Beefeater gin vs Tanqueray
Beefeater vs Tanqueray — which gin for your G&T (and more)?
TL;DR
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Crisp classic G&T: Tanqueray London Dry (sharper juniper, often higher ABV; great with lime + neutral Indian tonic).
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Balanced, citrus-bright all-rounder: Beefeater London Dry (nine botanicals with Seville orange peel; great value; lemon peel + neutral tonic).
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Martini lover? Tanqueray punches a bit cleaner; Beefeater 24 or Tanqueray No. Ten add elevated citrus options.
Side-by-side snapshot
| Feature | Beefeater London Dry | Tanqueray London Dry |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Classic London Dry; balanced | Classic London Dry; assertive juniper |
| Typical ABV* | ~40% (varies by market) | 43.1% EU / 47.3% US (varies) |
| Botanicals (headline) | 9 total: juniper, coriander, Seville orange & lemon peels, angelica root/seed, orris, almond, licorice | Tight set (famously 4): juniper, coriander, angelica, licorice |
| Flavor profile | Juniper + bright citrus, dry peppery mid-palate, clean finish | Laser-clear juniper, lemon-pepper snap, very dry, taut finish |
| Mouthfeel | Linear, slightly softer edges | Firmer, more angular; holds line in mixers |
| Best in… | Classic G&T, Negroni, versatile crowd-pleaser | G&T (crisp), Martini (dry), holds up at higher dilution |
| Price/Value | Often slightly cheaper; excellent value | Often slightly higher; pays off in punch and clarity |
*Check your local bottling—ABV affects texture, aroma carry, and how well the gin stands up to tonic.
How they behave in key cocktails
Gin & Tonic
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Beefeater: balanced, citrus peels sing; works with neutral Indian tonics. Garnish: lemon peel (classic) or lime for extra snap.
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Tanqueray: louder juniper; reads crisper with the same tonic. Garnish: lime peel or grapefruit for a brighter edge.
Ratio starting point: 1 : 2.5 (gin : tonic). Shift to 1 : 2 for softer/sweeter tonics; 1 : 3 for bitter/highly carbonated tonics.
Martini (Dry, stirred)
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Beefeater: structured, citrus-lifted; 60 ml gin + 10–15 ml dry vermouth, lemon twist.
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Tanqueray: ultra-clean, juniper-forward; 60 ml + 10–15 ml vermouth, lemon twist (or olive).
If you like extra citrus perfume, Tanqueray No. Ten is built for martinis.
Negroni
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Beefeater: juniper/citrus keep sweetness in check—very tidy.
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Tanqueray: sharper spine; great if you prefer a drier, taut Negroni.
Picking based on your taste & tonic
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You prefer crisp, assertive, “classic bar” vibes: go Tanqueray; pair with a neutral Indian tonic (high carbonation), lime peel.
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You like balanced, citrus-bright and versatile across cocktails: choose Beefeater; lemon peel + neutral tonic.
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Your tonic is on the sweeter/softer side: lean Tanqueray (it cuts through).
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Your tonic is quite bitter/strong: Beefeater can feel a touch rounder, or use a grapefruit peel with Tanqueray.
Upgrade paths (same houses)
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Beefeater → Beefeater 24: tea and citrus nuance, still dry; elegant in martinis and G&Ts.
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Tanqueray → Tanqueray No. Ten: fresh whole citrus, higher ABV; benchmark for martinis and bright G&Ts.
Bottom line
You can make an excellent G&T with either. If forced to choose a single bottle for G&Ts and martinis: Tanqueray edges it for punch and clarity. For an all-purpose home bar that’s stellar value and plays beautifully in Negronis and G&Ts: Beefeater is hard to beat.
