When it comes to mixing drinks with Botanist Gin, the possibilities are endless. The brand’s signature gin boasts 22 botanicals, such as juniper, meadowsweet, yarrow, coriander, and citrus, which create a subtle, smooth flavor profile perfect for a variety of cocktails.
Start with the classic botanical martini, which pairs Botanist with dry vermouth and an orange twist garnish. You can also craft a flavorful G&T with a citrusy garnish like a slice of cucumber or grapefruit.
If you’re feeling adventurous, opt for an original Botanist punch, which combines the gin with yuzu, honey syrup, a few drops of aromatic bitters, and soda water. For a more exciting twist, you can also muddle a few blackberries and add them to your cocktail.
No matter what you choose, Botanist Gin always makes for a delicious mix.
What does Botanical mean in gin?
Botanical is a term used to describe the botanicals (plants or plant-based materials such as fruits, herbs, spices, seeds, and other flavorings) used to flavor gin. These botanicals are charged into the gin’s production process either first (in maceration, which is steeping in spirit) or last (in a ‘stripping basket’, where the botanicals rest on the surface of the spirit, transferring flavor).
Examples of common botanicals found in gin include juniper, angelica root, coriander seed, citrus peel, cardamom, green peppercorns, and orris root. Each of these ingredients can be used individually or blended together with other botanicals to create unique gin profiles and flavors.
Whats the difference between dry gin and botanical gin?
Dry gin and botanical gin are both types of gin, but there are important differences between them. Dry gin is a traditional style of gin that is distilled from wheat or barley and then redistilled with juniper berries, which makes it a dryer style of gin.
This is the most common type of gin and can be found in many different classic cocktails. Botanical gin, on the other hand, is made with a base spirit such as wheat or barley and then redistilled with herbs and spices.
This gives it a more complex flavor profile from the different botanicals and makes it a more modern type of gin often found in many craft mixology bars. Botanical gins also tend to be higher in alcohol content which makes them more suitable for sipping and enjoying.
While there are certainly similarities between the two styles of gin, it is important to understand the differences between them so that you can choose the right gin for your next cocktail.
Can you drink gin straight?
Yes, you can drink gin straight. While some people may prefer to mix their gin, many enjoy the unique flavor of pure gin. If you choose to drink gin straight, it is best to chill it first. Adding some ice cubes or chilling the bottle in the fridge beforehand is usually recommended.
It also depends on the type of gin and individual preference. Some people enjoy the distinct flavor of London Dry Gin and might choose to drink it neat. However, some gins like Old Tom may be a bit too strong to enjoy straight.
Additionally, if you don’t regularly drink straight spirits, you may find that it is easier to start by mixing your gin before progressing to drinking it neat.
What are the 4 types of gin?
The four main categories of gin are London Dry Gin, Plymouth Gin, Old Tom Gin, and Genever Gin.
London Dry Gin is a type of gin that’s distilled with botanicals and typically has a dry, subtle taste. Popular botanicals used in London Dry Gin include juniper, coriander, angelica root, orange peel, and orris root.
This type of gin is known for its clean, crisp flavor and is a popular choice when making gin and tonic cocktails.
Plymouth Gin is named after the English port city of Plymouth, and it was created in the late 18th century. It is a gin that is made with more neutral grains than other gins and typically uses a blend of seven botanicals, including juniper berries, licorice, orange peel, cassia, nutmeg, coriander, and angelica.
Plymouth Gin is slightly sweeter than London Dry Gin, with a milder flavor.
Old Tom Gin is a sweet type of gin that was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. This type of gin is sweetened using whisky or sugar, giving it a distinct sweetness and making it a popular choice for creating rickey cocktails.
Genever Gin is the original style of gin, dating back to the 1650s. It is made from a malted barley base, which derives from a process of mashing and fermenting malt wine, and is flavored with juniper, caraway, aniseed, and sweet fennel.
Genever has a strong juniper flavor, but is not as citrusy as the other styles of gin. It is popularly used in cocktails and mixed drinks, such as gin and tonics.
Is the botanist a London Dry Gin?
No, the Botanist is not a London Dry Gin. It is an Islay dry gin, produced in the heart of Scotland’s isle of Islay. Master distiller Jim McEwan oversees the production of The Botanist, which combines 22 types of botanicals including hand-picked herbs, flowers, trees, and berries.
Unlike London dry gins which rely solely on juniper as its botanical, The Botanist uses nine of the traditional juniper-berries as its core botanical, but also includes gentian root, heather, cherry blossom, and peat-smoked water from the Islay bog.
