Homemade gin, like its commercially produced counterparts, must meet specific strength requirements to legally be called "gin." Based on the provided reference, the minimum strength requirement for gin is at least 37.5% ABV.
Understanding Gin Strength: What is ABV?
ABV stands for Alcohol by Volume. It's a standard measure used worldwide to indicate how much alcohol is contained in a given volume of an alcoholic drink. A spirit with 37.5% ABV means that 37.5% of its total volume is pure alcohol.
The Minimum Requirement for Gin
According to the reference, for a spirit to be classified as gin, it must meet certain criteria. One key stipulation is its strength:
- Gin must be a neutral spirit flavored with botanicals.
- Juniper must be the dominant botanical.
- It must be at least 37.5% ABV.
This means that any spirit, whether made at home or in a large distillery, needs to reach this minimum alcohol content to qualify as gin.
Factors Affecting Homemade Gin Strength
While the minimum is 37.5% ABV, the actual strength of homemade gin can vary depending on the starting base spirit and the method used.
- Base Spirit: Homemade gin is typically made by infusing botanicals into a neutral spirit, often a high-proof vodka or pure grain spirit. The strength of this base spirit will directly impact the final strength.
- Infusion/Distillation: The process of adding botanicals, whether through simple infusion or re-distillation, generally doesn't significantly alter the original alcohol content of the base spirit, though minor changes can occur.
Therefore, while 37.5% ABV is the minimum, homemade gin can often be stronger, depending on the proof of the base spirit used.
Typical Strength Range
| Type of Gin | Typical ABV Range |
|---|---|
| Standard Gin | 37.5% - 45% |
| Navy Strength Gin | 57% and above |
| Homemade Gin | 37.5% + |
Note: The final strength of homemade gin is primarily dictated by the strength of the base spirit used for infusion or re-distillation.
In summary, to be legally classified as gin, a homemade spirit must have a strength of at least 37.5% ABV. Its actual strength will depend on the starting ingredients and process but must meet or exceed this minimum threshold.
