It might not feel like it, but it’s still spring until summer begins on June 21. This means you have more time to enjoy warm-weather cocktails. In spring and summer, no spirit is better for the season than gin. Still, there are many options to consider.
Before we get into the best gins for spring, it’s important to learn why gin is such a great summery spirit, you might ask? I’ve spent a long time drinking alcohol in the sun, and I can tell you there’s nothing better than the botanical, piney, herbal flavor of a gin when mixed with citrus, cucumber, or other complementary flavors on a hot, humid day.
Why gin is perfect for spring
There are many reasons why gin is the perfect spirit. Vodka is too lacking in flavor at times, whiskey is too complex, and while rum and tequila have their own claim to the warm-weather throne, nothing beats gin. It’s light yet flavorful, with notes of pine needles, herbs, botanicals, and sometimes citrus and other flavors, thanks to ingredients like juniper berries, coriander, angelica root, citrus peels, and more.
Gin is the base for some of the most beloved warm-weather cocktails of all time. This includes drinks like the Gin & Tonic (and its Spanish Gin Tonic counterpart), the Gin Gimlet, and the epic, seasonally appropriate Negroni.
The best gins for spring
Now that you’ve learned a little about the appeal of gin during the warmer months, it’s time to find some bottles to add to your home bar. These gins are a mix of different types. They include a London dry gin, an artisanal gin, a citrus-driven gin, and a popular gin that uses rose petals and cucumber to elevate it.
How do I choose my gins?
Just like with other spirits, there’s a science to how I choose the gins that find permanent spots on my home bar cart (especially during the spring and summer months). The best gins don’t lean too heavily in the juniper department. You don’t want to be punched in the face with pine tree air freshener flavor. I look for gins that are balanced between juniper and other botanicals and fruits. I also look for versatility with my gin. I don’t want to be stuck with a bottle that I can only use for one or two cocktails. A great summer gin can be used as a base for (or an ingredient in) a number of cocktails.
Now that you’ve learned what I look for when purchasing gin, it’s time to let you in on some of my favorite bottles.
Tanqueray London Dry Gin
In the pantheon of London dry gins, few are more well-known than Tanqueray London Dry Gin. This classic gin begins with a 100% neutral grain spirit that’s infused with juniper, angelica root, coriander, and licorice. The result is a balanced, highly mixable gin that begins with a nose of pine needles, juniper berries, angelica, and gentle aromatic spices. Sipping it reveals notes of lemongrass, juniper berries, cracked black pepper, and wintry spices. The finish is long, warm, and ends with a pleasant spicy kick. It’s a great choice for a classic Gin & Tonic and pretty much any other gin-based cocktail you enjoy.
Las Californias Cítrico Gin
If you’ve never tried Las Californias Citrico Gin, it is a citrus-driven gin, as the name suggests. This 80-proof gin is distilled from sugar cane (like a rum) before being infused with California juniper, leaves and peels from Eureka lemons, grapefruit, sweet oranges, and Persian limes, lemongrass, almond, grapevine leaves and vines, and dried figs and apricots. This creates a unique, flavorful gin that opens with aromas of lemon peels, tangerine, grapefruit, and pine. The palate is centered on herbal tea, juniper, dried fruits, and fresh citrus. The finish is lingering, warm, and ends with a dry mix of sweet and tart citrus.
St. George Terroir
If you only purchase one gin from this list, make it St. George Terroir. As the name suggests, this isn’t your average gin. The forest-forward spirit is flavored with coastal sage, Douglas fir, California bay laurel, juniper, and other herbs, citrus fruits, and botanicals. This results in a well-balanced gin that opens with aromas of pine needles, juniper, and oak. The palate is loaded with flavors like pine, sage, citrus peels, and herbal tea. The finish is warm, medium in length, and ends with flavors of fir needles, mint, and gentle spices.
Hendrick’s Gin
There are few gins on the market with fresher, summery flavors than Hendrick’s Gin. This Scottish gin is flavored with 11 herbs and botanicals, including juniper, coriander, orris root, elderflower, and more. It gets its unique flavor from the infusion of cucumber and Bulgarian Damask rose petal essences after distillation. This creates a mixable, flavorful gin that begins with a nose of cucumber, juniper, and rose petals. The palate follows suit with notes of pine, citrus peels, cucumber, and floral hints. The finish is long, warm, and ends with hints of cucumber, rose, and just a hint of peppery spice.
