Making your own Old Tom gin at home is a great way to customize your own drinks. It is also an interesting and creative way to experiment with different flavors and aromas. This guide will provide the steps you need to make your own Old Tom gin.
First, you’ll need a few basic ingredients: juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, orange peel, lemon peel, orris root, and some type of sweetener like honey or sugar. You’ll also need some type of alcohol base such as vodka or neutral grain spirit.
Once you have all of your ingredients gathered together, it’s time to begin the distilling process. Start by combining all of the botanicals in a large pot and adding enough water to cover them. Heat the mixture over low heat for about an hour or until the botanicals are softened. Then strain out the solids and discard them.Old Tom Gin is a type of gin that has been around since the 18th century. It is characterized by its sweeter taste compared to London dry gin, which is the most common type of gin today. Old Tom Gin is made with malt wine, which is then mixed with juniper berries, coriander, and other botanical ingredients like orris root and angelica. The malt wine gives Old Tom Gin its signature sweetness.
Old Tom Gin is sometimes referred to as ‘Mother’s Ruin’ because of its popularity amongst women in England during the 18th century. Many pubs in England had a ‘Tom Cat’ sign outside of them to advertise the spirit. This sign was often seen as an indication that gin was being sold inside.
Old Tom Gin has been making a comeback in recent years, with many craft distilleries producing their own versions of the spirit. This resurgence has seen many classic cocktails like the Martinez and Gimlet being given an Old Tom Gin twist.
Contents
What Ingredients Are Needed to Make Old Tom Gin?
Old Tom Gin is a traditional style of gin that makes use of a sweetening agent to balance out the juniper and other botanical flavors. The base ingredient for Old Tom Gin is grain alcohol, traditionally a barley-based spirit. To this base, juniper berries, citrus peel, coriander, angelica root and other botanicals are added. Sweetening agents such as licorice root, sugar or honey can be added to taste. Once the ingredients have been combined and distilled, the gin is ready to be enjoyed.
In addition to the base ingredients of grain alcohol and juniper berries, Old Tom Gin also typically includes a variety of other botanicals including citrus peel, coriander seed, angelica root and licorice root. These ingredients provide complex flavor profiles that complement the juniper berries and grain alcohol base. The sweetness of the licorice root helps to offset any bitterness from the juniper berries or citrus peel. The addition of sugar or honey can also help to further balance out any harsh notes from the other botanicals. Finally, after distilling the gin it is ready for bottling and consumption.
What Equipment Is Needed to Make Old Tom Gin?
Creating Old Tom gin at home requires some basic distilling equipment. First, you will need a pot still, which is a type of still that uses steam to distill alcohol. You will also need a heat source, such as a propane burner or electric hot plate, to heat the still. Additionally, you will need measuring cups and spoons for measuring out ingredients, as well as a thermometer to ensure the correct temperature is reached during the distillation process. Finally, you will need bottles or jars for aging and storing your gin.
In addition to the equipment needed for distillation, you will also need ingredients to make your own Old Tom Gin. This includes juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, and citrus peel. You may also choose to add other botanicals such as cardamom or licorice root for additional flavor. Finally, you will need either grain alcohol or vodka as your base spirit.
Making your own Old Tom Gin can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience! With the right equipment and ingredients, it is easy to create your own unique version of this classic spirit in the comfort of your own home.
Ingredients
Old Tom gin is a classic gin style that is made using a few key ingredients: juniper berries, coriander, angelica root, orris root, and citrus peel. Some recipes may also include additional botanicals such as cardamom, cassia bark, and licorice root.
Preparation
The preparation of Old Tom gin begins with the infusion of the botanicals in the base spirit. Start by combining the juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, orris root, and citrus peels in a mason jar or other container. Fill the container with enough base spirit to fully cover the ingredients. Seal the container tightly and allow it to steep for at least 24 hours. After this time has passed, strain out the solids and discard them.
Once the infusion has been completed, it’s time to add sugar to sweeten the resulting liquid. Start by simmering a mixture of sugar and water over low heat until all of the sugar has dissolved into the liquid (the ratio should be 1 part sugar to 2 parts water). Allow this syrup to cool completely before adding it to the infused spirit. Stir the syrup into the infused spirit until it is fully incorporated.
Once all of these steps have been completed, you are ready to bottle your Old Tom gin! Transfer it into bottles or jars for storage or gifting purposes. You can also use your freshly made Old Tom gin in traditional cocktail recipes such as a Martinez or Gin & Tonic!
How Long Does It Take to Make Old Tom Gin?
Old Tom gin is a type of gin that has been around since the 18th century. The process of making Old Tom gin is a bit different than other types of gin, and it takes time to properly craft it. Generally, it takes roughly 6 weeks for the process of making Old Tom gin.
