Skip to main content

You’re missing out if you’re not drinking these 5 gins

Koval gin
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Gin can be consumed at any time of the year, but these late days of spring and early days of summer are truly the best time to enjoy the juniper berry-based spirit. It isn’t too hot, but it’s also not cold enough to keep you inside. As the weather warms, we’re starting to forgo the heavier cocktails that we’ve come to know and love over the past few months in favor of lighter, fresher tasting spirits and drinks and what better way to transition into shorts weather than with a light, piney spirit? Expand your palate this season and check out these five gins for your drinking pleasure. You won’t regret it.

Few Breakfast Gin

Few Breakfast Gin
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Though not officially released yet (June 12th can’t come soon enough!), this is the perfect for brunch cocktails. I mean, it even has breakfast in its name. Made with earl grey tea in mind, Few’s Breakfast gin’s floral notes work perfectly in drinks such as the French 75.

Koval Barreled Gin

Koval gin
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Another Illinois native on this list, Koval’s newest gin is barrel-aged, giving you no excuse to not try it if all you drink is the brown stuff. Using the same recipe as their Dry Gin, Koval’s Barreled benefits from spicy notes imparted by the oak barrels.

Knox Whiskey Works

Jackson-Ave
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Jackson Avenue Gin—The newest distillery in Knoxville, TN, Knox Whiskey Works’ Jackson Avenue Gin is going to be the one, if you can get in (read: go visit Knoxville, it’s worth it), that you’ll want to be stocked up on at all times. If you are unsure of gin, this is also a great place to start you gin-ducation.

Boodles Mulberry Gin

Boodles-mulberry
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Heading across the pond now, Boodles takes their original recipe and infuses it with mulberries, delivering not only a delicious gin, but one that’s a lovely royal purple. This expression makes for great takes on classic gin cocktails with just the right amount of sweetness.

Makar Glasgow Gin

Makar
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Scottish in origin, this gin is for the people who love—I mean, really love—the taste of gin in their cocktails. When you want a juniper-forward, botanical beauty, Makar is an easy choice.

(Pictured: The Spell, created using Few Breakfast Gin by Ergys Dizdari, SIP, Chicago)

Editors' Recommendations

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
The 11 best grill and smoker recipes to make now
Tasty recipes to cook on your gas, charcoal, or pellet grill
Ducks in the Pig Pen

It's that time of year again when we neglect our Dutch ovens, slow cookers, and air fryers for our outdoor char-grilling and smoking devices. It doesn't matter if you're cooking with gas, charcoal, or pellets. The main is you're outside enjoying the nice weather with a a cold beer.

While everyone loves a tasty burger or hot dog, they can get boring after a while. Sometimes, we want to flex our culinary muscles at our grills and for anyone else who may be just hanging around us for the cold beer.

Read more
How to brunch like the French with lobster croissant and champagne
Chef Geoffrey Lechantoux at Maison Close shares his insights on lobster and frog legs for brunch.
Closeup of croissant lobster

The dining room of Maison Close. Maison Close

Brunch, that relaxing weekend breakfast of cocktails, omelets, and conversation with friends, is always a great time. But how about brunch with a French twist? Instead of eggs benedict or a spicy shakshuka, why not foie gras or a lobster brunch? We could all use a bit of luxury sometimes.

Read more
Ranked: 5 popular Scotch whisky bottles (all under $50)
There are deals to be found in the Scotch whisky world
A trio of whiskies

If you’re new to whisky, the phrase “budget Scotch whisky” might seem like an oxymoron on par with jumbo shrimp, dull roar, or working vacation. But it isn’t. Sure, you can spend an awful lot of money on one bottle of long-aged, complex single-malt Scotch whisky, but you can also find myriad value single malts and blended Scotch whiskies well worth adding to your home bar.

For those new to the spirit, Scotch whisky (only the US and Ireland use the ‘e’ in whiskey) is an aged spirit made from malt, grain, or a mixture of malt and grain whiskies. Also, since it’s called ‘Scotch, ' that should let you in on the fact that, like bourbon, Scotch whisky must be produced in Scotland.
Where to find budget Scotch whisky

Read more