Gin is a popular alcoholic beverage around the world. It’s particularly popular in the UK. Rather than being used as booze, it is widely used as the key ingredient of the most sought-after summer drinks. Due to its exquisite taste, exclusive flavor, and popularity, people often wonder what Gin tastes like.
Gin has a strong citrus scent and a pine-like taste, accompanied by a kick of mild bitterness. The pine-like taste comes from juniper berry, which is the signature ingredient of Gin. The sour taste is due to the usage of many herbs and lime peels throughout the process.
In this article, I am going to dwell further on how Gin tastes. Many people hesitate to drink Gin straight, but that shouldn’t be the case. If you are not into neat alcohol, I will talk about some ingredients that go exceptionally well with Gin. I will also mention some popular Gin cocktails. So, without further ado, let’s get right to it.
How Does Gin Taste?
Gin’s taste can vary according to a wide variety of brands and flavors. After fermentation of grains, typically wheat or barley, botanicals such as juniper, coriander, almond, etc., are distilled with the Gin. The most commonly used herb is juniper berries. The second most frequently used herb is coriander.
Gin has a pine-like taste with a hint of citrus scent and a typically intense alcoholic bloom. Pine has a taste and flavor like herbal ingredients and a sweet perfume-like flavor. This taste comes from the distillation of botanical ingredients, where juniper berries play a significant role.
The sour flavor when you take the first sip comes from lemon peels. Gin manufacturers consistently use lime peels as a second ingredient to incorporate in their recipe.
Besides these two, cinnamon, cardamom, and coriander leaves are also used frequently. Some manufacturers use olive to give a twist to the citrus flavor.
Gin is unlike most other alcoholic drinks in terms of taste, flavor, and history. Gin has a rich history starting as a medicinal liquor. In the era of malaria and scurvy, Gin with tonic water was used to treat the ill. Although that’s not the case nowadays, Gin is highly popular as a summer cocktail or to drink straight. I personally prefer cocktails. I’m a big fan of the Gin and Tonic.
Can You Drink Gin Straight?
You can always drink Gin straight. In fact, many Gins are made to be consumed straight. If it’s your first time, you might be disappointed due to its water-like appearance. But when you take the first sip, you’ll notice it’s very distinctive to other drinks. Nothing compares to the citrus-like smell and bitter taste of a quality Gin. When you swallow, you’ll likely notice the kick of the strong alcoholic presence.
To get the most out of your experience, make sure to have your Gin in a tasting glass rather than goblets or champagne glasses. Tasting glasses shape like tulip flowers with a narrower circumference at the top. The narrow top gathers the drink in a smaller space. Thus, concentrating the flavors and enhancing the aroma.
Sip slowly and swallow a mouthful. Gin, just like any other alcoholic drink, is better served chilled. I recommend doing Gin on the rocks with a nice amount of ice. If you want to enjoy pure and raw flavors of Gin, avoid using any garnish. Garnishes enhance flavors, but at the same time, they can diminish the natural flavors of Gin.
Put the ice cubes in the glass first. Pour Gin over it slowly. Let every bit of the drink reach each crevice in between the ice cubes. Stir a little to loosen the ice cubes from each other and chill the beverage. This will slightly dilute the Gin and give you a better taste.
What Goes Well with Gin?
As I said before, Gin is more popular as a cocktail ingredient. You can go wild with the cocktail recipe. There are no rules. Here are some popular ingredients that go well with Gin:
Vermouth
Vermouth is a type of aromatized wine. And it’s most popularly used with Gin to make a Martini. The Martini cocktail has just a touch of Vermouth and plays a sweet harmony with Gin.
The Martini cocktail recipe goes way back. Even after hundreds of years, it is still the same. Nowadays, there are lots of different types of Gins as well as Vermouths. All of them yield nothing less than delicacies.
Tonic Water
Gin and tonic used to be the only cocktail back in the day. And this cocktail was not consumed for pure amusement purposes. When malaria was rampant, and the only cure was thought to be quinine, Gin and tonic water were a mix used to ease the bitter taste of quinine medicine.
When mixed together, the tonic water and Gin’s aromatic flavors dial down the bitterness, making it easier to consume.
Surprisingly, it’s still a thing to this day. There are varieties of tonic water available in the market, and they play an essential role in the cocktail mix. You should try a few different tonic waters to see which you prefer.
Lemon
Lemon peel is a popular garnish to add to your Gin and tonic. British soldiers popularized this drink in the colonial days, knowing that Vitamin C prevents scurvy, and lemon is a rich source of vitamin C. A slice of lemon or two mixed with Gin goes a long way. Gin and tonic is still considered a trendy Gin cocktail.
Gin has a natural sour flavor due to the usage of lime zests. A squeezed slice of lemon enhances the citrus touch. If you still haven’t tried, this cocktail is worth a go.
Soda Water
Soda water is the staple of alcoholic cocktails. Many prefer soda water over tonic water or because it does not enhance or strengthen the drink’s taste, unlike tonic water.
Just add some soda water with Gin. You will love how the fizzy texture of soda water blends into the aroma of the Gin.
Pineapple Juice
The sweet and sour flavors of pineapple are not only for non-alcoholic summers. If you are a fruit lover, a well-balanced mixture of pineapple juice, crushed ice, and Gin can be just the thing you need.
Some Delicious Gin Cocktails
Gin is more popular as a cocktail rather than as neat liquor. Let’s see some of the most widely popular Gin cocktails:
Gin Martini
Not only as a Gin cocktail, but the Martini is probably the most popular cocktail in the world. Even if you don’t drink alcohol, I’m sure you have heard the name. James Bond popularized the Vodka Martini, shaken but not stirred.
There are many varieties of Martini that use vodka or other liquors. But the real Martini that we all love is made from Gin. And it’s simple. Just mix Gin with a touch of Vermouth, and you’re good to go.
Negroni
Negroni is of Italian origin, but it’s popular worldwide. It’s usually consumed before dinner. Many do not like it initially as it tastes pretty bitter. But once you drink it a few times, you are very likely to love it. It is made from Gin, sweet Vermouth, Campari, a traditional Italian liquor, and garnished with orange zest.
Gimlet
Gimlet is often considered a summer alternative to the Martini. It’s just as simple as a Martini with only two ingredients. Mix Gin and lime juice with a 2:1 ratio, and there you have it.
Conclusion
Many people have never tried Gin due to age, health reasons, social, cultural, or religious beliefs. To ease their curiosity, I have discussed what Gin tastes like and why. I have also added some ingredients that taste superb when mixed with Gin and talked about some popular Gin cocktails. Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.
