Gin and vodka are two of the most popular white spirits around. These clear liquors that form the basis of numerous cocktail drinks share several similarities.

While they share similarities, clear differences between the two drinks also exist. It is important to know the difference, to know which is more suitable for different mixes and cocktails.

What Is Gin?

The origin of gin can be traced back to 17th century Holland, where it was invented as a medicinal drink. Gin is flavoured liquor produced from the re-distillation of a neutral spirit along with juniper berries and other flavouring agents. Juniper berries are the prominent ingredient in every gin while flavouring agents vary from one gin to the other. These agents include botanicals and spices such as lavender, citrus peel, lemongrass, cucumber, rose and black pepper to mention a few. Juniper berries give gin a strong pine taste, while it gets its flavour from whatever agents it is distilled from.

What Is Vodka?

Vodka is a neutral spirit, usually without a distinct aroma, colour or taste. Vodka is a colourless liquid which originated from Russia, in the 14th century. Vodka is referred from the word Voda (meaning water in Slavic languages). It is generally distilled from grains or potatoes. Other items it can be made from include wheat, corn, rye and grapes. Vodka, being a pure spirit, has a neutral taste, setting it apart from other spirits. It is one of the heaviest drinks in the world with its alcohol content typically at 40%.

Gin and Vodka

Gin and vodka have many similarities and differences. Among the similarities are; they are both clear spirits and that undergo distillations. Another similarity is that they are both good ingredients for cocktails. Some of the differences discussed below:

Taste: Although both drinks are clear and colourless, it is a different case when it comes to the palate. Gin has a distinctive herbal taste, while vodka is generally tasteless and neutral. Vodka is water-based, while gin is distilled with juniper berries and botanicals giving them their distinct flavours.
How It Is Served: For the best experience, vodka should be served chilled. It is vicious when extremely cold, giving it the perfect taste. Gin, on the other hand, can be consumed chilled or when it is not chilled. Its aromatic flavours give it a fantastic taste even when it is not chilled.
Classification: Gin can be classified as flavoured vodka. However, vodka cannot be referred to as a type of gin. Gin can be regarded as a vodka because it can be redistilled from vodka in addition to botanicals and spices.

All in all, both spirits are excellent drinks and great choices for a cocktail. As said, they are two of the most popular cocktail ingredients in the world.

Vodka is the crucial ingredient of cocktails such as Screwdriver, Bloody Mary, Moscow Mule, Black Russian, among others. Gin is central in the iconic Martini, White Lady, Vesper, Hanky Panky, Gin Rickey and more.

**How to ...**

**We talked with our founder Maarit about some of the initial questions that arise when you start to think about gin – either drinking it or thinking about how to make it.**

How is gin made?

Gin is made through a distilling process, where neutral spirit is flavoured with special botanicals and then distilled into some of the most magical drinks.

Some botanicals are very common in gin. By definition, gin has to contain a juniper flavour, but often there is also coriander or orris root.

What is gin made from?

The key ingredient is juniper berry, but I have tasted a gin with only 3 botanicals and one with more than 40 botanicals. Our first gin contains ten different botanicals.

These days most gin producers use a neutral base spirit from one of the bigger spirit manufacturers, and then distil it further with their selection of botanicals.

What grain is used to make gin?

The base alcohol for making gin can be made of several grains – like wheat, barley or rye. In some countries corn, potatoes and even sugar beet are in active use.

For our Ösel Dry Gin we use rye as it has deep historical roots in the food culture of the island and it gives the gin its crisp and fresh taste.

Can you make gin from vodka?

You can use vodka to make gin. In theory, a gin producer could have a supply agreement with a vodka producer. Gin producers use base spirit, which is a vodka-like spirit product.

To make your personal “gin” the easiest option is to use vodka – just mash and soak juniper berries and other botanicals whose taste you think you might like in your gin, in the vodka and voila, you have a gin-like drink. It’s not a distilled gin and can easily become unpleasant (believe me, I have tried).

It is easier to take a gin you like and make your own flavoured version of it. This is the most common technique that is used to make sloe gins. You can turn any regular gin into a sloe gin by just adding sloe berries and sugar.

Sugar? But most gins are called dry. Even Lahhentagge’s first product is called Ösel Dry Gin. What makes gin dry?

Similar to wines, gin can be dry or sweetened. Both compound and distilled gin can be labelled as Dry Gin or London Dry Gin if they do not contain sugar or any other sweetening agents.

How do you make a gin distillery?

A gin distillery can be set up like any other distillery. In principle, all you need to have is the necessary equipment and proper licenses.

We are early in the process of building one, if you want to know more about how it can be done – and maybe also why it should not be done – you can follow our adventures here, on this page.

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Difference between Gin and Vodka