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WHAT IS GIN MADE OF?

HomeHM Gin Blog What Is Gin Made Of?
At its heart, gin is made of just a few things: a neutral base spirit, juniper berries, other botanicals and water. What makes each gin unique is how these ingredients are chosen, combined and distilled. Let’s break down exactly what goes into your glass.

1. The Base Spirit

Every gin starts with a neutral alcohol. This is a clean, high-strength spirit with very little flavour of its own, which gives the botanicals a blank canvas to work with. The choice of base affects the texture and feel of the finished gin, even though the flavour is meant to be subtle.
The base can be made from a range of ingredients, including:

Wheat, barley or rye are the most common.

Often giving a slightly softer, smoother character.

Can add a creamy mouthfeel.

Used by some producers for a subtly different profile.

2. Juniper Berries

Juniper is the one ingredient every gin must have. Despite the name, juniper “berries” are actually small seed cones from the juniper shrub. They deliver the resinous, piney and slightly peppery notes that define gin. Without enough juniper, a spirit simply isn’t gin.

3. Other Botanicals

Botanicals are the herbs, spices, fruits, roots and flowers that give each gin its personality. A typical recipe uses anywhere from a handful to more than a dozen. Common choices include:
Coriander seed: Adds a citrusy, slightly spicy note and is one of the most widely used botanicals after juniper.
Angelica root: An earthy botanical that helps bind and anchor the other flavours.
Orris root: A floral, powdery ingredient that helps preserve aromas.
Citrus peels: Lemon, orange or grapefruit add brightness and freshness.
Cassia or cinnamon: Brings a gentle warmth.
Liquorice root: Adds natural sweetness and body.
Cardamom, pepper and other spices: For extra depth and complexity.

What is gin?

Australian Native Botanicals

Australian distillers have embraced local ingredients, creating gins that taste unmistakably of home. Popular examples include lemon myrtle, finger lime, Tasmanian pepperberry, wattleseed, Davidson plum and native mint. These ingredients can add everything from lemony brightness to rich, peppery warmth.

4. Water

Water is used to dilute the spirit to bottling strength, usually somewhere between 37% and 47% ABV. Quality matters here. Clean, pure water helps keep the final gin clear and balanced.

How Is Gin Made?

There are a few ways to get botanical flavour into the spirit:
Pot Still Distillation

The botanicals are steeped in neutral spirit and water inside the still. The mixture is heated, and the flavoured vapours rise, are collected and condensed into gin. This is the traditional method behind most premium gins.

Instead of sitting in the liquid, the botanicals are placed in a basket above it. The hot vapour passes through them, picking up lighter, more delicate flavours.
Botanicals or flavourings are simply added to neutral spirit without redistilling. It’s a simpler approach, and generally produces a different result from fully distilled gin. Many distillers combine methods, distilling each botanical separately and blending the results to fine-tune the flavour.
What is Gin Made of?

Does Gin Contain Sugar?

Traditional London Dry gin contains no added sugar. Some other styles, such as Old Tom or flavoured gins, may include sweeteners. If you’re watching sugar, check the label or ask the producer.

What Gives Pink Gin Its Colour?

Pink and fruit-flavoured gins are typically coloured and flavoured using ingredients such as berries or natural colourings. The base is still gin, with extra flavours added.

Does Gin Contain Sugar?

Because gin has so few ingredients, quality really shows. Fresh botanicals, a clean base spirit and careful distilling all make a noticeable difference to the finished taste. Now that you know what gin is made of, you can start picking out the individual flavours in every sip.
Discover more at hmgin.com.au.

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