*Don’t feel like reading? I’ll read it to you.*👇

How to make a decision right now

• Are you making a Martini, Negroni, or a Gimlet? You want a London Dry Gin.
• Are you making a Martinez, Tom Collins or Ramos Gin Fizz? Go for an Old Tom Gin.
• Are you making a G&T or French 75?
  • Stay classic with a London Dry Gin
  • Brighten and soften it with a citrusy or floral gin

The next bridge: How much are you spending on your mixers?

• I often find that home bartenders allocate most of their cocktail budget for spirits and not enough for mixers. Gin is a cocktail spirit and whether you’re making a martini, a bee’s knees, or a G&T it’s worth pausing to think about the caliber and freshness of your mixers. Or as mixer company Fever Tree has said

If 3/4 of your drink is the mixer, mix with the best

In Defense of Gin

Having worked with thousands of people, gin is one of the spirits many people avoid after having experienced low-quality versions, often in large quantities, at college/dive bars and weddings. Don’t let these bad actors spoil the category for you.

Gin 101

To start at the top without getting technical, what you need to know is that in order to be legally defined as gin in the US, **a **spirit has to 1) be at least 40% alcohol and 2) contain juniper. Other than that, pretty much anything goes, which can lead to a diverse array of flavors and quality.

So what are juniper berries?

They’re the seed cones from a juniper tree and contribute piney and slightly peppery flavors.

• Are you a sucker for history? Click the dropdown.