Gin is not simply fancy vodka. While both spirits fall under the category of clear, distilled liquors, they are distinct in terms of their ingredients and production methods.
Firstly, let’s consider the ingredients. Vodka is typically made from fermented grains or potatoes, although it can also be distilled from other ingredients such as grapes or sugar beets. On the other hand, gin is made by distilling a neutral spirit with the addition of botanicals, primarily juniper berries. These botanicals give gin its unique flavor profile and distinguish it from vodka. Other common botanicals used in gin production include coriander, citrus peels, angelica root, and various spices and herbs. The specific combination and quantities of botanicals used can vary greatly, resulting in a wide range of gin styles and flavors.
The distillation process also sets gin apart from vodka. Vodka is typically distilled to a high level of purity, often undergoing multiple distillations to remove impurities and achieve a neutral taste. In contrast, gin is distilled with botanicals, which are either added to the spirit during distillation or suspended in a botanical basket or vapor chamber. This allows the alcohol vapors to interact with the botanicals, extracting their flavors and aromas. The resulting distillate is then diluted to the desired strength.
There are different styles of gin, each with its own production methods. London Dry Gin, for example, is made by redistilling a neutral spirit with botanicals, without adding any sweeteners or colorants. Other styles, such as Old Tom Gin or Genever, may have additional ingredients or different production processes.
So, while both gin and vodka are clear spirits, gin is more complex in terms of its ingredients and production. The addition of botanicals during distillation gives gin its unique flavor profile, distinguishing it from the neutral taste of vodka. Gin offers a wide variety of styles and flavors, making it a versatile and interesting spirit for cocktails and sipping.
To summarize, gin is not just fancy vodka. The addition of botanicals during distillation gives gin its distinctive flavor, setting it apart from vodka’s neutral taste. The ingredients and production methods involved in making gin make it a unique and complex spirit that offers a wide range of flavors and styles.