Heidelberg Gin
Discover your favourite regional gin!
Recommendations for gins in Heidelberg
Eau de Wald Heidelberg Gin
Behind Eau de Wald is Kathrin Christians, a celebrated musician from Heidelberg, who completely changed her life due to a stroke of fate and the Corona Lockdown. She founded her own brand, Eau de Wald – forest and nature to go. With her enthusiasm for gin and her close connection to the Odenwald, she began searching for the perfect ingredients and experimenting daily in her kitchen. Kathrin attaches great importance to sustainability and donates 1 euro to local reforestation for every 500 ml bottle of Eau de Wald gin sold. She is all about giving something back to nature, as the main ingredients come directly from the Odenwald.
315 Upstairs Heidelberg Dry Gin
Hortus Palatinus Heidelberg Gin
The production of gin
Types of gins
London Dry Gin
London Dry Gin is probably the best-known and most widespread type of gin. It is characterised by a clear, dry and juniper-accentuated note. Traditionally, it is distilled from natural botanicals and contains no additional sugar or colouring agents. London Dry Gin is suitable both for pure enjoyment and as a base for classic cocktails such as the Gin & Tonic.
Sloe Gin
Sloe gin is a slightly sweeter and fruitier gin made from sloe berries. The sloe berries are soaked in gin and macerated over a period of time to release their aromas. The result is an intensely fruity gin with a slightly tart note. Sloe gin is often enjoyed neat or as an ingredient in various cocktails.
Old Tom Gin
Old Tom Gin is a historic gin variant that was popular in the 1800s and has experienced a renaissance in recent years. It is slightly sweeter and milder in flavour compared to London Dry Gin. Originally, Old Tom Gin was made as a response to inferior gin and added sugar or other sweeteners to improve the taste. Today, Old Tom Gin is produced by hand by many craft distilleries and is particularly popular with lovers of classic cocktails such as Tom Collins.
The Rise of Gin in Heidelberg
The gin culture in Heidelberg
History of gin
The origins of gin can be traced back to the 11th century, when the Arabs brought the techniques of distillation to Europe. At that time, distilled alcohol was mainly used for medicinal purposes to treat various diseases. Monks in monasteries played an important role in the further development of distillation techniques and the production of distillates.
Over time, the distilled alcohol was flavoured with a variety of herbs and spices to improve the taste and enhance the medicinal effect. One of the earliest known recipes for a gin-like potion dates back to the 12th century and was developed by a monk named Bernardo Vincelli in Italy. These early gins were called “genever” and had a similar base to today’s gin.
In the 16th century, gin began to spread to the Netherlands, where it became popular under the name “Genever”. At that time, the Netherlands was a major trading partner for spices and botanical ingredients. Trade in spices such as juniper berries, coriander and angelica root led to the development of new flavours and recipes for genever.
In the 17th century, jenever began to make its way to England when Dutch soldiers were stationed in Britain during the Thirty Years’ War. At that time, jenever was already known as a popular spirit and was brought back by the soldiers. In England, the name “genever” was simplified to “gin” and gin quickly began to gain popularity.
The popularity of gin in England reached its peak in the 18th century. At this time, gin was accessible to the general population due to its simple and inexpensive production. Gin became a popular drug and led to a period known as the “Gin Craze”. Excessive consumption of low-quality gin led to social problems and heavy regulation of gin production.
In the 19th century, the production of gin in England was regulated by law and higher quality gins came onto the market. Distilleries also began to develop new recipes and flavours at this time. The diversity of gin increased and different regional styles and traditions emerged. In the UK, London Dry Gin developed into one of the best known and most appreciated gin styles in the world.
Throughout the 20th century, gin experienced ups and downs. In the 1920s, gin was popular in the US during Prohibition because it was easy to make at home. In the following decades, however, gin took a bit of a back seat as other spirits such as whisky and vodka gained popularity.
In recent decades, however, gin has made an impressive comeback. With the rise of the craft spirits movement and the growing interest in artisan products, gin has also come back to the fore. More and more distilleries around the world are dedicated to producing high-quality gins with a variety of botanical ingredients and interesting flavours.
Today, there is an almost endless variety of gins from different countries and regions. From traditional London Dry Gins to exotic gins with native botanicals to experimental gins with unusual flavours – the choice is huge. Gin has developed into an extremely versatile spirit that is perfect for cocktails and mixed drinks.
The history of gin is one of innovation, commerce and cultural influence. From its humble beginnings as a medicinal remedy to its worldwide popularity, gin has become a spirit appreciated by many. With its rich history and endless possibilities for creativity and flavour, gin offers a fascinating journey for all spirit lovers.