Many gin making kits specify that you’ll need “good” vodka but don’t go into specifics. So which vodka is best for making gin with a kit? If you’re just experimenting and would like something cheap and cheerful to start out with, most of the usual brands will do – you don’t need anything special. Each box contains recipe cards to follow, and sometimes there are links to video tutorials you can follow. All you need to provide is the ice, glassware and bar tools! Many of the kits will produce results after 24 hours upwards. This is great if you only have a days’ notice for a party or get together and want to serve your own homemade gin to your guests.

Quality of ingredients: On the arrival of each kit, we looked at whether the botanicals were in good condition. Damaged and shrivelled ingredients are less likely to deliver good flavour. No – you just need a quality base spirit such as a good vodka (a list of suggestions is below) and a clean bottle to infuse everything in. Worthy of special mention, too, is In The Loop’s crisply intoxicating vesper martini. This is perhaps the closest you’ll get to recreating the peerless version of the drink served at Dukes Hotel in London, Ian Fleming’s favoured haunt while he was writing the James Bond novels, and will doubtless leave you shaken – in a good way. Voucher codes It was only a matter of time before tonic kits were created to sit alongside all the artisan gin making kits, but this one’s a little bit more involved, giving you more than just a ‘make your own tonic kit’. Legal reasons: A few states do not allow the shipment of alcohol, so by not including alcohol they can ship subscriptions to any state.

The other was the “Light & Breezy,” a lighter twist on the Dark & Stormy with rum, ginger-lime syrup, lime, seltzer and candied ginger. Next you’ll need the botanicals, which are usually provided in the gin making kits. These can be any combination of natural flavourings such as herbs, berries and so on. Alcohol can be called “gin” if it’s more than 37.5% ABV and one of the botanicals is juniper berries.

Our expert panel worked their way through each item in 21 gift sets, looking for smooth, easy-drinking gins with well-balanced botanicals. Additional items were judged on flavour and quality, while also taking into consideration the overall presentation. Since you’re doing this at home, you don’t need to abide by such stringent definitions so you can include whatever you like! Many of the kits have a great selection of botanicals to try, but you can also buy them separately and go wild with different combinations. How long does it take to make gin at home? Selection of botanicals: A variety of appealing botanicals make for an exciting gin-making experience. Infuse the gin one afternoon and you can be sipping it the next evening. It’s just enough time to consider which tonic will go best with it! Other, more complex kits can take about a week. Which Vodka is best for making gin? As a rule of thumb, if a drink consists solely of spirits, liqueurs and fortified wines, give it a stir rather than a shake. Why do you need to use a jigger?Disclosure: I received free products in exchange for my honest opinions. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Feast + West. Looking for something extra special? You'll also find a selection of premium offerings containing full-size bottles of gin. How we test gin gift sets Quality of infused gin: The most important thing. We marked the gin on its taste, flavour, and colour (both on its own and in combination with tonic) to determine which kits made it into our best list.

The March box included the “Not Your Dad’s Irish Coffee” with vanilla syrup and pineapple juice. It was truly unlike any Irish coffee I’ve ever had! But so very good. This kit is ideal for a date night or a girls’ night in, which is when I tested it (at a hen party). If you wanted a pink gin making kit, this one’s worth considering since it starts off blue and/or purple, and then adding tonic makes the gin turn pink. Most people use the same vodka bottle if the kit doesn’t include one, though some kits also provide attractive bottles for you to present your gin creation in. You don’t have to use vodka – but it’s a good neutral spirit to start with. Other people might get creative and use schnapps or other similar spirits.

The Verdict: Cocktail making kits

A basic jigger is sometimes also called a double jigger because it has two different sides used to measure different amounts (50ml and 25ml in the UK, or a double and a single).

This kit is a little bit different. It’s not for infusing vodka to make gin, but to add spices and botanicals to an existing glass of gin and tonic. If you’re looking for the best gin botanical kit, then this is one of the best ones I’ve seen. This is often true for spirit-forward drinks like the Martini which, which should always be stirred rather than shaken.The first time I made gin at home I was reminded of dodgy Prohibition “bathtub gin”. It’s not like that – it’s very respectable to make gin with a kit. So respectable you’ll be giving home made gin to your friends as presents and making your own range, if you fancy. Do I need any specialist equipment other than the gin making kit? Price: Not including alcohol keeps the prices of the subscription down so you can choose the best alcohol brand for your budget. Instruction manual: Part of the fun of gin-making is the process, so instructions that are clear and easy to follow are key. The kit comes with a selection of high-quality botanicals that are beautifully presented with a jigger and mixing spoon in the kit case. These include things like pink pepper, Ceylon cinnamon and cardamom.