Who invented gin?

A Dutch physician who went by the name of Franciscus Sylvius is thought to be the 'inventor' of gin having started prescribing a juniper-based distilled spirit for medicinal purposes in 1550.

Who founded gin alcohol?

Its origin is attributed to Franciscus Sylvius, a 17th-century professor of medicine at the University of Leiden in Holland, who distilled the juniper berry with spirits to produce an inexpensive medicine having the diuretic properties of juniper-berry oil.

Who is the father of gin?

It was the Dutch with their Genever (or Jenever) who is known to be the birth-parent of gin, which is why Genever is often referred to as 'the father of gin'.

What country is known for gin?

Most gins are produced in the UK, with 1722 different Gins it's still the home of gin, despite the massive growth in Spain and the US and it's origins in the netherlands. With 702 different Gins the US ranks second. That's hardly a surprise, given the size of the country and it's experience in distilling.

How was gin originally made?

Gin as we know it today, is based on an old Dutch liquor called 'jenever', a blend of grain-based malt wine and a neutral spirit infused with Juniper, which was used to mask its harsh flavour.

The History of Gin

What country drinks the most gin?

Which country drinks the most gin? Per capita, people in the Philippines drink more gin than any other country in the world.

Is gin originally vodka?

While gin and vodka are both crafted as neutral spirits, gin has additional ingredients—namely juniper berries—to give it its signature pine flavour. In fact, gin can only be called a gin if it has juniper in it. Without this, the spirit is technically vodka.

What was gin originally called?

In the 16th Century, the Dutch created a medicinal alcohol using Juniper as the main ingredient. The name “Genever” derives from the Latin for juniper.

What is the oldest gin?

The World's Oldest Gin Recipe​

This authentic gin was based on the original 1689 recipe of the spirit made by the Dutch King William III (AKA William of Orange) after he was proclaimed King of England, Ireland and Scotland that very year.

Why is gin called dry?

"What's termed a 'dry gin' means there's no added (artificial) flavoring, the flavors are all natural from the botanicals," said our gin guide, plus no added sweeteners. "If the gin has sweetness, it's more than likely it contained a botanical like licorice."

How old is gin?

The origins of gin can be charted back to the Netherlands in the 13th Century. Back in those days, gin was far from its modern incarnation. Known as genever, the drink was made by distilling malt wine to around 50% ABV (alcohol by volume).

What are the 3 key ingredients in gin?

The primary three ingredients used in the majority of gins are juniper, coriander and angelica. Even though these are the most popular, there are hundreds of flowers, roots, fruits, berries and nuts that are used to create a palate for each gin that makes it distinctive.

What flavor is gin?

What Does It Taste Like? Gin has an herbal flavor marked with citrus and spices. Most gin is dry with a noticeable pine flavor because juniper dominates traditional recipes. The oldest styles tend to be sweeter while modern styles put less emphasis on the juniper and may focus on another herb, fruit, or spice flavor.

How many types of gin are there?

Gin is a flavoured spirit, but gin is not just juniper flavoured vodka.

Why is gin called Blue Ruin?

Blue Ruin is a robust, assertive, juniper-forward blend that will appeal to traditionally minded gin drinkers. Its name harkens back to an epithet for gin used by anti-spirits crusaders during the “Gin Craze” that followed England's Glorious Revolution.

Who made the first gin and tonic?

Modern, and oft-repeated, accounts of the earlier origins of gin and tonic credit its invention to officers in the Indian Army taking their daily bitter quinine dose washed down with gin and soda. Some date this as early as 1825, a mere five years after the first extraction of quinine.

Why was gin so cheap?

Duty paid on gin was 2 pence a gallon, as opposed to 4 shillings and nine pence on strong beer. The average person could not afford French wines or brandy, so gin took over as the cheapest, and most easily obtained, strong liquor.

Why was gin illegal?

Politicians and religious leaders argued that gin drinking encouraged laziness and criminal behavior. In 1729, Parliament passed a Gin Act which increased the retail tax to 5 shillings per gallon.

When was gin illegal?

Gin Acts of 1736 and 1751

Only two licences were ever taken out. The trade became illegal, consumption dipped but then continued to rise and the law was effectively repealed in 1743 following mass law-breaking and violence (particularly towards informers who were paid £5 to reveal the whereabouts of illegal gin shops).

Why is gin pink?

The pink color in this spirit derives from infusion of red and pink produce, spices, or bitters – or even added coloring and sweeteners. Popular ingredients like strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb, grape skins, rose petals, and red currents, can add color as well as fragrance and flavor to a pink gin.

Why is gin famous?

We can think of three main reasons for gin's popularity - taste, versatility and the sheer variety of gins. Gin is a really fabulous drink that reaches the parts other white spirits just cannot reach. The juniper that defines gin has a complex flavour profile - dry, piney, herby with a delicate freshness.

Why did soldiers drink gin?

This is also thought to be where the term 'Dutch courage' comes from, referencing Dutch soldiers reportedly enjoying a stiff drink of gin before a battle to bolster their morale.

Is gin the healthiest alcohol?

Gin has less sugar and fewer calories than some other liquors. If you already consume alcohol, gin may be a slightly healthier option. Be careful with mixers, however. They can make the sugar content of your drink skyrocket.

What are the three types of gin?

There are three main types of gin: distilled gin, redistilled gin, and compound gin. Distilled gin comes from a mash or fermented alcohol base. It's similar to the technique for whiskey production. Redistilled gin comes from the second distillation of a neutral spirit.

Which is stronger gin or whiskey?

Whiskey is another popular drink that starts at 40% ABV. Unlike gin and vodka, however, this famed alcohol tops at around 68% alcohol content, making it the least severe of the three in terms of proof.