Gin has had quite the comeback in recent years and has even overtaken whisky as the nation's favourite spirit.
Gin is reasonably easy to make and for that reason, there's be a craft gin revival with more and more brands and flavours available than ever before.
This got us thinking; why not learn how to make our own?
Try our recipes below to learn how to make your own gin at home with a customised flavour profile perfect for you. Traditional, flavoured or mixed in a cocktail, we have you covered.
No matter the time, it's officially gin o'clock!
How is gin made?
Gin is made with natural foundations, usually a grain like wheat or barley. The gin is distilled to create the liquid base before being flavoured with botanicals. While these can be played around with, all gins use juniper berries as the primary flavour to give it that distinct gin taste we love.
While we don't have the luxury of having distillation tech to hand, there's an easy way to make your own 'compound gin' at home with vodka instead of this process.
Also known as 'bathtub gin' after the style of homemade spirit made during the American Prohibition, this method is much quicker and simpler with base spirit already made with only the infusion left to create the right flavours.
How to make your own gin at home
Ingredients
750ml vodka
2 tbsp juniper berries
1 tsp coriander seeds
2 cardamom pods
2 peppercorns
Half a cinnamon stick
A small piece of dried lemon peel (remove the white pith)
Method
- Sterilise a large glass jar before adding your botanicals, or directly add your botanicals to a bottle of vodka
- Leave to infuse in a cool, dark place for 24 hours
- After this time, taste test your infusion to get an idea of the flavour profile. The juniper taste should already be coming through but feel free to add extras of your botanicals if you'd like certain flavours to be enhanced
- Leave to infuse for another 24 hours under the same conditions, giving the bottle or jar a gentle shake every so often
- Once ready, pour your gin through a sieve to remove your botanicals and to leave the clear gin. If some pieces remain, filter through a muslin cloth for pure gin clarity. You may need to do this a couple of times after letting it rest
- Bottle your gin and enjoy!
Everything you need
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How to make flavoured gin
If you want to experiment with flavours and make your own gin infusion, use these all natural processes to flavour your homemade gin - something you can't guarantee with commercial flavoured gins!
Berry-based flavoured gin ingredients
700ml bottle of gin (use your own brew!)
400g berries - try strawberries, raspberries or gooseberries
100-150g caster sugar
Raspberry gin method
- Pour your 150g caster sugar into a large, sealable jar and add your raspberries on top
- Pour your gin into the jar before sealing and storing in a cool, dry place for 3 weeks
- When ready, sieve your gin through a muslin cloth to remove any residue and bottle to serve
Strawberry gin method
- Pour your 100g caster sugar into a large, sealable jar and add your strawberries on top
- Pour your gin into the jar before sealing and storing in the fridge for 3 weeks, stirring regularly in this period
- When ready, sieve your gin through a muslin cloth to remove any residue and bottle to serve
Gooseberry gin method
- Top and tail your gooseberries before pricking and adding into a large, sealable jar
- Pour in your sugar (150g for red gooseberries, 250g for green) before pouring over the gin
- Seal and shake
- Store in a cool, dry place for 3 weeks, shaking regularly in this period
- When ready, sieve your gin through a muslin cloth to remove any residue and bottle to serve
How to make your favourite gin cocktails
Now you've got your own gin, make your favourite cocktail at home or wow family and friends with your new skills. We've recommended some books below that include some fab, easy-to-follow cocktails from the gin experts. We've also included some easy gin cocktail-making videos for good measure - here's where the fun really be-gins!
Gin recipe books
Booze enthusiast Dan Jones shares how to make zingy staples and more sizzling cocktail concoctions with easy-to-follow recipes as well as a guide to the best glasses, infusions, gins and tonics.
Produced by Sipsmith, an award-winning, handcrafted and much-adored gin company, take cocktails back to basics with 100 gin cocktail recipes that only need 3 ingredients each. Enjoy fuss-free drinks with expert mixing tips and drink histories along the way. While they advise using their Sipsmith London Dry gin, why not try using your own!
Whether you are a gin aficionado or simply gin-curious, this book from the experts at Craft Gin Club contains everything youu2019ll ever need to know about the juniper spirit. With perfect recipes for every season, you'll be excited to try their winter warmers, refreshing ice-cold punches and even learn to introduce gin to your cooking with marinated main courses and delicious desserts. There's sure to be something to tickle your fancy.