Gin is a fascinating and complex spirit, and the styles of gin vary greatly. A good professional bar should have a range of gin options. Here are the best choices within each gin category. No top flight bar should be without any of these. As a professional bartender, work with each of these to determine which gin works best in each cocktail. Part of the craft of professional bartending involves experimentation and nowhere is that more true than with the world of gin.
Only one gin in the world has its own category and that is the unique Plymouth gin. Plymouth was a favorite of officers in the British navy. Fruity, full bodied and eminently mixable, Plymouth is a must in any quality establishment and the only option for a pink gin. Avoid bars and restaurants that do not carry Plymouth gin that promote themselves as mixology havens. Lack of Plymouth gin is an easy indicator that the bar staff do not truly understand professional bartending or its requirements.More »
Old Tom was a style of gin that died out with prohibition. Essential to recreating many a classic cocktail, especially the Martinez, Old Tom can be hard to source. Look for Ransom Old Tom gin or Hayman's Old Tom gin for the best styles of Old Tom in the United States.More »
Genever is Dutch style gin, with a higher content of malt and a unique, almost whisky-like flavor. Only one genever comes to the United States, Bols genever, but luckily its the leading brand in the Netherlands. Creative mixologists will use Bols genever anywhere whiskies are called for or in variations on great drinks like the Holland Razor Blade.More »
The most crowded field in the world of gin is the London Dry Category. Dominated by big names like Bombay, Oxley,Tanqueray and Beefeater a quality bar should carry multiple options. If choosing only one London Dry, choose Beefeater, which is both the highest quality London Dry as well as being the most versatile. Try Beefeater or one of its other marques in a classic martini, gin and tonic or Last Word to truly see its versatility.More »
New American gins are an offshoot from the craft distilling movement in the United States. These are gins primarily designed with mixologists in mind and can have a range of interesting flavors. The best New American gins all hail from the Pacific Northwest, with Aviation, Dry Fly and Small's gin being the best of the best. Use these for new cocktails creations, try them with tonic or just sip them on the rocks to enjoy their interesting and unique flavor profiles.
1. Plymouth Gin
Only one gin in the world has its own category and that is the unique Plymouth gin. Plymouth was a favorite of officers in the British navy. Fruity, full bodied and eminently mixable, Plymouth is a must in any quality establishment and the only option for a pink gin. Avoid bars and restaurants that do not carry Plymouth gin that promote themselves as mixology havens. Lack of Plymouth gin is an easy indicator that the bar staff do not truly understand professional bartending or its requirements.More »
2. Old Tom Gin
Old Tom was a style of gin that died out with prohibition. Essential to recreating many a classic cocktail, especially the Martinez, Old Tom can be hard to source. Look for Ransom Old Tom gin or Hayman's Old Tom gin for the best styles of Old Tom in the United States.More »
3. Genever
Genever is Dutch style gin, with a higher content of malt and a unique, almost whisky-like flavor. Only one genever comes to the United States, Bols genever, but luckily its the leading brand in the Netherlands. Creative mixologists will use Bols genever anywhere whiskies are called for or in variations on great drinks like the Holland Razor Blade.More »
4. London Dry Gin
The most crowded field in the world of gin is the London Dry Category. Dominated by big names like Bombay, Oxley,Tanqueray and Beefeater a quality bar should carry multiple options. If choosing only one London Dry, choose Beefeater, which is both the highest quality London Dry as well as being the most versatile. Try Beefeater or one of its other marques in a classic martini, gin and tonic or Last Word to truly see its versatility.More »
5. New American Gin
New American gins are an offshoot from the craft distilling movement in the United States. These are gins primarily designed with mixologists in mind and can have a range of interesting flavors. The best New American gins all hail from the Pacific Northwest, with Aviation, Dry Fly and Small's gin being the best of the best. Use these for new cocktails creations, try them with tonic or just sip them on the rocks to enjoy their interesting and unique flavor profiles.