Skip to content

Top Navigation

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Recipes & Cooking
  • Drinks
  • Travel
  • Holidays & Events
  • News
  • F&W Classic
  • Video
  • Kitchen & Home
  • F&W Pro

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Food & Wine

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Explore

    Explore

    • F&W Cooks

      Food and Wine presents a new network of food pros delivering the most cookable recipes and delicious ideas online. Read More Next
    • Our 22 Best Crock Pot and Slow-Cooker Recipes

      Looking to amp up your beef stew but unsure where to start? A slow cooker can can take your comfort food to the next level. Read More Next
    • 50 Affordable Wines You Can Always Trust

      We’ve assembled a list of 50 of the world’s most reliable, inexpensive wines – bottles that offer amazing quality for their price year in and year out. Read More Next
  • Recipes & Cooking

    Recipes & Cooking

    See all Recipes & Cooking
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Comfort Food Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Vegetable Recipes
    • Pasta & Noodle Recipes
    • Chefs
    • Meat & Poultry Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Fruit Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Special Diets
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Steal This Trick
  • Drinks

    Drinks

    See all Drinks
    • Wine
    • Cocktails & Spirits
    • Coffee Drinks & Recipes
    • Juices
    • Beer & Brews
    • Champagne & Sparkling Wine
    • Tea Recipes & Ideas
  • Travel

    Travel

    See all Travel
    • Wine Regions
    • Restaurants
  • Holidays & Events

    Holidays & Events

    See all Holidays & Events
    • Valentine's Day
    • Halloween
    • Passover
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • Gifts
    • Super Bowl
    • Easter
    • Thanksgiving
    • New Year's Eve
    • Holiday Entertaining
  • News
  • F&W Classic
  • Video
  • Kitchen & Home
  • F&W Pro

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Cocktails & Spirits Chevron Right
  3. Gin Chevron Right
  4. 13 Essential Gins to Try at Home

13 Essential Gins to Try at Home

By Carey Jones and Food & Wine
Updated December 16, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: Michael Ingram

Most mixology buffs will agree that gin is one of the most versatile cocktail spirits—whether you’re just pouring in tonic, stirring it into a martini, or shaking it into a much more complex drink. For centuries, it’s been a bar staple, and indeed, many of today’s predominant brands have a century (or more) of history behind them. But recently, a dizzying number of smaller brands, from America and abroad, have entered the market. So which bottles are worth your time? Here’s a quick primer—whether you’re into the London Dry classics, newer upstart American brands, or unusual bottles that really expand the definition of the spirit.

Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Tanqueray

Credit: Courtesy of Diageo

One of the quintessential London Dry gins, Tanqueray is endlessly useful — as well suited to complex fruity or herbal cocktails as it is a Negroni, Gin & Tonic, or a martini. Juniper-focused, using only four botanicals, it’s a classic for a reason; there’s no wrong way to use it.  Drink it in: Just about anything; start with a G&T Find it: $26 at reservebar.com

1 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Beefeater

Credit: Courtesy of Beefeater Gin

Similarly classic. If you like bold juniper and bright citrus—and if you’re a fan of London Dry gin, you do—Beefeater is the benchmark to measure against. Up at 94 proof (that’s 47 percent ABV), it’s a strong spirit in more ways than one—proud and assertive; a gin-drinker’s gin. Drink it in: Just about anything; start with a Negroni Find it: $26 at reservebar.com

2 of 13

3 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Plymouth

Credit: Courtesy of Plymouth Gin

Ask 10 mixologists how they make their ideal martini; I’d bet they all choose gin over vodka, and I bet more name Plymouth as their gin of choice than any other. All on its own, it’s a beautifully balanced spirit that has a real weight to it, with both earthy and citrus elements alongside a strong through-line of juniper.  Drink it in: Anything; start with a 2:1 gin-vermouth martini, with a dash of orange bitters and a lemon twist Find it: $47 at reservebar.com

3 of 13

Advertisement

4 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Hendrick’s

Credit: Courtesy of Hendrick’s Gin

We’ve got to hand it to the marketing geniuses at Hendrick’s, who practically reinvented the G&T with the simple addition of a cucumber slice. These days, it’s one of the most recognizable bottles on any bar, and has a committed fan following. Here’s a gin for people who like their juniper toned back a bit, accompanied by pleasant flavors of cucumber and rose. Drink it in: A G&T with Fever Tree tonic and a big slice of cucumber Find it: $41 at reservebar.com

4 of 13

5 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

NOLET’S Silver

Credit: Courtesy of NOLET’S Gin

Looking for a gin that’s a little lighter and more floral and a little less junipery? Nolet’s is for you. Its strong, perfume-like aromas of rose and raspberry leap out, with more classic botanicals as supporting players. Ideal anytime you want to bring out the fruity or floral elements in a cocktail. Drink it in: A French ’75 Find it: $49 at reservebar.com

