Description

Gin is essentially a clear distilled grain spirit flavored with various "natural botanicals. These natural botanicals vary from brand to brand and the different combinations give each its distinct character. Juniper is always predominant but other ingredients may include coriander, sage, cassia, nutmeg, rosemary, caraway and angelica root. Distilled gin is made by redistilling white grain spirit which has been flavoured with juniper berries. Compound gin is made by flavoring neutral grain spirit with juniper berries without redistilling.

The spirit base of Gin is primarily grain (usually wheat or rye), which results in a light-bodied spirit. The chief flavoring agent in Gin is the highly aromatic blue-green berry of the juniper, a low-slung evergreen bush (genus Juniperus) that is commercially grown in northern Italy, Croatia, the United States and Canada A well-made gin will be relatively dry compared to other spirits.

Gin is often mixed in cocktails with sweeter ingredients like tonic water to balance this dryness.
London Dry Gin is the dominant English style of Gin. As a style it lends itself particularly well to mixing.

Plymouth Gin is relatively full-bodied (when compared to London Dry Gin). It is clear, slightly fruity, and very aromatic.

Old Tom Gin is the last remaining example of the original lightly sweetened gins that were so popular in 18th-century England.

Genever or Hollands is the Dutch style of Gin. Genever is distilled from a malted grain mash similar to that used for whisky. has a drier palate and lighter body. Some genevers are aged for one to three years in oak casks.

How to select

Look for gin which is high-proof, light-bodied, and clean with a minimal amount of congeners (flavor compounds) and flavoring agents.

Culinary Uses

· The best-known gin cocktail is the Martini, traditionally made with gin and dry vermouth
· Other popular cocktails are Gimlet(gin and lime juice), Gin and juice( with orange juice) and Gin Fizz.

How to store

Store gin in a cool dry place,away from direct sunlight.

Health benefits

· Drinking moderate amount of any kind of alcohol is said to be very good for your health.
· One of the topmost Gin Health benefits is that it is said to be the best natural remedy for arthritis. And this gin is prepared from Gin soaked raisins.
· They have a diuretic action and here Gin helps in passing more water than any other alcohol.