Gin 101 Everything You Need To Know West

Published: March 12, 2025 | Last Updated: August 30, 2025 This page may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. With this quick-start guide to gin, you’ll learn everything you need to know about this flavorful and versatile spirit, from how it’s made to the best brands to buy. Whether you’re mixing up a classic cocktail or trying a new recipe, our Gin 101 guide will help you choose the right bottle and make the most of it. *This post may contain affiliate links, meaning Feast + West may receive commissions for purchases made through those links — at no cost to you. All opinions are our own.

Please read our full disclosure for more information. Welcome to Gin 101! This spirit is complex, with layers of herbal, floral and spiced flavors that vary widely from bottle to bottle. People often tell me that they hate gin. And honestly? I get it.

Gin wasn’t always one of my favorite spirits for cocktails, either, but it has grown on me in a big way. When I was younger, the strong, herbal, almost-medicinal taste of cheap gin turned me away. But now, I’m learning to like those complex flavors. The gin and tonic has saved more Englishmen’s lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire.” — Winston Churchill. Gin’s story begins in the Middle Ages, with its roots tracing back to a medicinal drink known as “jenever” or “genever” in the Netherlands. This early form of gin was created by distilling malt wine with juniper berries, which were believed to have medicinal properties.

The name “gin” itself is derived from the French word “genièvre” and the Dutch word “jenever,” both meaning juniper. Gin’s popularity soared in England during the 17th century, particularly after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, when William of Orange, a Dutchman, ascended to the English throne. The new monarch encouraged the production of gin, leading to a period known as the “Gin Craze.” During this time, gin was cheap and widely available, resulting in widespread consumption and social issues. The British government eventually intervened with the Gin Act of 1751, which regulated production and sales, leading to a more controlled and refined gin industry. Today, distilleries all over the world produce their own versions that endeavor to reflect the essence of where they’re made. In the United States, gin is classified as an alcoholic beverage with a minimum of 40% ABV (80 proof) that has the distinct flavor of juniper berries.

Gin that is produced solely through the redistillation of botanicals can be specifically labeled and marketed as “distilled gin.” Gin comes in several varieties, each with its unique characteristics: In this comprehensive gin 101 guide, we will cover the spirit’s captivating history and how it’s made, then finish with my top brand recommendations for your home bar. By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll have a whole new appreciation for Madam Geneva. A clear, distilled spirit with a uniquely refreshing flavor profile, gin is a staple liquor in any bar. If the only times you’ve ever had gin were the bottom-shelf gin and tonics you used to order in college, then you’re seriously missing out.

Infused with bright botanical flavors, gin makes a wonderful addition to a wide variety of cocktails and is also fantastic on its own. In my humble opinion, no home bar is complete without it. Gin is a clear spirit made by distilling fermented grains with aromatics like juniper, flowers, and fruits. I like to think of gin as vodka’s classy botanical cousin, because the two are fairly similar and tend to be interchangeable in many popular cocktails. Some of the most well-known gin cocktails include the martini, French gimlet, negroni, Tom Collins, and gin and tonic. Gin has been given many nicknames over the years, such as Madam Geneva, Mother’s Ruin, and Dutch Courage.

The gin we know today can be traced back to 16th century Holland. Back then, it existed as a medicine made of a malted barley spirit that was often re-distilled with healthy aromatics like juniper berries to make it more palatable. During the Dutch War of Independence, British troops discovered gin and lovingly named it “Dutch courage.” The soldiers were so fond of the spirit that they brought it back to England with them when... During this time, the British government allowed the unlicensed production of gin, which would lead up to a period of time in the early to mid-18th century that was dubbed the gin craze. This was a time when London experienced, quite literally, a craze involving extended public drunkenness that led to violence and social devastation. You can’t make this stuff up!

After this dark time in London’s past, gin was given a new nickname: “Mother’s ruin.” Discover the essentials of gin—from its rich history and signature botanicals to how it’s made and the key styles to try. Perfect for beginners and gin lovers alike! Gin is one of the world’s most popular and versatile spirits, loved for its unique blend of flavors derived from natural botanicals—especially juniper berries. Whether you’ve heard of London Dry, Old Tom, or New Western styles, understanding what makes gin special starts with learning about its history, production process, and signature ingredients. Thanks for reading Drink Lore!

Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll break down the essentials of gin: what it is, how it’s made, the key botanicals that give it its distinct taste, and the different styles you might come across. By the end, you’ll have a solid foundation to appreciate this botanical spirit, whether you’re exploring it for the first time or simply curious to learn more. Gin is a popular distilled spirit made by infusing neutral alcohol with juniper berries and other botanicals. Known for its crisp, herbal flavor, gin has been a staple in bars and homes for centuries. Gin is a clear, distilled spirit with dominant botanical flavors of juniper, flowers, and fresh and dried fruit.

The name gin derives from the word genever (old English), genièvre (French) and jenever (Dutch), all of which are derivatives of the Latin word juniperus, meaning juniper. When sold in the U.S., gin must arrive at a minimum 40 percent ABV and have a clearly identifiable juniper influence. Looking for a bottle to drink? See our always updated list of the best Gins! There are two types of gin that are most common in the U.S. market.

Distilled gin is made by distilling a mash, or fermented alcohol base, similar to production of brandy or whiskey. Redistilled gin is made from the second distillation of a neutral spirit. Both types receive their flavor via an infusion of fresh or dried juniper berries and other botanical ingredients (collectively known as the “botanical bill”). A third, less common (and cheaper), type is compound gin, which mixes neutral spirit with juniper berry extract or essences (in addition to other aromatics if desired) to gain flavor. In addition to the three classifications, there are several popular styles of gin. London Dry gin is the most traditional and the benchmark for quality gin.

It’s usually light-bodied, highly aromatic, and very dry, with a very pronounced juniper note. No artificial flavorings or botanicals can be added after the distillation process. Plymouth gin is a lighter, more citrus-forward style that originated in the port of Plymouth on the English Channel. Today, only one distiller has the right to produce it, Plymouth, Coates & Co. Old Tom gin, which is most famously included in the Tom Collins cocktail, is a sweeter version that includes simple syrup, or sometimes licorice, before distillation and is occasionally before release. New Western Dry gin is modern style with less dominant flavors of juniper.

Instead, supporting botanicals and flavors take center stage. The biggest difference between distilled gin and redistilled gin relates to the base alcohol. The former distills a lower-ABV fermented alcohol, which can be derived from grains, sugar beets, potatoes, sugar cane, or grapes. The latter uses an already distilled spirit (usually neutral grain) as the base. A Dutch Genever barrel. Image: Flickr / cheeseslave

Battle Scene from the 80 Years War. Image: Flickr / David Teniers the Younger "Gin Lane," an etching used by the British government as anti-gin propaganda during the Gin Craze. Image: Wikimedia / Samuel Davenport A bottle of Hendrick's gin. Image: Flickr / TheDeliciousLife

A mash tun. Image: Wikimedia / Kernel Saunters “Dutch Courage” and “Mothers Ruin” are two of gin’s most famous alter egos, it’s an ingredient in many classic or modern classic cocktails. Originally touted for its medical benefits gin has attracted a worldwide following. What was once a local “medicine” is now produced around the planet, with everyones interpretation being slightly different. A simple gin and tonic is my go-to cocktail once I’ve finished a shift behind the bar.

Beyond the classic “G&T” there is so much going on inside each bottle of gin that there are many different cocktail varieties where gin truly shines. Summer is coming and so is gin’s next big move! I’m here to clue you in on what this spirit is, where it comes from, and how you can use it behind the bar. Gin is a white spirit made from neutral grain spirit, which has been distilled one final time in a pot still with a mixture of botanicals. According to EU law the predominant flavor of gin must be juniper, and whilst many gin producers around the world follow these guidelines in order to be allowed to sell their product on the... Although, in gin, juniper is omnipresent.

Gin has a long, winding history. Through the years it has earned nicknames such as “Dutch Courage” and “Mothers Ruin.” Gin is actually an evolved version of the Dutch drink “Genever.” The earliest record we have of what we’d call... It wasn’t until the 17th Century that gin was widely popular in Europe. The British government allowed unlicensed gin production at the tail end of the 17th century and heavily taxed imported spirits resulting in what has become known as the gin craze. After a few attempts over several decades, the government brought this under control, but gin had already been planted as part of British identity. British troops living abroad in tropical colonies added gin to their quinine beverage (then the only known prevention for malaria) to mask the bitter flavors.

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