Leslie Massey
Making gin at home in Australia is a fun and simple process. While commercial gin is made by distilling spirits bought from industrial ethanol factories, homemade gin can be made by simply steeping plants, herbs, or spices in a base spirit like vodka. This method of making gin at home is known as compound gin or bathtub gin, referring to the practice of making gin at home during the American Prohibition in the 1920s. To make your own gin, you can experiment with different botanicals such as juniper berries, coriander seeds, citrus peel, cardamom pods, and nutmeg to create unique flavours. The process involves mixing the ingredients, infusing them for a few days, and then sieving and filtering the mixture to create a clear spirit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Vodka, juniper berries, coriander seed, citrus peel, and other botanicals |
| Equipment | Sterilised mason jar or glass bottle, wine or beer siphon, boiler, water filter jug, sieve, muslin, carbon filter |
| Process | Mix ingredients, steep for 24 hours, taste and add more botanicals if desired, filter out botanicals, leave for 48 hours, filter out remaining sediment, dilute to 40% ABV with water |
| Time | Up to a week |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your base spirit
Choosing the base spirit for your gin is an important step in the gin-making process. While commercial gin makers usually use spirits bought from industrial ethanol factories, home gin makers typically use vodka as their base spirit. This is because gin can be made with any neutral spirit, and vodka is the most readily available option.
When choosing your vodka, it is recommended to opt for a high-proof variety. This is because the higher the proof, the better the vodka will be at extracting flavours from the botanicals you choose to infuse. Additionally, a higher-proof vodka will result in a clearer-looking spirit. If you are unable to get your hands on high-proof vodka, you can always dilute a lower-proof vodka with distilled water to increase its ABV.
It is worth noting that while vodka is the most common and convenient option for a base spirit, it is not the only option. Gin can be made from any neutral spirit, so feel free to experiment with other options such as ethanol or even homemade spirits. For example, you could make your own spirit by fermenting and distilling wine, as seen in some of the homemade gin recipes.
However, it is important to keep in mind that the base spirit you choose will impact the final flavour profile of your gin. Vodka is often chosen as it has a very neutral flavour, allowing the botanicals to shine through. Using a different spirit may result in a more complex flavour profile, so be sure to take this into account when selecting your base spirit.
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Selecting botanicals
Start with the Classics: Juniper berries are the cornerstone of gin and must be included in your recipe. They provide that quintessential piney, woody, and slightly fruity flavour that is unmistakably gin. Coriander seeds and angelica root are also traditional botanicals that create a solid base for your gin and help round out the flavour profile.
Balance is Key: Think about balancing your botanicals to create a harmonious flavour profile. This means considering not just individual flavours but also how they interact and complement each other. For example, citrus peels can add a bright, fresh note that lifts the entire profile, while cardamom pods bring a warm, spicy element.
Freshness and Quality: Opt for fresh, high-quality botanicals whenever possible. This ensures that the essential oils are at their most potent, resulting in a more flavourful gin. If using dried botanicals, ensure they are stored properly to retain their flavour and aroma.
Experiment with Australian Natives: Australia has a wealth of unique native botanicals that can give your gin a distinct character. Consider using lemon myrtle for a citrusy, lemongrass-like flavour with a hint of eucalyptus. Native pepper berries add a spicy kick, while strawberry gum lends a unique, fruity aroma.
Personalise Your Blend: Think about your favourite flavours and aromas, and don't be afraid to experiment. If you love the scent of lavender, include some in your recipe. Perhaps you want to capture the essence of a particular memory, like a walk through a pine forest—in that case, you might add some pine needles to your botanical blend.
Taste and Adjust: Creating your botanical blend is a highly personal and iterative process. Don't be afraid to make small batches to test how different botanicals interact. Taste and adjust your recipe until you achieve a balance that suits your palate and desired flavour profile.
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Sterilising your equipment
Begin by gathering all the equipment you'll need for the gin-making process, including your still, pots, fermenting containers, spoons, funnels, and any other tools you plan to use. It's important that everything that comes into contact with your gin is sterilised to prevent contamination.
The most common method for sterilising homebrewing equipment is to use a solution of sodium metabisulphite, also known as Campden tablets. Dissolve one Campden tablet in 750ml of warm water to create your sterilising solution. Ensure you wear gloves and safety goggles during this process for protection.
Completely submerge each piece of equipment in the solution, making sure that all surfaces are in contact with the sterilising liquid. Leave the equipment in the solution for at least 20 minutes. This will kill any bacteria, wild yeast, or other microorganisms that could spoil your gin or affect the taste.
