Gin is primarily used as a common base spirit for many mixed drinks, including the martini.
Based on available information, gin serves a few key purposes:
- As a Base for Cocktails: Its most widespread use is as the foundational spirit in numerous mixed alcoholic beverages. Its botanical profile makes it a versatile component for various cocktails.
- A notable example cited is the martini, one of the many classic drinks that use gin as their primary ingredient.
- Historical Production During Prohibition: In Prohibition-era America, due to its relatively simple production process compared to other spirits, gin was secretly produced.
- This illicitly made spirit, often referred to as "bathtub gin," was available in underground establishments like speakeasies and "blind pigs" for consumption.
In summary, gin's main modern use is in crafting cocktails, while historically it played a role in illicit alcohol production due to ease of manufacture.
