The Best Gin to Buy, According to Your Favorite Gin Drink
There are tons of great gins on the market, and it’s even easy to make the spirit at home. But all of those quality options can actually make choosing a bottle more overwhelming. If you’re lost on which gin to buy, look no further than your favorite gin cocktail. Not only are these five picks versatile enough to mix into pretty much any gin drink, but they’re also guaranteed to be top notch in your drink of choice—whether it’s a strong Martini or effervescent French 75.
If You Drink Martinis: Plymouth Gin Original ($38 for 1L)
Plymouth has been distilling their original recipe gin the same way since 1793, using a proprietary blend of botanicals and water from the sparkling Dartmoor reservoirs. On the nose you’ll find fresh juniper, coriander and cardamom with a creamy, sweet, full-bodied taste that’s versatile enough for most variations on the classic cocktail. It makes for a bright, citrusy and extra smooth Martini that even beginners can sip with ease.
If You Drink Gin & Tonics: Sipsmith V.J.O.P. ($50 for 750mL)
This juniper-forward gin uses triple the amount of juniper berries in Sipsmith’s London Dry bottling. Plus, it’s bottled at 57.7 percent ABV, so it’s strong enough to stand up to the sweetest brands of tonic. Expect aromas of junipery pine, cedarwood and orange with long, dry notes of spice and dark chocolate.
If You Drink Gimlets: Beefeater London Dry Gin ($18 for 750mL)
You can’t go wrong with a tried-and-true London Dry gin like Beefeater in a sweet and citrusy Gimlet. Made with botanicals like lemon and Seville orange peels, licorice root and coriander, the juniper-forward gin shines through the cocktail’s equal doses of lime juice and simple syrup. This combo is as classic as they come.
If You Drink Negronis: Bombay Sapphire ($23 for 750 mL)
A London Dry gin is a no-brainer when making a Negroni, as its citrusy flavors perfectly complement bitter Campari and sweet vermouth. All of Bombay Sapphire’s 10 hand-selected botanicals are vapor-infused into the spirit to give it a bright, vibrant flavor that won’t get lost in the Negroni’s robust bite. Notes of angelica root, cassia bark and lemon will brighten the whole drink and make this popular Italian cocktail even more irresistible.
If You Drink French 75s: Bloom London Dry Gin ($30 for 750mL)
This award-winning gin was named Bloom as a tribute to its floral botanicals, which add a modern element to the classic London Dry style. Made with a blend of honeysuckle, chamomile and pomelo, it’s a beautiful match for tart lemon juice and dry, effervescent sparkling wine. Try it and discover your favorite French 75 ever.
If You Drink Gin and Juice: Tanqueray London Dry Gin ($26 for 750mL)
Later on that day, my homie Dr. Dre came through with a gang of Tanqueray. When it comes to Gin and Juice, Snoop Dogg always knows best. Tanqueray’s bold London Dry gin can stand up to any mix of juices that you prefer, and you’ll look extra classy with the iconic bottle in your hand as you pour another satisfying potion for friends.
If You Drink Red Snappers: Sipsmith London Dry Gin ($35 for 750 mL)
Crisp, herbaceous and juniper heavy, Sipsmith London Dry gin is the perfect spirit to accompany tart, savory tomato juice. Infused with high quality botanicals from all corners of the globe— juniper berries from Macedonia, coriander from Bulgaria, angelica root from France, licorice root from Spain, cinnamon from Madagascar, and lemon and orange zest from Seville—the London Dry is as rich and savory as this brunch staple. It’s a match made in cocktail heaven.
Designed specifically for use in cocktails, this gin from the 86 and Co. is clean, bright and minimal. In drinks like the Gibson with little accompaniment for the spirit—in this case, a touch of vermouth and the briny, onion garnish—it’s streamlined flavor allows all the ingredients to harmonize with one another. The only way a Gibson with Fords could get any more delightful is if you made your own cocktail onions.