H A Short History of Gin in China

 

The Most Famous Gin and Tonic Brands from China

China has a rich tradition of alcohol, from baijiu and huangjiu to rice wines, but gin is a much newer arrival. Over the last decade, with the global boom in craft spirits and China’s rapidly evolving bar culture, the country has begun producing artisanal gins that fuse traditional juniper with Chinese botanicals such as goji berries, lotus, Sichuan pepper, osmanthus, green tea, and chrysanthemum.

Gin & tonic, once a Western import, is now a popular drink in major Chinese cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, and Shenzhen, where international cocktail culture thrives.

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A Short History of Gin in China

Gin was introduced to China during the colonial period, particularly in Shanghai and Hong Kong, where British traders and expatriates brought their drinking traditions. For decades, imported gin brands dominated — Gordon’s, Beefeater, Tanqueray, and Bombay Sapphire were staples in hotels and foreign clubs.

But in the 2010s, Chinese craft distillers began experimenting with gin, inspired by the global demand for premium, locally inspired spirits. They combined Chinese herbs, teas, and spices with classic gin recipes, producing spirits that reflect both tradition and modern mixology. Today, China’s gin industry is still small but growing, with a handful of gins already gaining international recognition.

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Famous Chinese Gin Brands

1. Peddlers Gin Co. – Shanghai’s Craft Pioneer

Distillery: Peddlers Gin Company, Shanghai
Founded: 2016

Peddlers Gin is considered the first international craft gin brand from China, now exported worldwide.

• Botanicals: Sichuan pepper, Buddha’s hand (a fragrant citrus fruit), lotus flower, liquorice root, and goji berries.

• Style: Bold, spicy, citrus-forward, and distinctly Chinese.

• Reputation: Award-winning and recognized as China’s flagship gin.

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2. Porcelain Shanghai Dry Gin – Elegance in a Bottle

Distillery: Porcelain Spirits, Shanghai

Porcelain Gin is packaged in stunning ceramic bottles, reflecting Chinese artistry.

• Botanicals: Juniper, tangerine peel, osmanthus, angelica, and cassia.

• Style: Smooth, floral, and elegant.

• Reputation: Known for premium design and delicate flavor profile, popular with collectors.

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3. Dragon’s Blood Gin – The Bold Innovator

Produced by boutique distillers experimenting with exotic botanicals.

• Botanicals: Red dates (jujube), ginseng, star anise, and chrysanthemum.

• Style: Strong, herbal, with sweet spice notes.

• Reputation: Rare and small-batch, but gaining attention in China’s craft bar scene.

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4. Nine Rivers Gin – The Chinese Terroir Spirit

A craft gin highlighting regional Chinese ingredients.

• Botanicals: Sichuan peppercorn, green tea, bamboo leaves, and citrus peel.

• Style: Fresh, peppery, and aromatic.

• Reputation: Represents China’s ability to translate its biodiversity into premium spirits.

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5. Other Emerging Chinese Gins

Several micro-distilleries in Yunnan, Guangdong, and Beijing are experimenting with teas, spices, and herbs, though most remain local and limited in production.

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Imported Gin Brands in China

Imported brands continue to dominate the Chinese market, especially in upscale hotels, restaurants, and bars:

• Beefeater, Gordon’s, Tanqueray – Widely available.

• Bombay Sapphire – A staple in high-end cocktail bars.

• Spanish Gins (Gin Mare, Nordés, Puerto de Indias) – Very popular due to Spain’s strong cocktail influence in Asia.

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Tonics in China

1. Schweppes Tonic Water

The most common and widely available tonic across China.

2. Fever-Tree (Imported Premium)

Highly popular in cocktail lounges in Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong.

3. Local Soda Producers

Some Chinese soda makers are experimenting with craft tonic waters infused with green tea, chrysanthemum, or ginger, though these are niche and mainly used in boutique bars.

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China’s Gin & Tonic Culture Today

• Shanghai as Hub: Shanghai is the epicenter of China’s gin & tonic culture, with trendy cocktail bars offering G&Ts made with local gins and creative garnishes.

