The Best Gin For Gin and Tonic
When it comes to the perfect gin for a Gin and Tonic, Wondrich follows the words of Chairman Mao: “Let a thousand flowers bloom.” “Tonic is a strongly-flavored enough mixer that you can get away with using even the weirdest, most innovative modern gins,” he says. Here are two ideal choices.
The Best Gin For Martinis
For Martinis, Wondrich likes to use a classic, straight-forward London Dry Gin: “A strong, heavy-juniper one if I’m using a lot of vermouth, or a lighter one if I’m cutting back on the vermouth.” Another expert tip on gin for Martinis comes from David T. Smith, author or The Gin Dictionary, who says that “coolness is key for a martini, so whether you like it shaken or stirred, a gin with a slightly higher ABV of 45% or 47% alcohol (such as the Nolet’s below) give you more of a chance to preserve its punch and power and the flavor won’t be lost by being too watery.” Here are two gins ideal for your martini.
The Best Gin For Sours
For sours and citrus cocktails that are perfect in the warmer weather, Wondrich prefers gins to be “bright and clean.” The below bottles fit the bill.
The Best Sipping Gin
When it comes to sipping, Wondrich enjoys “gin’s older Dutch cousin: genever, which has a base spirit that is closer to whiskey.” The two gins below are each made from base grains often associated with whiskey — malted barley and rye — making them both easy segue to gin appreciation for whiskey lovers.