The Difference Between Gin and Vodka
Here at Summerhall Distillery, we love a good gin (no surprises there). But every now and then, someone asks: "Isn't gin just flavoured vodka?" And while that's not a million miles off, it's not quite the full picture either. So let's clear it up and tell you the real difference between gin and vodka.
The Short Answer
For those who want a short and sweet answer. Vodka is pure, clean and neural. Whereas Gin is its more botanicals, better-travelled cousin.
The Long Answer
For those who want to get down into the science of spirits, buckle up.
1. Base Spirits: They Start the Same
Both gin and vodka start life as a neutral spirit. This can be made from grains, potatoes, grapes - even sugar beets. If we're going to be pedantic, Gin normally made with grains, whereas Vodka can be made from similar grain but is more commonly made with potatoes.
You might hear the term GNS which stands for Grain Neutral Spirit, which I would say is the most common neutral spirit used in the industry. It's a high-proof neutral-flavoured alcohol distilled from grains like corn, wheat, or barley.
It's made by fermenting a mash of grains and then distilling the fermented mash to a high alcohol content, around 96% ABV (this would literally kill you if you drank it). If you see any big containers or IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Container) outside a distillery it will probably contain GNS.
This base spirit is your blank canvas. The difference lies in what you do with it next.
2. Flavour: Here's Where it Gets Interesting
Vodka stays neutral. It might get filtered through charcoal or quartz to smooth it out, but it's designed to be subtle, clean, crisp, and usually unflavoured. It make a great base for cocktails, both highlighting and absorbing other ingredients mixed or shaken with it.
Gin, on the other, is all about the botanicals. To legally be called gin, it must be flavoured with juniper - that's the piney, resinous note you taste - and usually a supporting cast of herbs, spices, citrus peels, and flowers.
We use our beloved copper still 'Emily' and 'Gert' to carefully infuse our base spirit with our nine botanical recipe, giving Pickering's Gin its smooth, balanced, and unmistakeable flavour.
3. The Distillation Process
Vodka is often distilled multiple times for purity and neutrality. The goal is to strip away any character. Saying this, there are some brands who heavily market their product as being 12 times or 50 times distilled and firstly they might be fibbing what they deem a distillation process, and secondly it doesn't mean it's a better vodka. So, with any claims do your research first.
Gin, however, is distilled (or sometimes cold-compounded) with botanicals to add character. There are a few different ways to do this:
- London Dry Gin: The most traditional gin. Botanicals are added before the final distillation, and nothing artificial is added afterward. Leaving you with a dry, juniper-forward gin with a clean finish.
- Distilled Gin: Follows a similar process to London Dry Gin but flavours can be added after distillation and opens the door to more creative, bold and sometimes sweeter gins.
- Cold Compounded Gin (aka Bathtub Gin): The more DIY version of making gin, botanicals are steeped in the spirit post-distillation. It's how gins were made during Prohibition - hence the terms bathtub gin. It's how a lot of people at home customise bottles of gin.
4. In the Glass
Vodka provides a great blank canvas for many cocktails. With its neutral palette it can mix with practically anything - fruit juices, tonic, soda, vermouth - without leaving much trace of itself. It works great in Moscow Mules, Bloody Mary's or a classic Vodka Martini.
Gin on the other hand brings flavour to the party. Its botanicals add layers of complexity turning a simple drinks into something elegant and intriguing. Even tasting gin neat and then adding tonic can completely change the flavour profile - it really is a magical spirit. The crux is that different gin work differently in each drink, depending on their botanicals. Classic Gin cocktails include a G&T, Negroni, Martini or a French 75.
Final Sip
So yes, they're both clear spirits and they start off the same, but don't let looks fool you. Vodka is your understated best friend, reliable, unassuming, and easy to mix. Gin is the bold character at the table, expressive, aromatic, and full of flavour.
And if you ask us which one we’d rather have in our glass? Well… we think you know the answer.