The Botanist is double-distilled in a Carter-Head still, which has a distinctive squat onion shape, to impart more character and a more delicate finish to the spirit. The Botanist has a unique flavor profile and is versatile enough to be enjoyed straight up, in cocktails, or as the perfect ingredient for a sophisticated gin and tonic.
Is Dry gin better?
It largely comes down to personal preference. Some people may enjoy the slightly bitter, herbal notes of a dry gin, while others might prefer the floral and citrus aroma of a citrus or floral gin. In general, dry gin is the original style of gin and it is generally the most versatile type of gin for use in cocktails.
But if you’re looking for something more aromatic for your martinis or gimlets, a sweet or fruity gin might be more to your taste. Ultimately, the choice of gin comes down to personal preference and the type of cocktail you’re making.
What botanicals go well with gin?
Gin is a spirit with a long history based on juniper, so it typically works well with other botanicals that complement its herbal, floral flavor. These could include coriander, orris root, orange peel, licorice root, cinnamon, nutmeg, angelica root, cardamom, almonds, dried fruit or even herbs like lavender, rosemary, sage and thyme.
You may even find gins that have been infused with chocolate, vanilla, tea, or even peppers to add complexity and depth of flavor. It’s all up to the distiller and their willingness to experiment with interesting combinations of botanicals – so the options are nearly limitless.
What herbs go in gin?
There are a variety of herbs and botanicals that can be used to make gin. The most common botanicals used for making gin include juniper berries, coriander, cardamom, angelica root, orris root, licorice root, lemon peel, orange peel, cinnamon, and cassia bark.
Depending on the recipe, other herbs may also be added, such as cubeb berries, star anise, and verbena. The herbs and botanicals chosen can give gin its unique flavor and taste, as each of these ingredients adds a unique note to the finished spirit.
How do you add botanicals to gin?
Adding botanicals to gin is a process that involves steeping herbs and spices (botanicals) in a neutral spirit, which then take on the characteristics of the botanical used. But the most popular is maceration.
This involves steeping the botanicals in the spirit for a set amount of time to allow the flavours to infuse and develop. Some distillers even use a vacuum to speed up the process. After maceration, the spirit and botanicals are filtered and blended together to create the desired gin.
The addition of botanicals to gin is a complex and creative process, where distillers can experiment with different flavour combinations. Common botanicals used in gin include juniper, coriander, orris root, and citrus peels, but there are many more that can be used, including herbs and spices such as, fennel, angelica root, cardamom, and cassia bark.
It is important to note that botanicals can have varying effects on gin, so experimentation with different combinations is key. As well as adding flavour, botanicals also play an important role in the colour and texture of the finished product.
When choosing the botanicals, distillers must also consider their source, as only high-quality botanicals will produce the desired results.
What is Tanqueray gin made out of?
Tanqueray gin is made from a four-step distillation process that blends together botanicals sourced from all over the world. It starts with a base of grain spirit made from wheat, and then the spirit is distilled with four main botanicals, including juniper, coriander, angelica, and liquorice.
These four botanicals give Tanqueray its unique flavor, with juniper delivering a piney punch and coriander providing a subtle citrus and spice flavor. The master distiller then adds additional botanicals, including herbal selections from the Mediterranean, sweet and bitter orange, and delightfully fragrant chamomile — all distilled together to give the gin its distinctive floral aroma and character.
After aging, the gin is cut down to its perfectly balanced dryness with crystal-clear cold water, creating a classic London dry gin, perfect for an exciting range of gin-based cocktail drinks.
Does gin have health benefits?
Yes, gin can have health benefits due to the inclusion of certain botanicals that are beneficial to your health. While the alcohol content of gin is not the healthiest component, some of the botanicals can help to reduce inflammation, aid digestion, reduce stress and anxiety, and even provide a nutritional boost.
For example, juniper berries, which are the main ingredient in gin, are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. While juniper berries alone do not provide significant health benefits, they can be supplemented with other botanicals such as coriander, ginger, lemon, lime, cardamom, and licorice for additional nutrition.
The health benefits of essences and tonics used to make gin and tonic cocktails are also worth considering. Tonic water contains quinine, which has long been used to treat fevers and malaria in tropical regions.
Additionally, some tonics contain herbal extracts such as peppermint and spearmint, which can help with cramps, headaches, and digestive issues.
Finally, it is important to remember that moderate consumption can be beneficial to your health. Therefore, if you want to enjoy the occasional gin and tonic or martini, you can do so in moderation and still enjoy the potential health benefits.
