History & Timeline of Gin
Gin is a (mostly) colorless spirit that is flavored with juniper berries and other botanicals. Its origins can be traced back to the Netherlands in the 16th century, where it was first produced as a medicinal tonic.
The earliest form of gin, known as jenever, was created by distilling malt wine with juniper berries and other herbs and spices. Jenever was first produced in the Netherlands in the 16th century, and it quickly became popular among Dutch sailors, who used it to ward off sickness and improve their stamina.
In the 17th century, jenever began to be exported to other parts of Europe, particularly to England. English soldiers fighting in the Thirty Years' War in the Netherlands were introduced to jenever, and they brought the spirit back to England with them when they returned home.
In England, jenever was initially consumed as a medicine, but it soon became a popular drink among the general population. However, the quality of the jenever being produced in England was often poor, and it was associated with drunkenness and social disorder.
Gin was also known as "ginny," "Mother's Ruin," or simply "the spirit," and was a cheap and readily available spirit that was favored by the poor.
In the 18th century, a new type of gin, known as London Dry Gin, began to be produced. London Dry Gin was made by redistilling neutral grain spirit with juniper berries and other botanicals, and it was a much cleaner and more refined spirit than the jenever being produced in England.
London Dry Gin quickly became popular in England, particularly among the working classes. However, it was also associated with poverty and crime. It was commonly blamed for social problems like alcoholism and prostitution.
Old Tom Gin is a type of gin that originated in England in the 18th century. It is a sweetened gin that was popular during the Gin Craze, a period in the 18th century when gin consumption in England reached unprecedented levels, which led to social and economical problems.
The exact origins of Old Tom Gin are unclear, but the name likely comes from a story about a cat-shaped plaque that hung outside many London gin shops. Customers would put a penny in the cat's mouth, and a shot of gin would be dispensed from a tube beneath it. The cat was called "Old Tom," and the gin that was dispensed became known as "Old Tom Gin."
Old Tom Gin was popular because it was a sweeter style of gin than London Dry Gin, which was also available at the time. The sweetness came from the addition of sugar or licorice to the gin. This made Old Tom Gin more palatable, and it was often consumed in cocktails or mixed with other beverages.
In the 19th century, gin began to be produced on a larger scale, with industrialization and advances in distillation technology making it easier and cheaper to produce. Gin became popular in the United States during the Prohibition era, when it was used to make bootlegged cocktails like the Martini and the Gin Rickey.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, Old Tom Gin fell out of favor as other styles of gin became more popular. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Old Tom Gin, and many gin distillers have begun producing it again.
New style gin, also known as contemporary gin or modern gin, is a relatively recent development in the history of gin. Unlike traditional gins, which are dominated by juniper and other botanicals, new style gins often have a more subtle and diverse flavor profile that can include a wider range of botanicals and other flavorings. The history of new style gin can be traced back to the late 20th century, when a number of craft distillers began experimenting with gin recipes that departed from traditional London Dry Gin. These new gins often featured botanicals such as citrus, berries, and herbs, as well as non-traditional flavorings like cucumber, rose petals, and even chocolate.
One of the pioneers of new style gin was the British distillery Hendrick's, which introduced its eponymous gin in 1999. Hendrick's Gin featured a distinctive blend of botanicals that included cucumber and rose, and it quickly became popular among gin enthusiasts looking for something different from traditional gins.
Since then, a number of other craft distillers have followed Hendrick's lead and begun experimenting with new style gin recipes. Today, new style gin is a thriving category, with many distillers around the world producing gins that incorporate a wide range of botanicals and flavorings. Some new style gins are even barrel-aged or blended with other spirits, adding further complexity to their flavor profiles. Overall, new style gin has helped to revitalize interest in gin and broaden its appeal to a wider range of consumers.
Today, gin is produced in many different styles and flavors, with a wide range of botanicals and other ingredients used to create unique and distinctive spirits. Gin is often consumed in cocktails, but it can also be enjoyed on its own, over ice or with a splash of tonic water.