Have you ever wondered what gives gin its distinctive character? Unlike vodka, which aims for neutrality, gin celebrates bold flavours derived from botanical ingredients. These natural plant materials transform a simple spirit into a complex tapestry of aromas and tastes that gin enthusiasts cherish worldwide.
What are gin botanicals?
Gin botanicals are the herbs, spices, fruits, roots, and other plant materials that distillers use to flavour gin. Without these natural ingredients, gin would simply be neutral alcohol. These botanical elements infuse the spirit with its characteristic complexity and are the reason no two gins taste exactly alike.
During production, distillers typically use between 10-30g of botanicals total for every litre of 50% ABV alcohol, carefully selecting and balancing each ingredient to create a distinctive flavour profile for their gin, according to research from Barison Industry.
Essential gin botanicals
Juniper berries
Juniper is the non-negotiable botanical in gin—by legal definition, juniper must be the dominant flavour in any spirit labelled as gin. These small, blue-black berries contribute the characteristic piney, resinous notes that gin lovers recognise instantly.
While there are approximately 70 known juniper species, only about 10 are used in gin production, with Juniperus communis being the most common variety. Juniper typically makes up at least 50% of most gin recipes, and much of the juniper used in distilling comes from Eastern Europe, providing fresh, piney taste with slight peppery notes and distinctive woodiness.
Coriander seeds
Often the second most prominent botanical in gin, coriander seeds offer a spicy, nutty character with subtle citrus undertones. When crushed and distilled, these seeds release complex oils that complement juniper beautifully while adding depth to the gin’s flavour profile.
Angelica root
Angelica root serves a dual purpose in gin production. It contributes earthy, herbal notes while also acting as a “fixative”—binding other botanical flavours together and helping them persist in the final spirit, as noted by GG Merchants.
Citrus peels
Orange, lemon, and grapefruit peels are commonly used to add brightness and zesty freshness to gin. The oils in these peels contribute vibrant citrus notes that cut through and balance the earthier botanicals.
Orris root
Derived from iris flowers, orris root offers a subtle floral and slightly woody fragrance. Like angelica, it serves as a fixative, helping to stabilise other botanical aromas in the gin while adding its own distinctive character.
Additional common botanicals
Gin makers use a fascinating array of other botanicals to create unique flavour profiles:
- Cardamom: Adds exotic, aromatic spice with hints of ginger and citrus
- Cinnamon: Introduces warmth and sweet spiciness
- Liquorice root: Contributes subtle sweetness and aniseed notes
- Cassia bark: Provides warm, spicy notes similar to cinnamon
- Cubeb berries: Offers peppery, slightly floral characteristics
- Grains of paradise: Delivers peppery heat with hints of citrus
How botanicals shape gin flavour
The magic of gin lies in how distillers extract and balance botanical flavours. This happens through two primary methods:
- Direct infusion: Botanicals are steeped directly in the base spirit before distillation
- Vapour infusion: Botanicals are placed in baskets above the spirit, allowing alcohol vapours to extract their flavours during distillation
The distillation process itself is crucial—capturing the essence of botanicals while transforming a basic spirit into a complex, flavourful gin with layers of botanical richness.
Junimperium’s botanical approach
At Junimperium Distillery in Tallinn’s Telliskivi quarter, our gins showcase botanical diversity across our range. Our Blended Dry Gin features classic botanical harmony, while our seasonal editions highlight distinctive botanical characters suited to different times of year—warming spices in our Winter Edition contrast with bright, fresh botanicals in our Summer Edition.
Our Navy Strength Gin demonstrates how higher alcohol content can extract and amplify botanical oils differently, creating more intense flavour profiles.
Exploring botanical flavours at home
Understanding gin botanicals enhances your appreciation when tasting and mixing. Here are some simple ways to explore botanical flavours:
- Try comparing gins side by side to identify different botanical profiles
- Match gins with tonics that complement their dominant botanicals (citrus-forward gins with Mediterranean tonics, juniper-heavy gins with classic tonic)
- Garnish thoughtfully—highlight a gin’s botanical profile (rosemary with herbaceous gins, citrus with bright, zesty expressions)
For the adventurous, try a simple infusion at home: add a teaspoon of crushed pink peppercorns or a strip of citrus peel to a bottle of gin and let it infuse for 24-48 hours for a personalised botanical twist.
Interested in experiencing the full range of gin botanicals firsthand? Visit our distillery in Tallinn where you can explore our range of distinctive gins and learn more about our botanical selection and distillation process.
The next time you enjoy a gin and tonic, take a moment to appreciate the complex botanical orchestra playing in your glass—a symphony of flavours that begins with carefully selected plants from around the world.