Have you ever wondered why one gin tastes piney and another floral and berry-like? The phenomenon of gin lies in its diverse flavor profiles, created by various plant ingredients or botanicals. For many gin lovers, the world of flavors remains unexplored – what are these botanicals and how do they shape the character of your favorite drink?
What are gin botanicals?
Gin botanicals are plant-based ingredients used to flavor neutral agricultural spirit in the gin production process. They give the drink its characteristic taste and aroma profile.
According to European Union regulations, the dominant flavoring of gin must be juniper (Juniperus communis), to which various plants, berries, spices, and fruit peels are added according to the recipe. These ingredients are either distilled with the spirit or added later, depending on the type of gin.
The use of botanical ingredients in gin dates back centuries, and they were once used both for flavor and medicinal purposes. Gin’s predecessor is considered to be jenever, made in the Netherlands in the 13th-14th centuries, which was also a juniper-based distillate.
How gin botanicals are categorized
Juniper – the heart of gin
Juniper is gin’s most important ingredient, giving it the characteristic piney, slightly resinous and citrusy base flavor. According to European Union legislation, the dominant flavoring of gin must be juniper.
In Junimperium gins, juniper is always central – for example, Blended Dry Gin stands out for its strong juniper taste, light citrus notes and slightly peppery character.
Classic botanicals
Alongside juniper, several classic botanicals give gin its complete flavor spectrum:
- Coriander – one of the most used ingredients after juniper, providing citrusy, fresh flavors that balance the piney notes of juniper.
- Orris root – adds earthy, slightly sweet nuances and acts as a natural preservative, extending the shelf life of gin.
- Citrus peels (lemon, orange, lime) – add freshness and lightness, balancing heavier ingredients.
- Angelica root – gives an earthy, slightly bitter and green flavor, helping to tie other flavors together.
- Cardamom – adds a warm, slightly gingerbread-like taste and aroma.
The Junimperium team explains their creative process: “About 60 different components are used to make Junimperium’s gin selection, some of which remain a secret. The most unique discoveries may indeed remain secret.”
Flavored gin specific botanicals
Flavored gins use additional botanicals beyond the classic ingredients, giving the gin a distinctive flavor focus:
- Berries (blackcurrant, raspberry, cherry) – provide juicy-sweet and slightly acidic notes.
- Flowers (lavender, rose petals, jasmine) – add delicate, aromatic and perfumed tones.
- Herbs (basil, thyme, peppermint) – provide freshness and vibrancy.
- Spices (cinnamon, ginger, clove) – add warmth and depth.
Gin liqueur (such as sloe gin) is a flavored gin to which plenty of sugar has been added (over 100 g/l) and which has an alcohol content of at least 15%.
Common flavorings and their profiles
Berry-based flavored gins
Berry-flavored gins are among the most popular choices. According to market research, berry flavors make up about 28% of all flavored gins.
Junimperium’s selection includes several berry-based gins:
Cherry Gin
Junimperium’s Cherry Edition Gin is a slightly floral gin with a strong cherry aroma, with a recognizable and clear taste. It’s an ideal choice for those who appreciate fruity and slightly sweet drinks.
Sloe Gin
A classic gin liqueur made from blackcurrant, which Junimperium describes as a “rich and freshly berry-flavored gin liqueur with a slightly citrusy note of sweeter juniper.” Sloe gin is traditionally a bit sweeter and has a lower alcohol content than regular gin.
Barrel-aged gins
Junimperium has also created a limited quantity of Barrel Finished Cherry Gin, which has been aged for three months in French acacia barrels. This gives the drink “floral softer notes and a long aftertaste” and adds a slightly woody and smoky nuance to the cherry flavor.
Plant-based flavored gins
Rhubarb gin
Junimperium’s Rhubarb Edition Gin has a recognizable rhubarb flavor, aromatic and with a slightly honey-like character. Rhubarb gives the gin a slight acidity and sweetness balanced with earthiness.
Seasonal gins
Junimperium also offers seasonal flavored gins that match the mood of specific seasons:
Summer Edition Gin is a gin created with fresh flavors for sunny summer days, with light and airy flavors ideal for warm weather.
Winter Edition Gin is an unfiltered gin with lingonberry extract, characterized by a warm and spicy, yet slightly sweet-sour flavor nuance – the perfect choice for cold winter evenings.
How to choose and enjoy flavored gins
Choosing a flavored gin
When choosing a flavored gin, consider the following aspects:
- Basic flavor preference – do you prefer berry, citrus, floral, or spicy flavors?
- Intended use – are you planning to drink this gin with tonic, in cocktails, or neat?
- Alcohol content – flavored gins vary from 15% (liqueur) to 45% (full-strength gin).
Serving and cocktails
Flavored gins can be enjoyed in several ways:
- Neat or on ice – especially flavored gins and gin liqueurs can be enjoyed neat or on ice to experience the full flavor profile.
- Classic cocktails – dry gin (London dry) is suitable for classic G&Ts, while flavored gins can be combined with more suitable tonic variants.
- Seasonal cocktails – Summer Edition is suitable for summery fresh cocktails, Winter Edition offers warmth in winter drinks.
Where to buy quality flavored gins
High-quality Estonian craft gins, including a diverse selection of flavored gins, can be purchased directly from the Junimperium e-shop or by visiting the Junimperium distillery in Telliskivi Quarter. Since some products are available in limited quantities, it’s worth being quick, especially for limited series.
Summary
Gin botanicals are what make gin gin. Starting with juniper as the base flavor to exotic berries and spices – this diversity allows for creating different flavor profiles for every taste.
Junimperium uses about 60 different plant ingredients to create their award-winning gin selection. As Junimperium distiller Jaan Mõttus says: “Every Junimperium gin has its time and place” – the selection is wide, you just need to discover your favorites.