5 of 13

6 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Botanist

Credit: Courtesy of The Botanist

The island of Islay, off the Scottish coast, makes some of the world’s best Scotch: Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Bowmore. It also makes one of the world’s best gins. With 22 botanicals, all foraged locally, it’s ridiculously complex, with so many aromas of roots, barks and spices it’s hard to pinpoint them all. But there’s no need to overthink it. Drink it: On the rocks with a twist, to appreciate its character, before you move on to cocktails Find it: $40 at reservebar.com

6 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Brooklyn Gin

Credit: Courtesy of Brooklyn Gin

We’ve seen hundreds of American gin distilleries pop up over the last decade or so, but very few with the success of Brooklyn Gin. While many gins contain some citrus peels in their botanical blend, Brooklyn Gin distinguishes itself by using only fresh peels—not dried peels or extracted oils—from five different fruits. While there’s still a strong hit of juniper, this gin’s fresh citrus aroma is what sets it apart. Drink it in: Bright, lively cocktails such as a gimlet, French ’75, or Bee’s Knees Find it: $40 at wine.com

7 of 13

8 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Dorothy Parker American Gin

Credit: Courtesy of New York Distilling Company

The New York Distilling Company, headquartered in Brooklyn, set out to make spirits intended for cocktails; and for many bartenders in New York and beyond, Dorothy Parker American Gin is where it’s at. A contemporary gin with the unusual botanicals of elderberry and dried hibiscus, it’s a smooth, balanced spirit that proves a delight in any mixed drink, from the simplest G&T to the most complex mixologist’s creation. Drink it in:  Cocktails, cocktails, cocktails. Find it: $37 at wine.com

8 of 13

9 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

St. George Gin

Credit: Courtesy of St. George Spirits

It’s hard to choose one standout from this California spirit line, so we won’t even try. All three gins have a sense of place: primarily the Terroir Gin, of course, with Douglas fir, California bay laurel, and coastal sage among its local botanicals. You’ll find 19 diverse, balanced botanicals in the aptly named Botanivore. And the Dry Rye Gin is something else entirely; with a base of 100 percent pot-distilled rye, it has a rye whiskey’s spice but a standard gin’s juniper. How to drink it: Try each one neat before mixing. Find it: $33 at flaviar.com

9 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin

Credit: Courtesy of Monkey 47

A super-premium German gin made from soft spring water and an eye-popping 47 botanicals—don’t even try to guess them all—this amazing spirit manages to be fruity and spicy, robust and delicate all at once. It’s pricey, but any true gin fan should take it upon themselves to try it at least once. Drink it in: Something powerful, like a martini or Negroni Find it: $38 at totalwine.com

10 of 13

11 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Gin Mare

Credit: Courtesy of Gin Mare

When we say that many gins taste herbal, we don’t literally mean that they taste of fresh herbs like basil and thyme. But that’s what you get with Gin Mare, made just outside Barcelona. It’s an intensely savory gin with a strong taste of rosemary and olive—such a departure from a traditional gin, but a delight in its own way. Drink it: On the rocks with a twist, or even (and this is a bit unorthodox) in a dirty martini Find it: $33 at flaviar.com

11 of 13

12 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Ransom Old Tom

Credit: Michael Ingram

Once upon a time, Old Tom was the most popular gin style out there, and Ransom has made an excellent re-creation, deliberately fashioned off the bottles of the mid-19th century. Their Old Tom has a malted barley base and an infusion of botanicals; it’s also barrel-aged, the first American-made barrel-aged gin since Prohibition. The resulting spirit has a very faint sweetness and real weight, at its best in cocktails like the Martinez, the predecessor to the martini. Drink it in: A perfect Tom Collins, or Martinez Find it: $40 at wine.com

12 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Fords

Credit: Courtesy of Wine.com

Several of our editors are a fan of Fords, and agree that it’s a great all-purpose gin. It’s made with nine different botanicals, including juniper, bitter orange, cassia, and coriander. Drink it in: On its website, Fords suggests using its gin in French 75s, dry Martinis, gimlets, and more. Find it: $29 at wine.com

13 of 13

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Carey Jones and Food & Wine

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 13 Tanqueray
2 of 13 Beefeater
3 of 13 Plymouth
4 of 13 Hendrick’s
5 of 13 NOLET’S Silver
6 of 13 The Botanist
7 of 13 Brooklyn Gin
8 of 13 Dorothy Parker American Gin
9 of 13 St. George Gin
10 of 13 Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin
11 of 13 Gin Mare
12 of 13 Ransom Old Tom
13 of 13 Fords

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Login

Food & Wine

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Food & Wine
  • Contact Us
  • Media Kit
  • Content Licensing

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Food & Wine is part of the Meredith Corporation Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.foodandwine.com

View image

13 Essential Gins to Try at Home
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.