Recipe for Gin Production

Gin is a drink whose dominant flavor comes from juniper berries and it is one of the main ingredients in popular cocktails.

To make gin, high-quality alcohol at 96% vol. is required, obtained by distilling fermented grain mash, mainly barley, rye, oats, corn, and wheat, or purchased from a trusted supplier. Another important ingredient is juniper berries, which contain sugars and a high proportion of aromatic compounds and essential oils, giving gin its recognizable flavor. The third ingredient is distilled water, which is added before the start of distillation and after distillation is complete.

Other aromatic plants with characteristic aromas and flavors are also added to these ingredients, such as coriander, lemon and orange peel, lavender, apple kernels, almonds, cinnamon, caraway, and anise. This list can be very long and depends on the producer’s imagination.

There are different types of gin, which differ mainly according to the method of production, that is, the distillation of alcohol.

Regular gin

Regular gin is made from agricultural distilled alcohol of natural origin, such as fruit or grain, neutral in color and taste. Distilled water, aromatic herbs, and juniper are added to it, with the juniper aroma being dominant. In regular gin, there are no strict restrictions when it comes to additional aromas, colors, or even added sugars.

Distilled gin

Distilled gin is obtained in the same way as basic gin, with the difference that juniper and the aromatic herbs selected according to the recipe are steeped in alcohol, where maceration, that is, resting, takes place, most often for a period of 48 to 72 hours, after which redistillation is performed. After distillation is complete, distilled water is added, and it is also possible to add additional aromas in order to achieve the desired flavor.

Gin recipes are usually developed through testing and distillation in small stills, after which, according to production needs, they are adapted to stills of larger capacities.

London dry gin

London gin is obtained from high-quality agricultural distilled alcohol, aromatic herbs, and juniper. It must not contain artificial aromas or colors, while sweetening is allowed only in a very small, legally limited amount. Because of its strict production method, London gin is also called “dry gin”.

Gin production

Traditional gin production consists of several stages: production of ethyl alcohol from grain raw materials, redistillation of alcohol with the addition of juniper and other aromatic plants, and dilution with distilled water to the desired alcohol percentage. Most distillers and craft distilleries today purchase alcohol at 96% vol. and do not produce it themselves.

Basic recipe for gin production

Ingredients

• Juniper — 270 g
• Coriander — 135 g
• Cardamom — 70 g
• Angelica root — 40 g
• Different combinations of rosemary, citrus, nutmeg, cloves, anise, and other botanicals may also be added as desired.

Preparation

Dilute eight liters of alcohol at 96% vol. to 50% vol. and add the aromatic herbs defined by the recipe. Then leave the mixture to macerate for a period of 2 to 3 days. Before distillation, dilute the mixture to 30% vol. alcohol and distill everything together. From one such batch, around 15.6 L of gin at 42% vol. alcohol can be obtained. The foundation of every gin is the dominant aroma of juniper, while the nuances of flavor are defined by the selection and ratio of the other botanicals.