is to study the botanicals that have been used. If you are looking for a floral gin, then find ingredients that are plant and flower based. If you prefer your gin with a bit more fruit, then look for any added fruit infusions. In the broadest of strokes, though, here are the most famous varieties of gin:
What is London Dry gin?
If you want a real blast of juniper with your gin, then look for a London Dry variety. Interestingly - and confusingly - London Dry gin doesn’t have to be made in London, it is a production method that distillers have to abide by.
What is Plymouth Gin?
Up until 2015, this was gin made in Plymouth UK (hence the name). Now, there is only one distillery in Plymouth. Plymouth Original Strength is 41.2% and isn’t quite as dry as the London gin variant.
What is Old Tom gin?
This is a recipe that dates back to the 18th Century and is sweeter than London Dry and is famous for being used in the Tom Collins cocktail.
What is Navy Strength gin?
If a gin is 57% ABV then it is Navy Strength, the term given to gin that wouldn’t spoil gunpowder when it got in the explosive mix on the high seas. Due to the high ABV, this gin is better mixed and in cocktails.
What is small batch gin?
In 2009, the UK allowed small batch distilling to take place which is why gin exploded during 2010 and has been the same ever since. It essentially means gin that isn’t distilled in industrial quantities and, in turn, by big manufacturers. This means you can get some cracking gin from smaller distillers.
What is bathtub gin?
This is gin that was originally not made by professionals (so in the home) and because of this the quality varied. It’s now a brand owned by Ableforth which uses a different distillation process to normal gin - it’s definitely not made in a bathtub but a copper still.
How to make the perfect gin and tonic
Sam Carter, senior ambassador at the Bombay Sapphire Laverstoke Mill Distillery, tells us (and you) how to make the perfect gin and tonic.
“Preparation is key. You need to make sure you have everything to hand so when it comes to making the drink it’s easy and stress free.
Here’s what you need…
- Large clean highball glass
- Good quality ice cubes - this will chill the drink quicker resulting in less dilution and keeping it colder for longer.
- Bottle of your gin of choice (I use Bombay Sapphire due to its fresh forest floor pine notes and spicy character).
- The finest chilled organic tonic water (my favourite is made by FeverTree and using the 200ml bottles means it is always fresh)
- Fresh green lime
- Sharp knife
- Chopping board
- Bottle opener
- Long spoon
Instructions
1. Start by rolling your lime on a chopping board with the palm of your hand for 10 strokes. What this does is massage the fruit to get the juices flowing. You’ll be able to get a higher yield of juice from each wedge so it’s good for your wallet.
2. Now you’re ready to cut your lime into wedges. Stop! To do this, don’t cut it in half from head to tail but through the circumference of the fruit then, whilst resting the flat area on the board, cut the two halves into four wedges (cut across the segments).
You should end up with eight perfectly formed wedges which are juicy and raring to add aroma and flavour. Oh, and, if you don’t happen to use up all your lime wedges in one go place them in a sealable container and pop in the freezer. This way they are ready to be used next time as lime flavoured ice cubes.
3. Next take one of your perfectly cut lime wedges and between thumb and forefinger, squeeze into the bottom of the highball glass then drop in the wedge.
4. Grab a bottle of Bombay Sapphire around the neck and if you’re lucky enough to have a barman’s pourer in your bottle then turn it upside down over the glass and count to five. This should give you a double measure (50ml). If you don’t have a pourer then you could use the cap. This measures 15ml - measure out 3 of these add one last splash for luck.
5. Next, fill the glass to the top with ice then stir for a few seconds with the long spoon.
Open your chilled bottle of FeverTree tonic water just before you need it so it’s lively then pour 100ml over the ice.
Let the bubbles settle then stir for a couple of revolutions to mix the drink and create a consistent flavour. If needed, add more ice cubes to bring the water line to around 1cm from the top of the glass (not more tonic) then add a second lime wedge (not squeezed) perfectly positioned on the top of your tipple to add aroma and visual appeal, but little extra flavour.
I’m not keen on ‘rimming the glass’ with the lime wedge juice as it has a tendency to overpower the drink and also makes the outside of the glass wet and sticky. Finally add a clear straw to the glass if you want it.
- We've taste tested the best vodka around
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- If you want a tipple that's alcohol free, then head to our best non-alcoholic sprits guide
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