Gin: the botanical beauty that fuels martinis, gin & tonics, and a whole lot of summer. But for all its growing popularity, this iconic spirit is still surrounded by a haze of myths and misunderstandings.
Whether you're a casual gin sipper or a seasoned connoisseur, chances are you've heard at least one of these myths — and maybe even believed it. Let’s clear the air (and your glass) with the truth behind the most common gin myths.
🧪 Myth #1: Gin Tastes Like Pine Trees
The Truth:
Yes, juniper is the core botanical in gin — and it does give a piney, resinous flavor. But today’s gins explore a vast range of botanical profiles. From citrus-forward to floral, spicy to earthy, gin has evolved into one of the most diverse spirit categories in the world.
If you’ve only tried one pine-heavy London Dry and didn’t like it, don’t write off gin. Try something lighter like a cucumber-infused gin, or a modern expression with lavender, cardamom, or even yuzu.
🧊 Myth #2: Gin Is a Summer-Only Drink
The Truth:
While gin and tonic may scream summer, gin is incredibly versatile year-round. A spicy Old Tom gin in a Negroni or warm spiced gin cocktail works beautifully in colder months. Barrel-aged gins, which bring vanilla and caramel notes, are perfect for winter sipping.
💥 Myth #3: All Gins Are London Dry
The Truth:
London Dry is a style, not a location. It refers to a method of production, not a place — and definitely not the only kind of gin. There’s Old Tom (sweeter), Plymouth (earthier), New Western/Contemporary (botanically experimental), Genever (malty and juniper-light), and more.
🧃 Myth #4: You Can Mix Gin With Just Tonic
The Truth:
Tonic is the most popular mixer, but gin pairs beautifully with a wide range of ingredients: ginger beer, soda water, bitter lemon, grapefruit juice, or even tea. Get creative! Many gins are made to shine in cocktails well beyond the G&T.
🧴 Myth #5: Flavored Gins Aren’t Real Gin
The Truth:
Flavored gins (like rhubarb, pink berry, or citrus gins) can still be legally considered gin — as long as they include juniper as the dominant botanical. Some are gin-based liqueurs, which are lower in ABV and sweeter, but that doesn’t make them fake — just different.
🧓 Myth #6: Gin Is for Grandmas
The Truth:
This stereotype is way outdated. Gin is trending hard among millennials and Gen Z, especially in the craft scene. Distilleries are experimenting with everything from seaweed to tea, local botanicals to barrel-aging. The gin scene is anything but old-fashioned.
🧊 Myth #7: Gin Gives Worse Hangovers Than Other Spirits
The Truth:
There’s no scientific evidence that gin is worse for hangovers than other spirits. The severity of a hangover has more to do with quantity, dehydration, congeners (which gin has relatively few of), and sugar content in mixers — not the spirit itself.
🚫 Myth #8: You Hate Gin Because of That One Time…
The Truth:
Many people’s dislike of gin comes from a bad college G&T or a harsh, piney gin they tried once. But the gin world has changed dramatically. Give it another shot — literally — with a smoother modern gin or a cocktail designed to showcase its best side.
🧭 Final Thoughts
Gin is no longer a one-note spirit. It’s diverse, complex, and constantly evolving. So before you dismiss it as too piney, old-fashioned, or one-dimensional — give it a fresh look. With so many styles and botanicals on the market today, your perfect gin might just be one sip away.
🍋 Bonus Tip: Want to explore gin like a pro? Try a “gin flight” with different styles: a London Dry, a floral New Western, a barrel-aged, and an Old Tom — and see how wildly different they can be.