A warm day with a G&T in hand is one of life’s great simple pleasures and it seems more people are figuring that out. In 2016 the sales growth of the juniper berry based tipple outpaced both beer and sparkling wine. The enthusiasm for gin has become so powerful that some very inventive recipes have originated; one being a questionable gin breakfast yoghurt. So, what exactly has caused this renaissance of gin?

gin cocktailsCreative New Gin Recipes

One of the reasons for this surge in popularity is the explosion of variety in the amount of different gins. The huge spectrum of flavours and brands has allowed people who may not have tried gin – or didn’t like it beforehand – to give something different a try. This then opens their horizons to try even more varieties, subsequently contributing to the growth of the industry.

Interestingly, the increase in variety has also been as a result of the increase in sales. As more people get into gin the demand for something new is enhanced and another distillery opens. Even somewhat novelty brands have been able to make a mark; Unicorn Tears gin being one interestingly named product. In addition to the drinks themselves, food has started incorporating the increasingly popular beverage, such as the previously mentioned gin yoghurt.

A Global Thirst for Gin

A reason perhaps even more significant than creative recipes is that the thirst for gin has become truly global. With the UK having so many distilleries opening during this boom, the country has been able to capitalise on the rest of the world’s fascination. This isn’t surprising in western Europe as the drink originated in the Netherlands in the 17th century – where it was believed to alleviate gout – and it’s been a staple for hundreds of years since.gin

However, across the Atlantic Ocean the USA have embraced the craze as well. Particularly as they can make it much faster than whisky, so as whisky matures they cans sell their gins. Additionally, Spain have made the G&T one of – if not the most – popular spirit mixer in the country. Although perhaps most amazingly is that the Philippines has become the biggest gin drinking country in world. Add in the fact that classical cocktails like the martini have become popular across the world all over again, there is something of a perfect storm for the industry.

Is the Bubble Set to Burst?

With such monumentally rapid growth there’s always the chance that the bubble will burst spectacularly. It seems inevitable that with so many distilleries being setup that some of them will shut back down or be bought up by competitors. No one can say for sure how this will end up, but it seems for now the desire to try something new is keeping the countries – and the worlds – demand for gin more than supplied.