London Dry Gin: the flavor comes only from the still

London Dry Gin is the most strictly regulated gin category in the EU: its entire flavor is created during the distillation of alcohol with juniper and other natural botanicals; it is neither flavored nor colored afterwards. It contains a maximum of 0.1 grams of added sweetener per liter and has at least 37.5% ABV. It has nothing to do with the city of London – the term describes a process, and our London Dry Gins come from Cologne, Karlsruhe, and Berlin.

What a London Gin must fulfill

The EU Spirit Drinks Regulation 2019/787 lists it as London Gin; the addition of "Dry" is permitted. An overview of the requirements: The base alcohol comes from agricultural raw materials and has a very low methanol content. All botanicals are natural and go into the still together with the alcohol. The distillate must reach at least 70% ABV. Afterwards, only water, alcohol of the same quality, and a tiny amount of sweetener may be added, but no added flavoring or color.

How the botanicals get into the gin

Juniper berries, coriander seeds, citrus peels, roots, and flowers are either steeped directly in the alcohol or suspended in the steam above the still. When heated, their aromatic substances are released and travel with the alcohol vapor into the distillate. Because nothing can be corrected later, the recipe must be perfect from the first run. A London Dry Gin is therefore always clear and tastes dry, even if it turns out to be very citrus-forward or floral.

Our London Dry Gins

Our bestseller is the Gin de Cologne Mini from Cologne-Ehrenfeld, developed as a Cologne souvenir and perfect for trying out. In the large bottle, it is simply called Gin de Cologne: over 12 botanicals including peels of lemon, orange, and lime, lavender and hibiscus blossoms, and juniper, 42% ABV, limey, zesty, and mild. You can find other varieties and gift boxes at Gin de Cologne.

Heiko Hoos distills slowly in Karlsruhe in batches of 120 bottles. His London Gin from Hoos London Gin features 15 botanicals such as juniper, pine shoots, lavender, chamomile, and citrus peels, has 44.4% ABV, and has a strong scent of the forest. It is also available as a London Gin in a 200 ml bottle.

The Deutsche Spirituosen Manufaktur in Berlin relies on a good three dozen botanicals for its London Dry Gin 47%, formulated by pharmacist Dr. Konrad Horn: juniper, coriander, lemon, lime, grapefruit, cardamom, several types of pepper, lavender, and thyme in the finish, 47% ABV in the apothecary bottle.

London Dry Gin in the glass

The classic is the Gin and Tonic: one part gin to four parts tonic, plus three ice cubes and a slice of lime for the Gin de Cologne, a lemon zest or grapefruit wedge for the London Dry Gin 47. The woody Hoos London Gin pairs well with a dry tonic. Because London Dry Gin is unsweetened and clear, it also forms the backbone of many cocktails: in a Dry Martini with dry vermouth, in a Negroni with equal parts red vermouth and bitter, in a Gin Fizz with lemon and soda. You can also try the London Dry Gin 47 from the Deutsche Spirituosen Manufaktur neat at room temperature to identify the individual botanicals.

Buying London Dry Gin: a brief guide

• For trying out: Gin de Cologne is available in 100 ml, Hoos London Gin in 200 ml.
• Alcohol content: 42% ABV for Gin de Cologne, 44.4% ABV for Hoos, 47% ABV for Deutsche Spirituosen Manufaktur.
• Reading the label: "London Dry Gin" or "London Gin" guarantees the strict process; "Dry Gin" alone stands for a dry Distilled Gin.
• Storage: Upright, dark, and at room temperature. Once opened, gin keeps for a very long time.
• Youth protection: Sale only to persons 18 years and older.

More gin at Leni & Hans

London Dry Gin is part of our Gin category, where you will also find the gift boxes from Gin de Cologne. You can find classically dry gins from the Eifel and Berlin, as well as gins with coffee, pepper, basil, berries, or Christmas spices under Dry Gin, and the Pink Grapefruit Gin Liqueur from Hoos under Liqueurs. For Martinis and Negronis, you need vermouth, which can be found under Vermouth.

Order London Dry Gin online

Whether it's a mini from Cologne to try, a woody London Gin from Karlsruhe, or the apothecary bottle from Berlin: order London Dry Gin online at Leni & Hans, and your package will be with you in 1–3 days.