• Serving Style: Inspired by the Spanish gin-tonic, served in balloon glasses with elaborate garnishes.

• Garnishes: Buddha’s hand citrus slices, Sichuan peppercorns, goji berries, chrysanthemum flowers, and green tea leaves.

• Luxury & Design: Chinese gin brands often focus on packaging as much as flavor, reflecting local artistry and appealing to collectors.

• Tourism & Expat Influence: Gin & tonic is especially popular among expats, tourists, and young professionals who view it as a cosmopolitan drink.

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Conclusion

China’s gin scene may be young, but it is vibrant and fast-growing. With pioneering brands like Peddlers Gin Co., artistic spirits like Porcelain Shanghai Dry Gin, and experimental labels such as Dragon’s Blood and Nine Rivers, the country is producing gins that reflect Chinese flavors, culture, and design.

Paired with Fever-Tree or Schweppes, and garnished with Sichuan pepper, lotus, or green tea, Chinese gin & tonics offer a unique taste of the Middle Kingdom.

For gin lovers, a Chinese G&T is more than just a cocktail — it’s a meeting of East and West, tradition and innovation, all distilled into a glass.

H A Brief History of Gin in Germany

 

The Most Famous Gin and Tonic Brands from Germany

Germany has long been associated with beer, schnapps, and herbal liqueurs, but in the last two decades it has become one of Europe’s most vibrant gin producers. Thanks to a booming craft distilling movement, Germany now offers a wide variety of premium gins, often infused with local botanicals such as spruce tips, lavender, chamomile, rose petals, and exotic spices brought through centuries of trade. Alongside gin, German tonic water brands have also become internationally respected, making the country a key player in the modern gin & tonic scene.

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A Brief History of Gin in Germany

While the Dutch invented jenever and the British perfected London Dry Gin, Germans developed their own juniper-based spirit known as Wacholder. Distilled for centuries, Wacholder was consumed mainly in rural areas and can still be found today in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony.

The modern gin wave in Germany, however, truly began in the early 2000s. The rise of Monkey 47, with its Black Forest identity, changed everything and inspired dozens of distillers to create gins that combined German precision with regional botanicals.

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Famous German Gin Brands

1. Monkey 47 – The Black Forest Legend

Founded: 2010, Black Forest (Schwarzwald)

Monkey 47 is the gin that put Germany on the global gin map.

• Botanicals: 47 different ingredients, including lingonberries, spruce, hibiscus, elderflower, and Black Forest herbs.

• Flavor Profile: Complex, aromatic, and multilayered—pine, citrus, floral, and spicy notes all in balance.

• Reputation: Widely considered one of the finest gins in the world; highly collectible with seasonal editions.

• Cultural Impact: Sparked Germany’s gin boom and remains its most famous export.

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2. The Duke Munich Dry Gin – Bavarian Purity

Founded: 2008, Munich

The Duke was one of the pioneers of the German gin revival.

• Botanicals: 13 ingredients, including hops and malt (a nod to Bavaria’s beer culture).

• Style: Juniper-forward but with a malty, earthy backbone.

• Variants: The Duke Rough Gin (stronger, spicier) and Wanderlust Gin (infused with elderflower and pine tips).

• Reputation: A favorite in Munich and southern Germany, strongly tied to Bavarian identity.

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3. Siegfried Rheinland Dry Gin – The German Gentleman

Founded: 2014, Bonn

Named after the hero Siegfried from the Nibelungen saga, this gin reflects German heritage and elegance.

• Botanicals: 18 botanicals, with linden blossom as the signature ingredient.

• Flavor Profile: Floral and smooth, with balanced juniper and citrus.

• Recognition: Internationally awarded, considered one of Germany’s most stylish gins.

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4. Windspiel Premium Dry Gin – Potatoes and Elegance

Founded: 2014, Eifel region

Windspiel produces one of Germany’s most premium gins, distilled from hand-picked potatoes.

