My interest in gin is mainly rooted in the fact that it’s my dad’s all time favorite drink. When in doubt he orders a classic gin and tonic, so it’s pretty much a staple at our house whenever we have people over. This book is like the ultimate gin guide, and I learned so much!

I really appreciated the thorough introduction and historical background of gin. For many of us, it's probably the first time we get to learn about the rules and processes behind making gin. I didn’t realize how regulated and intricate the whole process is! The book goes into great detail about the distillation process, showing you how gin is made step-by-step with accompanying photos that break everything down. It’s fascinating to see the craftsmanship that goes into producing a great gin.

One thing that really surprised me was learning about the different categories of gin. I had no idea there were so many varieties! It’s not just one basic thing—it’s a whole world of gins, each with its own character and style. As someone with little to no knowledge beyond enjoying a gin and tonic, I found this book super informative and approachable.

I was particularly drawn to the distillery profiles, especially those from the chapter on Europe other than the Netherlands. Being Spanish, our drinking culture has such a rich history, and it's always interesting to learn more about the drinks that come from our neighboring countries and trading partners. The profiles gave a unique look into the different distilleries and what makes their gin special.

And as for the drinks? I’m definitely trying the Peach Million Dollar—I love peach and anything with a slightly sweeter vibe.

If you’re a gin lover, or just someone curious about the drink, this book is a must-read. It’s packed with information, but also fun and engaging to read. Plus, it’s very informative for anyone who wants to dive deeper into the world of gin. Definitely recommending this one to friends who love a good gin and tonic or who are just getting into the spirit!

This book is what I would call the Gin Bible. It's a super informative book about just about every Gin out there and their recommended use and such a great read for anyone that loves Gin and wants to learn more about it!


Thank you to NetGalley, Cider Mill Press and Emanuele Mensah for giving me an ARC of this wonderful book!

An extremely informative book for any gin lover! The book covers a very brief history of gin, the classifications and basic flavour profiles before entering it's true information, bios and suggestions on gin distillery's worldwide. This would be great if people love visiting distilleries on their travels!

What I didn't know about gin could fill a book! And it was this one apparently! Fantastic information and great history, I can't wait to try some of these out.

Come for the nice collection of cocktail recipes, stay for the (possibly too-short) history of Gin as a product.

First of all I have to say that I am going out to buy a paper version of this very interesting book as soon as I can. The start is the historical aspects of how gin has gained and lost in the popularity stakes. This is followed by the types of gin, including all the many botanicals that are used and then the distilleries all around the world.. It is a fascinating read throughout. At the end of each of the larger distilleries there is some cocktail recipes and at the very end are a long section of cocktail recipes that sound so good. The reason that I want a paper version as opposed to a Kindle version is that I can literally drawl over the recipes and keep trying them all , making notes on each one as I go..
Thank you so much for letting me read this book.

You don’t need to be a gin drinker to enjoy this book. I’m not fond of gin, but I enjoy the social history associated with the drink. It’s interesting to know the story behind ‘mother’s ruin’ and understand the bumpy ride in popularity gin has had through the ages. Big Gin is filled with lavish and colourful photos and on an iPad, it’s impressive.

There’s a potted history of the drink, alongside a couple of famous Hogarth prints of Gin Lane. I was fascinated by the production process which explains how a neutral spirit is infused with botanicals to give the distinct flavour. Legal differences in the definition of gin in other countries is explained. I enjoyed the section which outlines sloe gin, Pink gin, London Dry, Navy Strength and much more. The complexities are mind boggling. There’s an extensive section on British producers; many familiar names but I’ve also learned a great deal about other names I wasn’t familiar with. This section is interspersed with interesting cocktail recipes. Tasting notes for each of the brands are really useful. For a novice like me, it’s an excellent starting point to help understand this spirit. Really loved this section and the photos of the bottles are particularly tempting. There’s a similar section for non UK brands, making this exploration truly international. A sublime collection of recipes at the end….who could resist Zombie vibes, pumpkin Jack or Moon Blush for example. It’s a fabulous book. I absolutely love it and know for sure that in the coming months, I’ll be experimenting with a host of new tastes and will have the confidence to better understand this complex delight.

The contents and the information are extremely rich.
This is an excellent guide with the history of gin and recipes.
I felt that it is one of those books which look better in print. The design was not entirely to my taste but it is nevertheless a wonderful book about gin.

*Big Gin* is the ultimate gin lover's guide, taking you on a journey through the history, botanicals, and culture behind this iconic spirit. As a couple who loves experimenting with cocktails on date nights, my husband and I have had a blast trying out some of the recipes featured in the book. We even made a gin and tonic so refreshing that it became our summer go-to drink!

The book dives into everything from the origins of gin during London’s Gin Craze to the new wave of distillers pushing the boundaries of gin today. For us, it was a fun way to learn about the different types of gin while sipping on our own creations. The chapter on botanicals was especially eye-opening—who knew that gin's flavor profile is so complex?

With detailed profiles of gin brands like Hendrick’s and Tanqueray and recipes for classics like the Martini and Negroni, we found ourselves eager to expand our gin collection and try new things. Whether you're a gin aficionado or just looking to level up your cocktail game, *Big Gin* is a must-read for anyone who appreciates this bold spirit.