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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