If you’re a fan of classic cocktails, there’s a good chance you have at least a few different gins on your home bar cart. This aromatic, botanical spirit is the base for myriad popular classic drinks, including the Negroni, Martini, Gimlet, and the timeless Gin & Tonic. While there’s a whole market of well-known, brand-name products that are perfect for home mixology, sometimes you want to try something lesser-known.
In the two decades I’ve been writing about alcohol, I’ve tried more gins than I’m comfortable mentioning here. I enjoy the herbal, botanical, piney aroma and flavor it brings to cocktails. There are few drinks more perfect than a well-made Gin & Tonic (or Spanish Gin Tonic) on a warm evening. I’ve also learned the appeal of making it with an underrated gin.
What makes a gin underrated?
You might be wondering what makes a gin underrated. Well, to be honest, that word can have different meanings depending on who is using it. To us, it’s a reference to a gin (or any spirit) that is either not a household name or simply doesn’t get the respect it deserves. It’s priced right, has a complex flavor profile, but just hasn’t found a way to find a permanent spot on every home bar from Temecula to Tampa.
A great, underrated gin should be reasonably priced, balanced, and not overly piney and juniper-centric. It should be smooth, clean, and easy to mix with, and feature a balanced blend of flavors such as citrus peels, angelica root, and various spices and other botanicals. Gin is crafted to be mixed with, not to overpower, the other ingredients. Instead, it should work to enhance the other aromas and flavors.
Experts tell us the most underrated gins
Now that you have learned a little about the appeal of underrated and underappreciated gins, it’s time to find some to add to your home bar. To find these gin-soaked diamonds in the rough, we turned to the professionals for help. We tasked a handful of bartenders with telling us the best, most underrated gins to mix with. Keep scrolling to see all of their juniper and botanical-centric choices.
Roku Gin
“Roku Gin deserves far more respect than it gets. Crafted with six Japanese botanicals—like sakura flower and yuzu peel, it offers a beautifully balanced profile that’s delicate, layered, and incredibly versatile in cocktails.” – Heidi Finley, Assistant Food & Beverage Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
Old Raj Blue Gin
“Old Raj Blue may be the star of our gin shelf. The saffron and orange notes give a botanical quality, while the juniper gives structure. The overproof nature of this gin allows it to shine in all kinds of applications despite its beautiful subtlety.” – Marek Zarnow, L Bistro, Bar Manager in Seattle
James Gin American Mustard
“There are so many incredible gins out there that it’s hard to pick just one, but my current favorite – especially for making cocktails and specifically martinis – is James Gin American Mustard. As a big fan of the savory cocktail movement, this gin hits the spot by blending traditional gin characteristics like juniper, angelica root, and coriander with unique ingredients like yellow mustard seed, gherkin, and dried tomato. The result is a modern take on London Dry with a distinct tangy, refreshing quality and just the right touch of spice.” – Molly Horn, Chief Mixologist & Spirits Educator at Total Wine & More
Second Sip Gin
“I’m always looking for gins that bring something new to the back bar without overcomplicating the cocktail, and Second Sip is one I reach for often. It has a clean, modern profile of bright citrus, balanced botanicals, and a soft finish, which really shines in a martini. It’s inspired by classic London Dry gin, but what really sets it apart is the lower ABV. You still get the structure and elegance of a classic build, but in a way that feels more approachable over the course of an evening. It gives you the flexibility to offer guests a martini (or two) without it feeling overly heavy, which is what more people are looking for right now. To me, that’s the mark of an underrated gin, it overdelivers without needing to shout.” – Christine Wiseman, Beverage Director at Vecinos in Miami
Gin Mare
“Working in a Spanish tapas bar, I get to try a great deal of amazing Spanish gins, but Gin Mare is a total curveball in the best way. We’re so used to juniper-heavy dry gins, but this is savory—think rosemary, thyme, and olives. It’s definitely underrated because it doesn’t fit that “standard” profile, but that’s exactly why it works. It makes a Gin & Tonic feel like a full Mediterranean meal, and it’s a game-changer for a dirty Martini. It’s the bottle I reach for when a guest wants something “different” but still classic.” – Sarah Foley, Bar Manager at Bar Sur Mer in Seattle
