what is gin alcohol

Gin is a distilled alcoholic beverage that gets its primary flavor from juniper berries. It is made from a base of grain, such as wheat or barley, which is first fermented and then distilled. The flavors of gin come from its botanicals, which are the herbs, seeds, flowers, plants, or spices added during production. All gins must contain juniper, and the predominant flavor in gin must be juniper, otherwise, the drink cannot be defined as gin by law. Gin is produced in different ways from herbal cocktail ingredients, accounting for a wide range of distinct styles and brands. The two most common types of gin found in the United States are distilled and redistilled gin, both of which receive their flavors from an infusion of fresh or dried juniper berries and other botanical ingredients. Compound gin is the third type of gin, which is less common and cheaper. This is a mixture of a neutral spirit with juniper berry extract or essences to achieve flavoring. The average ABV for gin is around 40%, and the majority is bottled at 80 proof.