History, botanicals, company background, and famous serves
A quick introduction
Among the world’s benchmark London Dry gins, Tanqueray stands out for its crystalline juniper core, precise dryness, and versatility in cocktails. First distilled in the 1830s, it remains a go-to for bartenders when they want a G&T or martini with classic definition.
History: from Bloomsbury beginnings to global icon
1830 — Charles Tanqueray’s vision
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Founder: Charles Tanqueray established his distillery in Bloomsbury, London, around 1830, setting out to craft a cleaner, drier, and more consistent gin than was common at the time.
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His recipe embraced a small, disciplined set of botanicals and meticulous distillation—principles that still shape the brand.
Late 19th century — consolidation and scale
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Tanqueray grew as the “dry” style overtook sweeter, heavier gins.
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In 1898, Tanqueray merged with Gordon’s, eventually operating as Tanqueray Gordon & Co., combining two of Britain’s leading gin houses.
20th century — resilience and modernization
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The original London site suffered severe damage during World War II bombing; production consolidated and modernized thereafter, with core distillation moving to Scotland.
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The brand expanded globally, particularly in the U.S., where a higher bottling strength helped cement its reputation in cocktails.
Today — the Diageo era
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Tanqueray is part of Diageo’s portfolio. Alongside the flagship Tanqueray London Dry, modern expressions include Tanqueray No. Ten (fresh-citrus gin launched in 2000), Sevilla Orange, Rangpur Lime, and limited/special releases that extend the house profile without abandoning its juniper-first DNA.
What makes it “London Dry”?
“London Dry” is a production standard, not a geography rule:
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Botanicals are distilled with a neutral base (not added as post-distillation flavorings).
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The spirit is bottled dry (little/no sugar).
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The taste is juniper-led, clean, and precise—ideal for classic cocktails.
Tanqueray’s flagship expression is often cited as a textbook example of this style.
Botanicals & flavor profile
Tanqueray famously keeps its botanical list tight—often described as just four core botanicals:
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Juniper berries — crisp, piney backbone with citrus lift
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Coriander seed — lemon-pepper brightness and a little warmth
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Angelica root — earthy dryness and structure, tying flavors together
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Licorice (liquorice) root — subtle sweetness and roundness on the palate
Flavor translation: immediate juniper clarity, quick citrus-spice from coriander, a dry mid-palate from angelica, and a clean, snappy finish that cuts through mixers.
ABV note: Bottling strength varies by market. You’ll commonly see 43.1% ABV in parts of Europe and 47.3% ABV in the U.S. (and on some “export strength” labels). Higher ABV typically means firmer texture and more aromatic impact in cocktails.
How Tanqueray is made (high level)
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Neutral grain spirit provides a clean base.
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Botanicals are steeped and/or placed so their volatiles vaporize during distillation.
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Redistillation captures the heart cut rich in botanical oils.
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The spirit is proofed with water to bottling strength and rested prior to release.
The result is a gin with a strong juniper signal and crisp dryness that holds its line in long drinks and stirred classics.
The house range (highlights)
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Tanqueray London Dry — the juniper-forward flagship; crisp and versatile.
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Tanqueray No. Ten — fresh whole citrus (grapefruit, lime, orange) and chamomile layered over a classic core; designed for martinis and citrus-led cocktails.
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Sevilla Orange — bittersweet orange character; friendly in spritzes and lighter G&Ts.
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Rangpur Lime — lime/tart citrus notes; bright, accessible highballs.
Company background & ownership
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Origins: Charles Tanqueray, London, c. 1830.
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Merger: Joined with Gordon’s in 1898 (Tanqueray Gordon & Co.).
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Today: Owned by Diageo, with production centered in Scotland for the core range.
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Reputation: A bartender’s standard for London Dry precision; a staple in classic cocktail builds.
Tasting Tanqueray: what to look for
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Neat (chilled): laser-clear juniper, lemon pith, light spice; brisk, dry finish.
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With a splash of water: coriander’s lemon-pepper pops; texture softens.
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In long drinks: juniper remains audible with robust tonic; citrus garnishes steer brightness.
Famous serves
1) Tanqueray & Tonic (Classic G&T)
Ingredients
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50 ml (1⅔ oz) Tanqueray London Dry
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125–150 ml (4–5 oz) well-chilled tonic water (high carbonation, clean bitterness)
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Ice: large, fresh cubes
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Garnish: lime wheel or peel (lemon peel for a softer angle; grapefruit twist for a modern lift)
Method
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Chill a highball or copa glass; fill to the top with fresh ice.
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Add Tanqueray.
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Top with tonic, pouring down the side (or a barspoon) to preserve bubbles.
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Express a citrus peel over the top; add the garnish.
Ratio tip: Start at 1 : 2.5 (gin : tonic). Edge toward 1 : 2 for sweeter/softer tonics; toward 1 : 3 for bitter, highly carbonated tonics.
2) Tanqueray Martini (House Dry)
Ingredients
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60 ml (2 oz) Tanqueray London Dry
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10–15 ml (⅓–½ oz) dry vermouth (adjust to taste)
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Garnish: lemon twist (for brightness) or olive (for savory depth)
Method
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Stir gin and vermouth with plenty of ice until very cold.
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Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
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Express lemon oils over the surface (or drop an olive).
Why it works: Tanqueray’s juniper-centric profile delivers a classic, incisive martini with clean citrus-spice top notes.
3) Tanqueray Negroni (Stirred, bitter-bright)
Ingredients
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30 ml (1 oz) Tanqueray London Dry
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30 ml (1 oz) sweet (rosso) vermouth
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30 ml (1 oz) bitter aperitivo (e.g., classic Italian bitter)
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Garnish: orange peel
Method
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Stir all ingredients with ice until well-chilled.
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Strain over a large cube in a rocks glass.
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Express and add the orange peel.
Why it works: Tanqueray’s firm juniper signal cuts through bitterness and sweetness, keeping the cocktail structured.
Buying & pairing tips
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Tonic choice: For a classic snap, pick a neutral Indian tonic with firm, clean bitterness. For softer edges, choose a Mediterranean/citrus-accented tonic.
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Garnish logic: Lime sharpens; lemon softens; grapefruit adds floral-citrus lift; a small rosemary sprig gives herbal height (especially with No. Ten).
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ABV matters: If you enjoy a bolder G&T or martini, seek the higher-strength bottling available in your market.
Why Tanqueray endures
Precision, restraint, and repeatability. With a compact botanical set and a devotion to dryness, Tanqueray delivers a juniper-forward profile that anchors countless classic cocktails. Whether you’re pouring a textbook G&T, a bracing martini, or a balanced Negroni, Tanqueray provides the clear, confident London Dry character bartenders trust.