The first step in making Old Tom gin is maceration. This process involves steeping botanicals such as juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, and citrus peel in a base spirit. This maceration can take up to 4 weeks, depending on the desired flavor profile.
Once the maceration phase is complete, the spirit must be distilled in order to concentrate the botanical flavors and aromas. Distillation generally takes about 2 weeks before the distiller may begin blending and bottling the product.
Finally, to give Old Tom its signature sweetness, distillers may add a small amount of sugar syrup or other sweetener before bottling. This sweetening step only takes a few days at most before the finished product is ready for sale.
In total, it typically takes about 6 weeks for distillers to create a batch of Old Tom gin from start to finish. The process may vary slightly between different distillers, but overall it remains relatively consistent in terms of time frame.
Steps Involved in Making Old Tom Gin
Making Old Tom Gin involves several steps, beginning with selecting the right ingredients. A typical Old Tom Gin recipe calls for juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, and other botanicals like orris root and licorice root. To begin the process of making Old Tom Gin, the botanicals are crushed and then added to a pot of neutral grain spirit. The mixture is heated until it reaches a simmer, then allowed to steep for several hours. After steeping, the mixture is strained and cooled.
The next step in making Old Tom Gin is to mix the gin with sugar syrup, which gives the spirit its characteristic sweetness. The ratio of gin to sugar syrup varies depending on the desired flavor profile; some recipes call for equal parts gin and sugar syrup while others call for more sugar syrup than gin. Once mixed together, the mixture is filtered to remove any impurities before being bottled or casked for aging.
Finally, after aging in oak barrels or stainless-steel tanks for several months or years (depending on the desired flavor profile), Old Tom Gin is ready to be enjoyed! Many distillers also choose to add additional flavorings like citrus peel or spices at this stage to give their product a unique taste profile. With its sweet flavor and distinctive aroma, when made correctly Old Tom Gin can be a delicious addition to any cocktail!
Distillation Processes Involved in Making Old Tom Gin
The distillation process for producing Old Tom Gin is relatively straightforward. The process typically involves the use of juniper-infused base alcohol and a combination of botanicals, including citrus peel, coriander, angelica root, and orris root. The mixture is heated in a pot still to vaporize the alcohol, which is then condensed back into liquid form. This liquid will then be redistilled before being filtered through charcoal to remove any impurities or unwanted flavors. Finally, it is blended with additional botanicals and sweeteners and bottled for sale.
The distillation process for Old Tom Gin is similar to that used for other gins, but there are some variations depending on the style of gin being made. For example, London Dry Gin is generally distilled twice before it is bottled whereas Old Tom gin may be distilled three times before it reaches the bottling stage. Additionally, Old Tom gin may also contain additional botanicals such as cardamom or nutmeg while London Dry Gins typically do not include these ingredients.
It’s important to note that the distillation processes involved in making any style of gin can vary depending on the distiller and their individual methodologies. For instance, some distillers may opt to use a continuous still system as opposed to a pot still when creating their spirit. However, regardless of the method chosen, distilling gin begins with creating a base spirit from juniper-infused grain alcohol and continues with blending additional botanicals into the mix before redistilling it for filtration and bottling.
How to Bottle and Store Home-Made Old Tom Gin?
Bottling home-made Old Tom gin is a relatively simple process, but it is important to do it correctly in order to ensure that the quality of the gin remains high. The first step is to properly sanitize all bottles and lids that will be used for bottling. Use a mild detergent and hot water to clean the bottles, then rinse them with a solution of one part chlorine bleach to nine parts warm water. Allow the bottles and lids to air dry before proceeding with bottling.
Once all of the equipment has been properly sanitized, it is time to fill each bottle with gin. Use a funnel or ladle to carefully fill each bottle up until just below the neck. Place a lid on each bottle and screw it on tightly by hand. Be sure not to over-tighten the lids, as this can lead to leakage or breakage of the bottles. Finally, label each bottle with its contents and date so that you can easily keep track of when your gin was bottled.
It is important to store your home-made Old Tom gin in a cool, dark place in order to preserve its quality for as long as possible. A temperature range between 50°F (10°C) and 65°F (18°C) is ideal for storage; any temperature higher than this can cause oxidation and off flavors in the gin. Additionally, be sure not to expose your gin bottles directly to light as this can also lead to oxidation and spoilage of your gin.
By following these steps for bottling and storing home-made Old Tom gin, you will be able maximize its shelf life while preserving its quality and flavor. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Making your own Old Tom Gin at home is a great way to customize and experiment with your own flavor. This guide has provided you with all the information you need to get started on your own homemade gin production. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the process is simple, straightforward, and fun. So why not give it a try?
Remember to use high-quality ingredients, follow the steps carefully, and always be mindful of safety precautions. With patience and dedication, you can enjoy delicious gin made in the comfort of your own home!
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