• Botanicals: Lavender, coriander, cinnamon, and ginger.

• Profile: Soft, creamy texture thanks to the potato base, with a refined herbal finish.

• Luxury Positioning: Marketed as an exclusive brand, often paired with its own Windspiel Tonic.

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5. Gretchen Gin – Berlin’s Feminine Spirit

Founded: Berlin, mid-2010s

Gretchen Gin is inspired by Berlin’s creativity and cosmopolitan identity.

• Botanicals: Citrus zest, chamomile, juniper, rose petals.

• Style: Fresh and floral, ideal for modern gin & tonic culture.

• Reputation: Popular in Berlin’s cocktail bars and among younger audiences.

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6. Münsterländer Gin – Traditional Wacholder Meets Craft

Produced in North Rhine-Westphalia, this gin honors Germany’s Wacholder tradition while adapting to modern craft distilling.

• Flavor: Straightforward, juniper-heavy, with subtle herbaceous tones.

• Cultural Role: Keeps alive Germany’s regional juniper spirit heritage.

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7. Gin Sul – A Portuguese Dream in Hamburg

Founded: 2013, Hamburg

Although inspired by Portugal, Gin Sul is proudly distilled in Hamburg.

• Botanicals: Fresh Algarve lemons, rosemary, lavender, cistus ladanifer (rockrose).

• Style: Bright, Mediterranean, and aromatic.

• Reputation: Extremely popular in both Germany and Portugal, bridging cultures.

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Famous German Tonic Water Brands

1. Thomas Henry Tonic Water – The Berlin Pioneer

Founded: 2010, Berlin

One of the first premium tonic water brands in Germany, created specifically to elevate gin & tonic culture.

• Variants: Classic Tonic, Slim Tonic, Elderflower, Cherry Blossom, and Botanical Tonic.

• Reputation: A staple in German cocktail bars, pairs perfectly with Monkey 47 and Siegfried Gin.

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2. Fever-Tree (German Market Leader)

While British in origin, Fever-Tree is extremely popular in Germany. Its Mediterranean and Indian tonics are widely used in gin festivals and cocktail bars.

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3. Windspiel Tonic Water – Premium Pairing

Created by the Windspiel brand, this tonic is designed to complement potato-based Windspiel Gin.

• Profile: Softer bitterness, refined bubbles.

• Positioning: High-end, luxury tonic.

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4. Aqua Monaco Tonic Water – Munich Creativity

Founded: 2011, Munich

A boutique tonic brand produced with mineral water from Munich.

• Variants: Organic Herbal Tonic, Dry Tonic, Extra Dry.

• Cultural Role: Popular among mixologists who want tonics with a local, natural profile.

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Germany’s Gin & Tonic Culture Today

• Innovation: Germany now has over 700 gin brands, from traditional juniper-heavy styles to experimental gins with sea buckthorn, apple blossoms, or even beer hops.

• Serving Ritual: Balloon glasses (Copa de Balón), imported from Spanish gin culture, are widely used in Germany’s gin bars.

• Festivals: Gin festivals in Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich draw thousands of enthusiasts, with Monkey 47 often as the headline act.

• Regional Identity: The Black Forest, Rhineland, and Bavaria all emphasize local botanicals, making German gins highly diverse.

• Export Strength: Brands like Monkey 47, Siegfried, and Windspiel are now recognized globally.

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Conclusion

Germany has rapidly become one of the most important players in the global gin & tonic movement. From the complexity of Monkey 47, the Bavarian tradition of The Duke, the elegance of Siegfried, and the luxury of Windspiel, to creative tonics like Thomas Henry and Aqua Monaco, German gin culture is defined by innovation, precision, and regional pride.

What makes German gin & tonics unique is their blend of heritage (Wacholder) with modern experimentation. For gin lovers, exploring German gins is like walking through forests, meadows, and cities in a single sip—fresh, complex, and distinctly German.

