The alcoholic beverage was created by monks and mystics across Europe, particularly in southern Italy (Salerno), the Netherlands, and Flanders, to offer aqua vita from grain and grape distillates. It became a product in the spirits industry then after. After the introduction of jenever, a Dutch and Belgian liquor that was initially a medicine, Gin became popular in England. Even though this development had been going on since the early 17th century, it became prevalent after William of Orange’s Glorious Revolution in 1688 and subsequent import restrictions on French brandy. This beverage seems to have become England’s national alcoholic beverage.
Gin’s Active Ingredients
Take a look at the components that make this spirit so unique. They are as follows:
Juniper
The juniper berry, a classic flavouring in this spirit, is the only thing that all gins have in common. Distillers utilise junipers in their mash because it’s a key ingredient in this beverage and helps bring out the traditional pine notes. While most distillers enjoy mixing juniper berries with numerous other spices to help bring out more complex and sophisticated flavours, the star of the show is juniper, which holds everything together.
Botanicals
Every distiller, like a chef, prefers to flavour their beverage uniquely. They each have their blend of spices and botanicals to help reawaken their spirits. Coriander seeds, orange and lemon peel, cinnamon, almonds, nutmeg, and ginger are some of the most commonly used botanicals.
The Master Distiller
Aside from juniper and other botanicals, the distillers are the most critical component of each batch of this drink. When it comes to putting it all together, they’re the Masterchef. They decide which botanicals go into each batch and ensure that the flavour profile remains consistent.
How Is It Made?
Take a look into the procedure of making the beverage and how it works:
Mashing
Distilling various agricultural products, such as rye, barley, wheat, or corn, yields the base spirit. A good mash or cooking of the grains used as the drink’s base is the foundation of all good spirits. As a result, it is most commonly used in spirits because it provides a strong foundation for all the great flavours added later.
Fermentation
The next step in the process is fermentation, which involves adding Distillers Yeast to the mash. This yeast strain aids in the metabolisation of sugar in the mash and the production of alcohol. Distillers will carefully adjust fermentation temperatures to ensure everything runs smoothly to help take things to the next level. This procedure can take anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks to complete.
Distillation
Distillation occurs in Copper Pot Stills, which allow distillers to remove all solids from the liquid and prepare it for flavouring, which is arguably the best part. Solids can significantly impact the final product’s flavour.
Flavouring
Various botanicals are incorporated once the distillation process is complete. This beverage is just vodka with a different flavour, and this is where they start to differentiate themselves. Here, the distiller separates the vodka and soaks it overnight in various botanicals selected with care. To make this work, distillers must use the proper proportions to ensure that flavours blend rather than clash.
Conclusion
This alcoholic beverage has a complex flavour profile that is dry, herbaceous, and fresh. With the addition of other botanicals such as lemon peel, coriander, and pepper, you have a delightful drink that dances on your tongue. Gin is a fantastic drink that can get to places other white spirits can’t. Depending on your preferences, you can mix it in various ways. In a nutshell, this beverage is a fun, fabulous, and delectable spirit.
