What is gin?
It's a liquor that has been around for centuries, and its popularity has only grown recently. It's made from juniper berries, which give it its unique flavor, as well as other botanicals such as coriander, angelica root, and orris root. There are many different types available today, each with its own unique flavor profile.
One of the things that makes this liquor so popular is its versatility. Enjoy it on its own or mixed with a variety of other liquors to create delicious cocktails. The spirit also pairs well with a wide range of foods, making it the perfect drink to enjoy at any time of day.
Are you ready to find your new favorite drink? Read on to learn everything you need to know about drinking different types of brandy-gins.
Irish Liquor
Irish gin is a type of liquor from Ireland. It comes from a grain-neutral recipe, and it's flavored with botanicals. The most common botanicals used in Irish gin are juniper, coriander, and orange peel.
What Does It Taste Like?
Irish liquor has a light, floral flavor with a hint of citrus. You could compare it to a dry white wine.
Pairing Suggestions
Irish liquor pairs well with light, citrusy foods. Try it with shrimp or a light salad.
How Do I Drink It?
Irish liquor is great neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail. The best glass to drink Irish liquor out of is a chilled martini glass.
Dry England Brandy
Dry English liquor is a type of gin from England. It is also a grain-neutral spirit. It has a crisp, clean flavor profile that's well balanced.
What Does It Taste Like?
Dry English has a famously sharp flavor that's best described as crispy citrus. You'll notice the distinct taste of an England liquor compared to other types.
Juniper berries are the main flavor, and they're strong and almost pungent. Fun fact; juniper berries are good for your health. They help regulate all sorts of bodily functions.
Pairing Suggestions
Dry English pairs well with cheese, cucumbers, and of course, seafood. Try it with a fresh fish filet, like Mahi Mahi.
How Do I Drink It?
There are a lot of ways to enjoy Dry English. You can mix it in a pink lemonade cocktail or enjoy it neat.
If you want to get fancy, try it in a martini with a twist of lemon. You can use this guide to make an irresistible fresh lemonade.
Scotland Liquor
Scotland liquor is a type of drink that's produced in Scotland. Flavored with cucumber and rose, the result is an irresistible smooth gin.
What Does It Taste Like?
Scotland liquor has a light, refreshing taste with floral notes. The cucumber and rose give it a slightly sweet flavor that's perfect for sipping on its own or in a cocktail.
Pairing Suggestions
Scotland liquor pairs well with light, fruity flavors. However, it also works well with bolder flavors like chocolate and coffee.
If you're looking for a light starter, try pairing Scotland liquor with smoked salmon or oysters. For the main course, try pairing it with chicken or fish.
And for a decadent dessert, try pairing it with dark chocolate or coffee. You can also try pairing it with a grapefruit soda or adding it to a cocktail.
How Do I Drink It?
Scotland liquor tastes great neat, over ice, or in a cocktail. If you're serving it neat, it's best to pour it into a glass with a wide bowl so that the aromas disperse.
For a refreshing summer cocktail, try mixing Scotland liquor with lemonade and mint. You can also try making a negroni with Scotland liquor, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Or go for a classic martini by mixing Scotland liquor with dry vermouth.
Amsterdam Liquor
Amsterdam liquor goes through a distillation process in the Netherlands. It has a juniper-forward flavor profile. The botanical lineup also includes coriander, orange peel, and cardamom.
How Does It Taste?
On the nose, Amsterdam liquor has strong juniper notes with a hint of citrus. The taste is dry and slightly sweet with a long finish. The botanical flavors are well-balanced and make for a very enjoyable drinking experience.
Pairing Suggestions
Amsterdam liquor pairs well with finger foods like olives or cucumber sandwiches. It also mixes well in light cocktails, especially those that feature tangy flavors like lemon.
How Do I Drink It?
Similar to other gins, Amsterdam doesn't need any mixers. This is one you'll want to try neat.
American Spirits
Get ready to change the way you think about gin! American offers a traditional dry style with untraditional flavor profiles. Immerse yourself in the savory tastes of cardamon, lavender, and sarsaparilla.
The drink also has lush, decadent notes that can spark your inner creativity. It's an intriguing drink that wakes up your mind and all of your 4,000 taste buds.
What Does It Taste Like?
On the nose, American gin has strong floral notes with a hint of spice. The taste is dry and slightly sweet with a long finish. The botanical flavors are well-balanced and tie together to create a soothing drink.
Pairing Suggestions
American gins pair well with light snacks and salty dishes. It also mixes well in cocktails, especially those that feature citrus or herbaceous flavors.
How Do I Drink It?
American brandies are great on the rocks. It is also great for spicing things up with a traditional tonic.
Bombay Brands
How is Bombay made? The Bombay Sapphire distillery in Hampshire, England, produces the Bombay liquor. Then water and alcohol from molasses create high-proof alcohol.
Bombay alcohol is then redistilled with botanicals. The botanicals used include:
- Juniper berries
- Coriander
- Lemon peel
- Cassia bark
- Orris root
- Cubeb berries
- Angelica root
- Licorice
- Almonds
These botanicals give Bombay gin its characteristic taste.