H A Short History of Gin in Pakistan

 

The Most Famous Gin and Tonic Brands from Pakistan

Pakistan is traditionally associated with whisky, vodka, and local spirits such as Murree Brewery’s products, but in recent years, gin has emerged as a fashionable spirit among urban elites and expats. Unlike countries with long gin-making traditions, Pakistan’s gin market is relatively small, but it is developing quickly in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, where luxury hotels, private clubs, and underground cocktail bars serve gin & tonics as a cosmopolitan choice.

Pakistan’s gins are either imported through legal and private channels or produced in limited batches by local distillers. Despite restrictions on alcohol sales, the demand for gin continues to grow, especially among younger professionals and the expat community.

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A Short History of Gin in Pakistan

Gin arrived in the region during the British colonial era, when it was consumed in clubs and military cantonments, usually paired with tonic water as a colonial staple. After independence in 1947, alcohol remained available, though restrictions increased after the 1977 prohibition laws.

Since then, alcohol consumption has been regulated, but gin has survived through imports, duty-free shops, private networks, and limited local production. Today, gin & tonic is considered an aspirational drink, often associated with sophistication and modernity.

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Famous Pakistani Gin Brands

1. Juniper Dry Gin (Murree Brewery) – The Local Classic

Distillery: Murree Brewery, Rawalpindi
Founded: 1860 (colonial-era brewery, still operational)

Murree Brewery is Pakistan’s oldest and most famous alcohol producer, and its Juniper Dry Gin is one of the only domestic gins widely known in the country.

• Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, and citrus.

• Style: A classic London Dry style with a straightforward profile.

• Reputation: Considered a reliable local gin, widely consumed in Pakistan’s legal alcohol market.

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2. Murree’s Other Variants

Murree Brewery has experimented with different recipes over the years, but Juniper Dry Gin remains its flagship gin.

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Imported Gin Brands in Pakistan

Due to Pakistan’s restrictions, imported gins are available mainly through duty-free shops, private clubs, and exclusive bars. Among the most popular are:

• Beefeater, Gordon’s, Tanqueray – Common in private circles.

• Bombay Sapphire – Favored in upscale social clubs and among expats.

• Hendrick’s – A luxury gin enjoyed in high-end cocktail settings, often paired with cucumber.

• Spanish Gins (Gin Mare, Nordés, Puerto de Indias) – Occasionally available via private imports, catering to international tastes.

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Tonics in Pakistan

1. Schweppes Tonic Water

The most widely available tonic in Pakistan, sold in supermarkets and hotels.

2. Fever-Tree (Imported Premium)

Occasionally found in luxury hotels, private clubs, and expat circles.

3. Local Alternatives

Some bartenders and home mixologists use soda water, lemon soda, or herbal infusions to substitute tonic when premium mixers are unavailable.

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Pakistan’s Gin & Tonic Culture Today

• Karachi & Lahore: Gin & tonic is a symbol of modern cocktail culture in luxury hotels and exclusive social clubs.

• Islamabad: Diplomatic circles and private gatherings feature gin prominently.

• Serving Style: Usually served in highball or balloon glasses, with premium tonics when available.

• Garnishes: Lime wedges, cucumber slices, mint sprigs, and sometimes local fruits like kinnow (a citrus hybrid).

• Cultural Identity: In Pakistan, gin & tonic represents a blend of colonial heritage, modern sophistication, and exclusivity.

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Conclusion

Pakistan may not have a booming gin industry, but it has one enduring domestic label — Murree Juniper Dry Gin — and a steady flow of imported premium gins that cater to the country’s growing cocktail culture. Gin & tonic has become a drink of choice for the urban elite, expats, and those seeking a refined drinking experience.

Paired with Schweppes or Fever-Tree, and garnished with citrus, cucumber, or mint, a Pakistani gin & tonic offers a refreshing balance of tradition and modernity.

For gin enthusiasts, tasting a G&T in Pakistan is not just about the drink — it’s about experiencing a legacy that began in the colonial era and continues today in private clubs, rooftop lounges, and cosmopolitan gatherings.