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Spirits

Gin

Spirit40% ABV246 drinks

Is this for me?

Choose this if…

  • ✓You enjoy botanical, herbal or floral flavours in cocktails.
  • ✓There are 246 drinks on WhatDrink using this.

Skip if…

  • ✗You prefer neutral spirits or sweeter liqueurs.

What is Gin?

Gin is a juniper-led spirit used in classic cocktails, Martinis, sours, fizzes, highballs and aromatic aperitif drinks. Its botanical profile makes it one of the most versatile bases for citrus, herbal, bitter and sparkling cocktails.

What does Gin taste like?

Botanical, juniper-forward and often citrusy or herbal, with styles ranging from dry and crisp to floral, spicy or earthy. Gin pairs strongly with lemon, lime, dry vermouth, tonic water, bitters, cucumber, mint and herbal liqueurs.

Gin profile

Mixability: HighIntensity: BoldDryBeginner-friendly: High

Best used for: martinis, gin & tonics, sours, refreshing drinks

  • Appears in 246+ recipes
  • Has 3 common substitutes
  • High-strength spirit (40% ABV)

Best For

martinisgin & tonicssoursrefreshing drinksHigh mixability

Best With Gin

lemon juicelime juicedry vermouthtonic waterbitterscucumbermintherbal liqueurs

Drink Profile

Bold intensityDry sweetnessAppears in 246+ recipesHas 3 common substitutesHigh-strength spirit (40% ABV)

Best for

Substitutes & similar

Possible substitutes for Gin

vodkawhite rumblanco tequila

What it is

What is gin?

Gin is a botanical spirit where juniper is the defining flavor. Depending on the style, it can also show citrus, spice, floral or herbal notes.

How it's used

How gin is used in drinks

Gin works well in martinis, highballs, sours and bitter cocktails because its dry botanical profile can handle citrus, tonic, vermouth and bitters. It is one of the most flexible base spirits for refreshing drinks.

Serving tips

Serving tips

Choose gin when you want a drink to feel dry, aromatic or herbal. If a cocktail tastes too sharp, a small amount of sweetness or a softer mixer can make the botanical notes easier to drink.

About this drink

Gin grew from juniper-flavored European spirits, especially Dutch genever, before developing its own identity in Britain. That history explains why gin cocktails often highlight botanicals, citrus, vermouth and tonic rather than treating gin as a neutral base.

Drink counts and recipe data are based on published WhatDrink recipes. Figures may vary as new recipes are added.