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What is dry gin?

Gin is the overarching name for a distilled alcohol made from grain and botanicals. But just like other spirits, there’s many different types of gin.

Pink gin, sloe, Navy Strength and Old Tom, there’s plenty to choose from. But one of the most popular – and the one we’re going to delve into here – is dry gin, or London Dry Gin as it’s officially called.

This quality gin is a favourite for most gin drinkers due to its natural flavourings and clean taste. But what sets dry gin apart from other gins?

Read on to learn more about what makes a dry gin dry and how best to enjoy it.

what is the difference between gin and dry gin?

Gin is a distilled spirit made from a grain such as barley, water and juniper berries. It’s then often flavoured with other botanicals such as spices, fruits, roots and herbs.

The difference between most other gins and dry gin is that other gins also contain a sweetener such as sugar or syrup that’s added after distillation. Whereas dry gins are not sweetened and therefore have a cleaner, more herbal flavour, perfect for those who don’t like overly sweet spirits.

Dry gins are most commonly found in bars and restaurants, particularly in the UK. If you’ve ever ordered a G&T or Gin Martini, you’ve likely had a sip.

what is london dry gin?

London Dry Gin is the official name for all dry gins. Like the name suggests, it’s a type of gin that originated in London however these days it can be made anywhere, as long as it adheres to strict production regulations.

London Dry Gin must be distilled to a high level of purity and must not have any artificial sweeteners. Every flavour you identify in a dry gin is from natural botanicals.

Beefeater London Dry Gin is the only historic dry gin that is still distilled in London, under the supervision of the world’s most experienced Master Distiller Emeritus, Desmond Payne. Bold juniper flavours, strong citrus notes and botanicals such as almond, angelica root and liquorice root are steeped for 24 hours before distillation. A complex but rewarding process that results in the same delicious taste as the original 19th century recipe. We’re proud to be The World’s Most Awarded Gin and original London Dry.

can you drink dry gin straight?

Dry gin can be enjoyed any way you like it, but if you want to sample the spirit’s individual flavours, we recommend drinking it straight before mixing.

Serve dry gin chilled or pour over ice to cool the liquid and soften the alcoholic taste. Take your time with every sip and notice the subtle notes of the natural botanicals. You could also add a twist of citrus peel to elevate the gin’s lemon and orange notes.

how to drink dry gin

Dry gin is less sweet than other types of gin, making it the easiest spirit to combine with other ingredients.

The most popular way to drink dry gin is in the classic gin mixer, Gin and Tonic. Stick to a clean, original recipe by mixing one part Beefeater London Dry Gin with two parts quality tonic water into a highball glass with ice. garnish with a slice of lemon and a slice of orange, just as Desmond Payne suggests. Or mix up the recipe by using flavoured tonics like elderflower, ginger and citrus. You can even make a Frozen Gin and Tonic by blending the ingredients with ice, perfect for sweltering summer days.

Other mixers that work well with dry gin include soda water, lemonade, ginger ale and fruit juice. Or add a dash to other alcohols like white wine and Prosecco.

dry gin COCKTAILS

When it comes to cocktails, dry gin is a go to spirit. The opportunities are endless with everything from classic gin recipes to fruity concoctions. Here’s some of our favourites.