The Gin Wave

Gin has definitely left behind the days when it was considered merely a juniper-flavoured spirit. The selection of both foreign and Norwegian gins has exploded, including in duty-free shops at Norwegian airports.

Now you can explore an almost endless range of complex, exciting and nuanced flavours.

 

Small distilleries take over

In the United Kingdom, the home of gin, interest in the drink has exploded, and last year the value of gin sales doubled. A total of 47 million bottles were sold, which corresponds to at least 700 million Gin & Tonics (G&Ts).

The main reason for this is an enormous surge of interest in smaller producers and new, exciting variations on the classic G&T, says gin expert Kenneth Røising at Travel Retail Norway, which operates duty-free shops at the country's largest airports.

 

Kenneth's perfect G&T

• Fill a chilled tall glass with as much ice as possible.
• The rule of thumb is half gin, half tonic – as long as the glass is filled to the brim with ice cubes.
• Different gins can have different strengths and characteristics, so experiment with different amounts of gin and tonic.
• Choose a tonic that complements your choice of gin.
• Stir gently so that the ingredients mix without losing the carbonation.
• Find a garnish that reflects the ingredients in the gin.
• Use a straw – ice cubes are not good for your teeth.

He draws parallels to the huge interest in small breweries and points to a growing number of ‘mini distilleries’ that have popped up here in Norway as well. Today, there are more than 20 different Norwegian gin brands.

 

Norwegian flavours from Norwegian nature

Classic gin is flavoured with juniper berries. The new, smaller producers like to experiment with different flavours, often focusing on local ingredients.
- Most of the herbs used to flavour gin can be found in Norwegian nature, and many new small producers have really started to take advantage of this to create exclusive and world-leading products, says Røising.

You can find several Norwegian gin varieties in the duty-free shops.

 

Pimp your G&T

In the wake of the flood of new, exciting gin varieties, bartenders and other gin lovers have let their imaginations run wild when creating new variations of the classic cocktail.
- Previously, the choice was mostly between lime or lemon in your G&T – now you can pimp your cocktail by reflecting the ingredients used by the distillery, both in terms of the type of tonic you choose and the garnish you serve it with, explains Røising.

Did you know that...

• Gin is basically vodka flavoured with juniper berries.
• More gin is drunk in the Philippines than in any other country.
• G&T originated as a “medicine” for malaria.
• British colonists drank tonic water containing extract of cinchona bark. This contains quinine, which is effective against malaria.
• Eventually, they began mixing it with gin to improve the taste.
• Dutch genever is also a type of spirit flavoured with juniper berries.
• The Dutch believe they "invented" gin since genever came first, while the British say that gin is a unique style and therefore a British invention.

One of his own favourites is cucumber and/or rose petals in gin brands that are flavoured with the same ingredients.

Read more about how to make the perfect gin and tonic here.

 

Experimenting with flavours

In addition to the classic juniper berry, both new and established gin producers have now begun experimenting with a wide range of flavours.

- You can find peppercorns, lemongrass, cucumber and rose petals. All of this can be balanced against the type of tonic you choose to use, which suddenly turns the classic G&T into a very exciting and incredibly varied cocktail, says Røising.

 

Travel to Spain for the ultimate gin experience

For those who want to take a proper study trip and learn about the latest and most exciting G&T varieties, Kenneth Røising recommends travelling to Spain.

- Although the British claim to have invented the cocktail, it is the Spanish who have recently excelled in terms of inventiveness and finesse in their use of different G&T combinations, he says.

 

Finding the perfect mixer

Parallel to the explosion in the number of types of gin, a huge selection of tonics has also appeared. They can be sweet, dry, bitter, strong or mild, and the choice of tonic can be just as important as the choice of gin.

- After all, the mixer makes up two-thirds of the cocktail. And this is precisely what the Spanish have become experts at, says Røising.

 

The quest for the Holy Grail

In the many bars throughout Spain that specialise exclusively in G&T, they are extremely careful to match the right tonic with the right gin. Here, they are less concerned with garnishes and focus on the taste of the main ingredients.

- They also serve the cocktail in large, round Cabernet glasses so that the aroma can come into its own, says Røising.

- Finding the perfect match between a gin and a tonic is a bit like hunting for the Holy Grail, but at least you won't get tired of tasting your way through them, he believes.

You can also ask for advice in the duty-free shop.

 

The perfect match between gin and food

Most people probably use G&T as a refreshing cocktail, but with the large and growing selection now available, there is nothing to stop you from pairing gin with food.

- Pure gin with a fresh juniper flavour, for example, goes well with Norwegian game dishes such as grouse or reindeer. Seafood, such as juniper-smoked salmon or trout, also pairs well with gin, and a well-chilled gin can be enjoyed on its own as a schnapps alongside beer, says Røising, who recommends thinking of gin as an alternative to clear aquavit.