After soaking, remove each piece of equipment from the solution and rinse it thoroughly with clean, warm water. Ensure that all traces of the sterilising solution are removed. Pay particular attention to rinsing hard-to-reach areas, such as the threads of lids and the insides of airlocks.
Finally, allow your equipment to air-dry on a clean rack or surface. Ensure that your equipment is completely dry before use. It's important to note that you should not use fabric towels to dry your equipment, as they can harbour bacteria. Instead, allow everything to air-dry completely before assembling your equipment and beginning the gin-making process.
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Mixing and steeping
Firstly, sterilise a clean mason jar or glass bottle with boiling water. This is an important step to ensure that your gin does not spoil or become contaminated. Once the jar or bottle is sterilised and dry, you can begin the mixing process.
For the mixing process, you will need a neutral spirit, such as vodka, as your base. Add 30 grams (or 2 tablespoons) of juniper berries to the vodka. Juniper berries are what define gin, so they are an essential ingredient. You can also add 5 grams (or 1 teaspoon) of coriander seed and a strip of citrus peel, either fresh or dried. These ingredients are known as 'botanicals', and they give the gin its unique flavour. You can experiment with different botanicals to create your own signature blend. Some popular options include cardamom pods, nutmeg, angelica root, orris root, lavender, chamomile, rose, rosemary, or sage. Simply mix all the ingredients together in the jar or bottle.
After mixing, it is time to let the gin steep. Leave the mixture to infuse in a cool, dark place for 24 hours. During this time, the botanicals will release their flavours and aromas into the spirit. Give the bottle a gentle shake at least once during the 24-hour period. Be careful not to leave it too long, as you do not want to over-infuse the mixture. Think of it like brewing a strong cup of tea—you want to steep it just long enough to extract the desired flavour.
After the initial steeping period, it's time to taste your creation. Remove the bottle from its steeping place and give it a gentle swirl to mix the ingredients again. Then, take a small sip or use a spoon to taste the gin. If you are happy with the flavour, you can move on to the next step. However, if you feel it needs a stronger taste, you can let it steep for another 24 hours. Remember to shake the bottle at least once during this additional steeping time.
Finally, once you are satisfied with the flavour, it is time to filter out the botanicals. Use a sieve to carefully strain the mixture and remove the juniper berries, coriander seeds, and any other botanicals. Be sure to leave the liquid to sit for a couple of days and then filter it again to remove any remaining sediment. You can use muslin or a coffee filter for a finer strain.
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Filtering and bottling
After mixing your ingredients, it's important to be patient and let the gin rest. Depending on the recipe, you might leave it for 24 hours, giving the bottle a gentle shake at least once. Beware of leaving it too long and over-infusing the mixture – just like brewing tea, the longer you leave it, the stronger the flavour will be.
Once you're happy with the taste, it's time to filter out the botanicals. Use a sieve to separate the liquid from the solids. If there's still some sediment left, use a coffee filter or muslin to strain again. Leave the liquid to sit for a couple of days and then filter out any remaining sediment. If you want your gin to be crystal clear, you can put it through a water filter jug.
Now it's time to bottle your gin! Feel free to create a label and design your own unique packaging. You can also experiment with different bottles to find the perfect container for your creation. Sterilise your chosen bottle with boiling water before filling it with your gin.
Finally, your homemade gin is ready to be shared with your nearest and dearest. Enjoy the fruits of your labour and don't forget to savour the unique flavour of your handcrafted spirit!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a neutral spirit, such as vodka, and juniper berries. You can experiment with other botanicals to flavour your gin, such as coriander seeds, citrus peel, cardamom pods, nutmeg, angelica root, orris root, lavender, chamomile, rose, rosemary, or sage.
You will need a still for distilling your spirit. You can purchase a handcrafted copper alembic still or build your own still. You will also need a wine or beer siphon to put the wash into the boiler of your still, a hydrometer to check the fermentation, and a carbon filter to filter your spirit.
There are two main methods for making gin at home: steeping and vapour infusion. For steeping, you will mix your ingredients together and leave them to infuse for 24 hours. Then, you will filter out the botanicals using a sieve and leave the liquid to sit for a couple of days before bottling your gin. For vapour infusion, you will put your botanicals in a special basket and pass the spirit vapour over them.
Your homemade gin may come out looking yellow or orange, depending on the botanicals you use. If you want a clearer-looking spirit, you can pass it through a water filter jug a few times.
