Dry gin does indeed contain alcohol. In fact, the alcohol content in dry gin is typically quite high, ranging from 40 to 47 percent (80 to 94 U.S. proof). As a sommelier and brewer, I have had the opportunity to work with and taste various types of gin, including dry gin, and can attest to its alcoholic nature.
To understand why dry gin contains alcohol, it's important to delve into the production process. Dry gin is made by distilling a neutral spirit, which is essentially a high-proof alcohol. This neutral spirit is typically made from grains such as barley, corn, rye, or wheat. During distillation, the alcohol is separated from the other components of the spirit, resulting in a highly concentrated alcoholic liquid.
After the distillation process, the neutral spirit is then infused with various botanicals to give gin its distinct flavor. These botanicals can include juniper berries, coriander seeds, citrus peel, angelica root, orris root, and many others. The combination of these botanicals imparts the characteristic flavors and aromas that are associated with gin.
To achieve the desired flavor profile, the infused spirit is often diluted with distilled water. This helps to balance the intensity of the alcohol and botanicals, creating a smoother and more enjoyable drinking experience. The dilution process also allows for further adjustments to the alcohol content, ensuring that it falls within the desired range.
In some cases, the dilution process may be followed by a second round of distillation and reduction, which helps to further refine the flavors and aromas of the gin. This additional step is more common in dry gins, as they typically have a higher concentration of added flavoring ingredients compared to Dutch types of gin.
It's worth noting that the term “dry” in dry gin refers to the absence of added sweeteners or sugar, rather than the absence of alcohol. Dry gin is known for its crisp and clean flavor profile, which is achieved through the careful selection and balancing of botanicals, as well as the distillation and reduction processes.
Dry gin does contain alcohol, with an average alcoholic content ranging from 40 to 47 percent. The production process involves distilling a neutral spirit and infusing it with various botanicals to create the distinct flavor profile associated with gin. Dilution with distilled water and additional distillation and reduction steps may be employed to achieve the desired alcohol content and flavor characteristics.