Gin is possibly the most important spirit in the bar and makes a versatile cocktail base. Not only does gin provide a quick “lift” - an ideal way to get a party going - a good gin has a subtle and delciate aroma that needs no artificial flavorings to make a good mixed drink or cocktail.

Of all liquors, gin is probably the most misunderstood and most maligned of spirits - posibly because of the connotations of the London gin palaces of a previous century but also because of the home-based so-called gins that were made during the American prohibition era. In fact there are two distinct gin types - London Gin and Geneva (Genever) Gin which is now more commonly called “schnapps” but which is in reality a gin, the best of which actually comes from Holland.

London gins can be dry or sweet although the “dry” variety is most common. Sweet London gin is now hard to find was popularly refferred to as “Old Tom” and was the original base of a “Tom Collins. Gevever Gin or Schnapps is made by mixing juniper berries and other aromatics with a mash of barley malt and various grains with the whole mash fermented and distilled together. The result tends to produce an aromatic but bitter liquor which is usually drunk straight or with a dash of bitters but because of its flavor, does not combine well with other flavors as a cocktail base.