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BEHIND THE LIQUID: BOTANICALS AND THE WORLD OF GIN

The gin boom shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon – so how can you make the most of this versatile liquid? The key to creating great mixed drinks is understanding and complementing the flavours within your base spirit. Join us as we dive into the world of gin and botanicals and find out how you can use this knowledge to create incredible gin cocktails.

What are botanicals?

Gin is produced by combining a neutral grain spirit with juniper berries and other ingredients, such as fruits, seeds and spices, to flavour the liquid. These additional ingredients are known as botanicals. The aromatic compounds found in botanicals are absorbed when immersed in the spirit, or by the vapour as it passes through during the distillation process.

The exact combination of botanicals is meticulously selected by the Master Distiller to produce a perfect balance of flavours unique to their gin. This process will ultimately define the overall character of the final product.

The importance of juniper

A member of the cypress family, juniper is to gin what grapes are to wine: indispensable! Not only are juniper berries the core botanical found in all gins but by law, they must be the principal flavour in order to classify a spirit as gin.

The main flavour is produced by the oil found in the seeds of the berry. This flavour is fragrant and spicy with tasting notes of lavender, camphene and pine.

Other common botanicals

There are hundreds of different botanicals used to make gin, but here are a selection of the most common:

Now let’s use this knowledge…

Knowing and understanding the different botanicals and flavours in your chosen gin is key when it comes to creating better, more balanced serves. It also allows you to be more inventive, experimenting with new ingredients and garnishes to produce a truly unique experience for your customers.

So, let’s put this into practice and take a look at some serves which really highlight the botanicals in the world-famous Tanqueray gin.


Gin: Tanqueray London Dry

Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, angelica and liquorice

Flavour: Distinctive piney juniper and faint lemon zest

Perfect serve: Tanqueray and Tonic with Lemon and Rosemary

The combination of lemon and rosemary perfectly complements the notes of liquorice and lemon zest.

RECIPE

50ml of TANQUERAY LONDON DRY GIN

150ml Fresh tonic water

Lemon wedge

Sprig of rosemary

METHOD

Add ice to a Copa glass and pour in TANQUERAY LONDON DRY GIN using a jigger

Add fresh tonic water

Stir

Finish with a wedge of lemon and a sprig of rosemary to garnish

16.9 grams of alcohol*(according to mls of the serve)


Gin: Tanqueray No. Ten

Botanicals: Tanqueray’s four base botanicals; juniper, coriander, angelica root and liquorice, together with whole fresh citrus and chamomile

Flavour: Citrus and zesty notes

Perfect serve: Tanqueray No. Ten Martini

The pink grapefruit garnish draws out the subtle hints of citrus and chamomile.

RECIPE

50 ml of TANQUERAY NO TEN GIN

10 ml Dry vermouth

Pink grapefruit twist

METHOD

Stir TANQUERAY NO TEN and dry vermouth together

Strain into a chilled martini glass

Garnish with a twist of pink grapefruit

17.7 grams of alcohol*(according to mls of the serve)


Gin: Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla

Botanicals: Tanqueray’s four base botanicals; juniper, coriander, angelica root and liquorice, together with bittersweet Seville oranges and orange blossom flavours.

Flavour: Tangy and sweet profile

Perfect serve: Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla Negroni

For those looking to create a sumptuous evening aperitif, TANQUERAY Flor de Sevilla Negroni is the perfect serve and really brings out those tangerine notes and hints of juniper and coriander in the gin.

RECIPE

25ml TANQUERAY FLOR DE SEVILLA

25ml Red herbal liqueur

25ml Sweet vermouth

Seville orange slice/peel

METHOD

Add ingredients to an Old-Fashioned glass full of ice.

Stir to mix.

Garnish with a Seville orange and serve.

15.8 grams of alcohol*(according to mls of the serve)


Gin: Tanqueray Rangpur

Botanicals:Tanqueray’s four base botanicals; juniper, coriander, angelica root and liquorice, together with Rangpur lime (an exotic citrus fruit originating from India), ginger and bay leaves

Flavour: A light, easy-drinking gin with a sharp citrus twist

Perfect serve: Tanqueray Rangpur and Tonic

With its distinct citrus flavour, this gin is best paired with premium tonic water and a generous wedge of lime.

RECIPE

50mls TANQUERAY RANGPUR GIN

150ml Premium tonic water

Lime wedge

METHOD

Fill a copa glass to the top with quality cubed ice

Pour in TANQUERAY RANGPUR GIN

Follow with fresh, premium tonic water

Add a wedge of fresh lime to garnish

16.3 grams of alcohol*(according to mls of the serve)

(*One standard drink contains 8g of alcohol)

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