Gin is one of the UK’s all-time favourite spirits, a star of many classic cocktails and the iconic G&T.
Whether you are stocking up on your favourite or are looking for something new, browse our exceptional range of craft and flavoured gins below...
It appears in a variety of styles made from a wide selection of herbs, spices, flowers, and fruits.
While each brand offers their own unique take, all gins provide a traditional botanical base of juniper, coriander, angelica root, and orris root.
The spirit is created by fermenting and distilling natural grains such as wheat or barley. Once distilled, this liquid is then infused with a blend of botanicals, natural flavours, and water until the perfect balance is created.
Crucially, the predominant flavour must be juniper or, by law, the drink cannot be defined as gin. The final product is also legally required to contain at least 37.5% pure alcohol in the total volume of liquid (that's the 'A.B.V.' you can see on the label).
“London Dry” is what comes to mind for many when they think of gin and is the most common blend served in Gin & Tonics. Popular brands include Burleigh's, Gordon’s, Greenall’s, and Bombay Sapphire.
In recent years, there’s been a boom in the popularity of pink gins and innovative flavoured varieties. Pink gin infuses a classic base with fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, and red currants to create a sweet treat that’s as easy on the eye as it is on the palate.
Popular brands are now also producing a vast array of flavoured gins, with possibilities ranging from White Peach, Cherry, and Parma Violet to Gooseberry, Marshmallow, and Jasmine & Rose.
Read More
- The most popular gin cocktail is a martini
- Unlike much of the produce we consume today, very few of the juniper berries used to create gin are artificially cultivated – most grow naturally in the wild
- The country with the world's highest per-capita gin consumption is the Philippines, with an estimated 25 million cases consumed annually
- It’s rumoured that the royal family polish their silverware with gin
Though Brits have adopted gin as a national treasure, the spirit actually originates from Holland.
It was first created in the 1600s when a Dutch scientist developed a medicinal oil made from juniper berries. In order to make this treatment more palatable, it was mixed with a distilled spirit and a blend of botanicals – inadvertently creating an early form of gin known as “jenever.”
The first significant contact between the British and jenever was during the Thirty Years’ War in the early 17th century. British troops fought alongside the Dutch and soon started attributing their notable bravery to the jenever they drank before battle. As well as giving birth to the phrase “Dutch courage,” this meeting began an enduring love affair when British soldiers returned home bearing the nation’s soon-to-be-favourite tipple.
Does gin expire?
If unopened, a bottle of gin can last for years. Once it has been opened and oxygen is introduced to the gin, it is best to enjoy the bottle within a year.
What does “London Dry Gin” mean?
The term “London Dry,” far from telling you where a gin comes from, is a legal definition with certain requirements in place to ensure a high standard of quality.
London Dry Gin must be distilled with a neutral alcohol and natural botanicals, have no flavourings or colours added after distillation, and be bottled at no less than 37.5% ABV.
How do I drink gin?
Gin is most commonly enjoyed as part of a Gin & Tonic, made with roughly 50ml of gin to every 200ml of tonic (or whatever ratio suits your tastes).
There are a huge range of flavoured tonics that can enhance your favourite gin. If you want some tips on which gin goes with which tonic, check out our pairing guide here.
There are also plenty of classic gin cocktails for you to try, such as a Martini, Tom Collins, Gin Fizz, or Negroni.
Does gin freeze?
Gin doesn’t freeze because its alcohol content is too high – you can safely keep it in the freezer with no bursting bottles.