There is nothing wrong with Gin and Tonic or Dry Martini, but sometimes you want to make it simple. Here is a list of the nine best gins to try with ice cubes only. It doesn’t get much simpler than this. Pour gin, add ice.
The best gins to try with ice
Most gins are great for making cocktails. Some are best suited for a Dry Martini. Others make the perfect base for a Gin & Tonic, provided that you have the right tonic, of course. A select few gins are so good on their own that it should be considered a sin to add anything more than clear, big ice cubes.
When putting together this list of gins to try with ice only, I was surprised when seeing the geographical span, a sure sign that the art of making premium gins have reached all corners of the world.
1. Tanqueray No 10
Everyone knows Tanqueray. The distinct green bottles can be recognized at a distance. Tanqueray No 10 is not as juniper heavy as it’s younger brother in the deep green bottle. Made in still No 10, this gin is distilled four times, the taste is clear, crisp and citrusy. It can be the base for a good Dry Martini, but on its own, it is pure pleasure.
Country: England
Website: Tanqueray.com
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2. Martin Miller’s
Martin Miller’s gin is unique, both in taste and in the way that it’s made. First, juniper, dried lime peel, and botanicals are distilled. Secondly, lemon and orange peel are distilled separately before both are combined and the alcohol content is adjusted using spring water from Iceland. The result is a unique and tasteful gin that is perfect to sip.
Country: England
Website: Martinmillersgin.com
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3. Monkey 47
Made with cranberries from the Black Forrest in Schwartzwald – Germany, this gin is a delicious mix of juniper and flowers. The floral notes are due to no less than 47(!) botanicals. This gin is bottled at 47%. (As if there was another option.) Check out their cool website.
Country: Germany
Website: Monkey47.com
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4. Cruxland
Being produced in South Africa, made from grapes and infused with Kalahari truffles, this gin represents something new and unique. The sophisticated taste is dominated by Juniper, lemon, and spices, rounded off by the Kalahari truffle. Bonus: The bottle is cool.
Country: South Africa
Website: kwv.co.za
5. Dry Fly Washington Dry Gin
Made from junipers grown in Oregon, and other ingredients grown in the state of Washington, this can truly be called a west coast gin. With things like Fuji apples and hops, this gin makes for a unique combination. You can taste the wheat and the hops in the background, but don’t worry, with juniper, angelica and apples, this is still a gin. And a nice one at that.
Country: United States
Website: Dryflydistilling.com
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6. Williams Chase Elegant 48
What do you get when you gather 48 types of fermented apples and put them in a still? A delicious one-of-a-kind product. Grown, distilled and bottled by hand on a farm in Herefordshire, England, this is a refreshing take on gin.
Country: England
Website:
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7. Bavarka
Made from ten Bavarian herbs, such as hops, fennel seeds, hay flower, orange peel and lemon peel, and paired with a potato-based spirit, this is an exiting gin. The taste is flowery juniper with a hint of bitterness. Perfect in a glass with ice only.
Country: Germany
Website: Lantenhammer.de
8. Filliers Dry Gin 28
Juniper, orange peel, and cinnamon make a perfect combination. The proof of this comes in brown bottles from Belgium. Here, the number 28 does not only refer to the 28 botanicals used but also point to the fact that this is a gin with a tradition. It was first made in 1928.
Country: Belgium
Website: Filliersdrygin28.com
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Making gin in the heart of London – The tale of the City of London Distillery
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9. City of London Sloe Gin
It may seem strange to include a sloe gin on a list of the best gins to try with ice, but it works. Personally, I have never liked sloe gin. That was until I visited the City of London Distillery. Their sloe gin is based on the London dry gin steeped for many months with blackthorn berries. The taste is on the sweet side, making it a perfect avec. In the warmer season, try chilling it with ice.
Country: England
Website: cityoflondondistillery.com
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