The main difference between pink gin and normal gin is that normal gin is a distilled alcohol flavoured with juniper berries while pink gin is normal gin flavoured with angostura bitters.
Gin is a popular distilled alcohol made from grain and flavoured with juniper berries. Pink gin, on the other hand, is a gin flavoured with angostura bitters. Although pink gin has a distinctive colour, it has no added sugar and has the same alcohol volume as normal gin.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Gin
– Definition, Features
2. What is Pink Gin
– Definition, Features
3. What are the Similarities Between Pink Gin and Normal Gin
– Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Pink Gin and Normal Gin
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Genever, Gin, London Dry Gin, Old Tom gin, Pink Gin, Plymouth gin
What is Gin
Gin is a distilled alcohol made from grain and flavoured with juniper berries. Juniper berries give gin a notable pine flavour. Moreover, most of us consume gin with tonic water, and we rarely drink it straight or on the rocks. In addition, gin is one of the main ingredients in a classic martini. Gin is believed to have a Dutch origin, but it soon became popular across Europe. Furthermore, gin can be produced from different ways using various ingredients; this has given rise to different styles and brands of gin.
Genever is the Dutch version and the original style of gin. It is distilled from malted grain mash, similar to whiskey, and tends to be lower proof than English gin. London dry gin is the most well-known and widely produced version of gin in the world today. In fact, most people consider it the benchmark that defines gin. Moreover, most people use London dry gin to make martinis. The sweeter version of London dry gin is Old Tom gin. Plymouth gin, on the other hand, is a clear, somewhat fruity, full-bodied gin that is aromatic. As its name suggests, this style originated in the port of Plymouth. Today, only one distillery has the right to produce it – Plymouth, Coates & Co. Therefore, it’s a style as well as a brand name.
What is Pink Gin
Pink gin is basically normal gin flavoured with angostura bitters. It is angostura bitters that give it a reddish or pinkish colour. Moreover, pink gin has no added sugar and contains the same alcohol volume as normal gin.
It’s also important to note that pink gin is both a spirit and a cocktail. However, the spirit and the cocktail are not the same. Interestingly, the cocktail came first – the combination of gin and angostura bitters was consumed by Europeans as early as the 1800s. With the gradual passage of time, this cocktail recipe also began to change as people added various ingredients to this cocktail. Therefore, the modern pink gin may contain a combination of gin and infusions of red and pink fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and red currents.
Similarities Between Pink Gin and Normal Gin
- Pink gin has no added sugar and also contains the same alcohol volume as normal gin.
Difference Between Pink Gin and Normal Gin
Definition
Normal gin is a distilled alcohol flavoured with juniper berries while pink gin is normal gin flavoured with angostura bitters or red and/or pink fruits.
Colour
Pink gin has a pink colour while normal gin has a clear colour.
Type
Gin is a spirit while pink gin is both a spirit and a cocktail.
Ingredients
Gin contains distilled grains and juniper berries while pink gin contains gin, angostura bitters or infusions of red and pink fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and red currents.
Conclusion
The main difference between pink gin and normal gin is that normal gin is a distilled alcohol flavoured with juniper berries while pink gin is normal gin flavoured with angostura bitters.
Reference:
1. “Pink Gin: What Is It? – Drink History.” Moonshine University, 18 Feb. 2020, Available here.
2. Porter, Gabi. “What Is Gin, Exactly?” Food Republic, 2 Apr. 2012, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Napue Gin” By Aatu Dorochenko – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Pink Gin” (CC BY 2.5 ca) via Commons Wikimedia
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