What gives gin its flavor?
Gin is a distilled alcoholic beverage that is flavored with juniper berries, along with a variety of other botanicals. Juniper berries are a type of conifer, native to the northern hemisphere, and are the main flavoring component of gin.
They tend to have a very piney, slightly citrusy flavor. Other common botanicals used to flavor gin can include coriander, angelica root, orange and lemon peel, cinnamon, licorice root, almond, and cardamom, among other spices and herbs.
Each type of gin will have its own unique blend of botanicals, and the flavor profile can vary widely depending on the type of gin and the specific botanicals used. For example, London Dry Gin tends to be very juniper-forward, while Old Tom and Genever gins are more mellow, and flavored with a variety of mild spices and herbs.
A combination of the juniper berries and other botanicals creates the distinctive taste of gin.
What goes good with gin as a mixer?
When it comes to choosing the perfect mixer to pair with gin, there are plenty of wonderful options. The most popular and accessible choice is tonic water, which is a classic and delicious way to enjoy a gin and tonic.
Other options include soda water, lemonade, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, ginger beer, and even ginger ale. Some other ideas include mixing gin with white wine, pomegranate juice, aperol, amaro, sherry, grapefruit juice, tomato juice, and even a splash of vegetable juice.
Experimenting with different combinations can help you find your personal favorite. No matter which mixer you choose, adding a few herbs or fruits like strawberries or oranges can really help bring out the botanical flavors of the gin.
Is Botanist gin good for cocktails?
Yes, Botanist Gin is an excellent gin for cocktails! Its bright and herbaceous flavor makes it a great base for many cocktails and adds a unique flavor. Its botanicals are expertly blended, creating a nuanced and complex flavor profile that can stand up well in even the most complicated of cocktails.
Additionally, its relative affordability compared to other premium gins makes Botanist Gin a great choice for creating well-crafted and delicious cocktails that won’t break your budget. For these reasons, Botanist Gin is considered by many to be one of the best gins available for making cocktails.
Is The Botanist Gin good for gin and tonic?
Yes, The Botanist Gin is a great choice for a gin and tonic. The gin is made from 22 locally harvested and hand-selected botanicals from the island of Islay in Scotland. The resulting blend is a flavorful, aromatic spirit with warm, spicy, and earthy notes of apple, juniper, lemon, heather, rose, thyme, and other botanicals.
The combination of these botanicals makes for a great gin for a gin and tonic. The combination of the natural botanical flavors and the sweet, citrus tartness of the tonic water make for a great tasting drink.
It is also a versatile gin, so it pairs well with different tonic waters and garnishes, allowing you to customize your drink to personal taste preferences.
What style of gin is botanist?
Botanist is a London Dry style gin, made using just nine botanicals. It’s distilled in the Islay region of Scotland, and known for its complexity and intensely herbal aroma. The botanicals include juniper, coriander, angelica, fresh oranges and lemons, cassia bark, orris root, elderflowers, and beeswax.
This combination creates a flavor that is delicate but complex and surprisingly deep. Botanist is also made using a special distillation process that involves carbon-filtering the gin through a “swan neck” flask.
This results in a gin that is clean, crisp, and vibrant. The result is a gin that is highly regarded by mixologists and cocktail connoisseurs due its unique flavor profile and incredibly smooth finish.
How good is Hendricks gin?
Hendricks gin is a fantastic choice for a high-quality spirit. It has won numerous awards, including a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits competition, as well as being voted the best premium gin in a blind-taste test in 2018.
Critics have praised its blend of 11 botanicals, which include juniper, rose petals, cucumber and angelica. This produces a unique flavor and allows Hendricks to have a complex but smooth finish. It is renowned for its versatility, whether it’s enjoyed neat or incorporated into a cocktail.
The classic and original Hendricks gin is an ideal choice for those who prefer a drier and juniper-forward gin, with floral and cucumber notes giving it an intriguing complexity and depth.
How many carbs are in a Botanist gin?
There are 0 grams of carbohydrates in a single (1.5 oz) serving of Botanist Gin. Botanist Gin is a dry gin made with 9 different botanicals. In addition to juniper, it contains the following botanicals: bramble leaf, meadowsweet, cassia bark, coriander seed, meadowsweet, orange peel, lemon peel, angelica root, and orris root.
These botanicals are all naturally low in carbohydrates, which means that Botanist Gin is an excellent choice for those seeking to maintain a low-carbohydrate diet.
