Gin: Juniper as the base note, botanicals as the signature

Gin is a spirit made from neutral alcohol of agricultural origin that tastes of juniper berries and has an alcohol content of at least 37.5% vol. Juniper must be at the forefront; everything else—citrus peels, flowers, spices, herbs—is the distillery's signature. At Leni & Hans, you will find gin from Cologne, Berlin, Karlsruhe, the Volcanic Eifel, the Moselle region, and the Münsterland.

Three levels: Gin, Distilled Gin, and London Gin

EU spirit regulations recognize three gin categories. With simple gin, the juniper flavor can also be added to the alcohol via flavorings. A distilled gin is created by re-distilling high-proof alcohol with juniper and other natural botanicals; flavorings and color may be added afterward. The strictest category is London Gin: its flavor must come exclusively from the distillation process, and it cannot be colored. If the label also says "Dry," the gin is practically unsweetened. We explain what this means in detail in the subcategories.

Beyond the production method, the base defines the character. Windspiel from the Eifel region uses alcohol made from potatoes rather than grain for all their gins. The Sasse fine distillery in Münsterland works with hand-picked juniper from the County of Bentheim, while Dr. Jaglas in Berlin uses fresh juniper berries and ginseng root. A gin liqueur like the Pink Grapefruit from Hoos, on the other hand, is sweetened, has less alcohol than gin, and is therefore categorized under liqueurs.

Our gin producers

Our top seller is the Gin de Cologne Mini, a London Dry Gin from Cologne-Ehrenfeld with lemon, orange, and lime peels, lavender, and hibiscus flowers—limy and mild. It is also available in a full-sized bottle as Gin de Cologne, as an Orange and Rosé variety, and in gift boxes with Cologne motifs like the double gift box with Classic and Rosé. You can find all varieties at Gin de Cologne.

Also very popular is the Windspiel Premium Dry Christmas Gin with apple, vanilla, roasted hazelnut, and gold leaf. Windspiel distills in the Volcanic Eifel at 47% vol, including the Caxambu Coffee Gin with Arabica distillate from Brazil. Wajos from Dohr on the Moselle offers flavored gins ranging from Summer and BBQ to Christmas, as well as a gin advent calendar with 24 miniatures and tonic syrups.

Things get classic with Hoos London Gin: Heiko Hoos distills his London Gin in Karlsruhe in 120-bottle batches using 15 botanicals, including pine shoots and chamomile. From Berlin come the Organic Dry Gin by Kakuzo with yuzu, satsuma, and a tea blend; the London Dry Gin from the Deutsche Spirituosen Manufaktur with a good three dozen botanicals; and the Dry GIN-seng from Dr. Jaglas with ginseng root and 50% vol. The Sasse fine distillery contributes the Grafschafter Heide Gin with hand-picked juniper from the County of Bentheim.

Gin and Tonic and more

A Gin and Tonic is the simplest way to get acquainted: one part gin to four parts tonic, plenty of ice, and a garnish that complements the gin. A slice of lime goes with the limy Gin de Cologne, an orange slice with the orange gin, a few berries with the rosé, and rosemary and grapefruit with Windspiel’s Pink Grapefruit Gin. Herbaceous-dry gins go well with a dry tonic; fruity ones pair well with a mild or Mediterranean one. If you want to mix further, we offer gins for Negroni, Dry Martini, and Basil Smash. By the way, "pink gin" refers to any pink-colored gin, usually colored by berries or grapefruit; for us, these are the Gin de Cologne Rosé and the Pink Grapefruit Gin.

Buying gin: size, occasion, storage

• For tasting: Minis with 50, 100, or 200 ml are available from Gin de Cologne, Hoos, and Dr. Jaglas.
• As a gin gift set: Gift boxes with one or two bottles, apothecary bottles in a carton, and the advent calendar with 24 gins.
• Labeling: Some fruity gins contain coloring, and some flavored gins contain sulfites. Both are stated on the label and in the product description.
• Storage: upright, in the dark, and at room temperature; the refrigerator is unnecessary. Protect colored gins especially from light.
• Age restriction: Sale only to persons aged 18 and over.

Dry Gin, London Dry Gin, and more spirits

Under London Dry Gin, you will find the classic distilled gins from Cologne, Karlsruhe, and Berlin with juniper, citrus, and herbs. Dry Gin features dry gins with their own unique flair, from pepper and coffee to basil, apple, and cinnamon. You can find all other bottles under Spirits, and the perfect vermouth for Negroni and Martini under Vermouth.

Order gin online

Whether you need gin for your own bar, a gift box with a Cologne motif, or an advent calendar for the weeks before Christmas: at Leni & Hans, you can order gin online, and your package will arrive in 1–3 days.