What Does It Taste Like?
Grainy pepper bread flavors come together when you're sipping on Bombay. There are faint hints of frittata too, and an almost tangy zap of afterbite.
The entire experience envelopes you in warm orange marmalade heaven. There's even a grassy undertone to tie it all together.
Pairing Suggestions
What foods go well with Bombay? The botanical flavors in Bombay make it a good choice for pairing with Indian cuisine.
How Do I Drink It?
There are a few ways to enjoy your Bombay. You can drink it neat, on the rocks, or with a mixer.
The big, bold flavors of Bombay make it a perfect candidate for classic cocktails. But you can also think outside of the box. Peanut butter cocktail combinations or bacon-flavored cocktails aren't out of the question!
Lime Liquor
Embrace a classic with a citrusy twist, lime liquor. It's a fun drink that has a distinct flavor and unique pairing opportunities.
What Does It Taste Like?
Are you looking for a subtle citrus flavor? Or something that will make your taste buds pucker? Lime liquor has a zesty kick that is perfect for those who enjoy a tart drink. It is also a great mixer for cocktails.
Pairing Suggestions
Lime gin pairs well with elderflower tonic or in a G&T with fresh lime. It can also work in cocktails such as liquor fizz or a Tom Collins.
How Do I Drink It?
For a refreshing drink, mix lime liquor with tonic water and garnish with a lime wedge. You can also add it to cocktails and drink it neat or on the rocks!
Botanivore Spirits
A botanivore liquor is a type of gin that has various botanicals. These botanicals can include but are not limited to herbs, spices, flowers, and fruits.
What Does It Taste Like?
The flavor of a botanivore liquor will depend on the botanicals used in the distillation process. Some common flavors include: floral, spicy, citrusy, and herbaceous.
Pairing Suggestions
Botanivore liquor pairs well with tonic water or in a G&T with fresh herbs. It can also work in cocktails such as Negroni or Martini.
How Do I Drink It?
For a refreshing drink, mix botanivore liquor with tonic water and garnish with fresh herbs. You can also add it to cocktails. However, it doesn't pair well with dark cocktails and instead works best with light or medium-bodied flavors.
Best Glasses for Serving Drinks
Gin is best served in a glass that allows the botanical aromas to be released. The most common glass for serving liquor is the Collins glass. This glass is tall and slender, which allows the drink to be mixed with soda water or tonic without losing any of the carbonation.
The next best glass for serving liquor is the highball glass. This glass is also tall and slender, but it has a wider opening at the top. This allows for more ice to be added to the drink, which is perfect for those who like cold drinks.
Finally, a coupe glass is also a good option for serving liquor. This glass is shorter and has a wide bowl. The wide bowl allows the aromas of the liquor to shine. The shape also allows you to serve the drink quickly.
Try Different Temperatures
Become a gin geek by trying different liquor at different temperatures. Start by chilling your liquor in the freezer for an hour. Then, pour two ounces into a glass and enjoy.
Next, try letting your drink sit at room temperature for an hour. Then drink it neat, savoring each sip.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of gin and different garnishes. The possibilities are endless!
Make the Perfect Cocktail
Now that you know the best glasses for serving liquor, it's time to learn how to make a traditional gin and tonic. Start by adding ice to your glass.
Then, add two ounces of liquor. Next, add four ounces of tonic water. Finally, garnish your drink with a lime wedge.
If you don't like limes, no worries. You're the boss when it comes to deciding what garnishes to use.
Best Garnishes for Cocktails
We've mentioned garnishing your drink with lime, but what else can you use? Here are some of our favorite garnishes for gin cocktails:
- Cucumber
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Orange peel
- Lemon peel
- Grapefruit peel
Make your drink extra fancy by using one of these garnishes. You can even make a combination garnish, such as cucumber slices with a thin lemon slice. The colors of the cucumber and lemon will make your drink pop, and the flavors compliment the dry liquor taste.
Mixing Wine With Liquor
There are many different ways that you can mix wine with liquor. You can use any type of white wine, but dry varieties are the best.
The main thing to remember is that you will still taste the flavors of your wine. If you're looking for an extra fruity experience, choose a rose wine or Moscato.
You can also try mixing liquor with deep-body red wines. But the flavors will combine to create an extra dry cocktail.
One way to mix wine with liquor is to create a carbonated cocktail. Simply add a shot of liquor to a glass of white wine. Then add a splash of fruit soda to this mixture.
You can also add some lemon and lime juice to brandy cocktails. If you want more flavor, garnish your cocktail with a strawberry.
Have Fun Drinking Gin
Gin is a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed in many different ways. So have fun with it! Take the time to find the perfect way to enjoy this drink for you.
Liquorama is happy to offer a wide selection of liquor and some of the best prices. Invite a friend over, grab your best glasses, and start tasting.
Take note of the different flavors and how they contrast with each garnish. For more tips, read another one of our blog posts all about drinking in style!