Gin is so much more than a trendy drink—it’s liquid history: a blend of tradition, botanicals, and distilling artistry that has traveled through centuries and across continents. But where does gin really come from?
To answer this question, we invite you on a journey back to medieval Europe, where alchemists and monks experimented with herbs and distillates in search of miraculous remedies.
Today, at Bodegas Can Vidalet, we invite you to explore the beginnings of gin, discover its essential ingredients, and see how this spirit ultimately found its way to Spain—especially our Mediterranean corner in Mallorca.
What Is Gin Made Of?
While modern gin comes in many varieties, its essence always starts with a key ingredient: juniper. The dark blue berries of the juniper plant (Juniperus communis) are responsible for gin’s distinct dry, herbal, and slightly resinous flavor—truly what sets gin apart from other spirits.
But gin is more than just juniper. Its base alcohol typically comes from grains like wheat, barley, or rye, which are distilled until a neutral, pure spirit is obtained. To this, distillers add a selection of botanicals: roots, seeds, barks, spices, and fruits, varying with each secret recipe.
At Bodegas Can Vidalet, for Onze Gin, we carefully choose Mediterranean plants and local botanicals—think coriander, lemon peel, angelica root, and liquorice—infusing them in the neutral spirit before distillation to create a unique, fresh, and aromatic Mallorcan gin.
What’s the Alcohol Content of Gin?
By law, gin must contain at least 37.5% alcohol (ABV) and a predominant juniper flavor. Onze Gin offers a balanced 40% ABV, ensuring a robust, elegant flavor profile that delights without overpowering the palate.
The Origin Story of Gin
While modern gin traces its roots to the Netherlands, the real story is even richer. The word “gin” comes from the Dutch jenever and French genièvre—both derived from the Latin juniperus, meaning juniper.
Gin as Medicine
Gin’s origins lie in medieval European monastic and alchemical laboratories, where juniper was valued for its healing powers. Monks and alchemists distilled alcohol with juniper berries to create remedies for kidney and digestive ailments. Juniper was prized as an antiseptic and for giving flavor to spirits, which, at that time, were anything but smooth!
In the 16th century, Dutch doctor Franciscus Sylvius refined these early recipes and popularized jenever—a juniper-flavored grain spirit that became the direct ancestor of modern gin. This elixir was believed to lift the spirits, aid digestion, and treat urinary complaints.
Jenever became so loved that English soldiers, fighting in the Thirty Years’ War, dubbed it “Dutch Courage” and brought the taste for it back to England.
Gin for Enjoyment
By the 17th century, British soldiers serving in Flanders developed a fondness for this local spirit. Soon gin fever swept across England, particularly among the working classes, even sparking the notorious 18th-century “Gin Craze.”
From then on, gin was unstoppable—evolving from a medicinal remedy into England’s national spirit, and soon spreading across Europe for its versatility and mixability.
Gin’s History in Spain
While gin’s heart first beat in northern Europe, it didn’t take long to arrive in Spain. Gin began taking hold in the 18th century, especially in the Balearic Islands. During the British occupation of Menorca, English soldiers and traders distilled local gin using the island’s plentiful juniper.
This tradition remains alive today, with iconic brands like Xoriguer distilling gin in copper stills fired by wood, closely following centuries-old recipes. Balearic gin, with its bold juniper character, is a proud symbol of local culture and remains one of Spain’s finest tempters.
Throughout the 20th century, gin’s popularity spread across the Spanish mainland—first as a classic cocktail ingredient, and later as the star of the beloved “gin-tonic” that brings people together all over Spain.
Today, Spain boasts one of the highest gin consumption rates in Europe, and the creativity of our distillers has led to an explosion of both traditional and innovative gins.
At Bodegas Can Vidalet, we’re proud to be part of this revolution. Onze, our Mallorcan gin, combines British and Dutch heritage with the island’s rich botanicals, resulting in a truly Mediterranean spirit with every pour.
Onze Gin by Bodegas Can Vidalet
The next time you enjoy a glass of gin, remember the journey and stories behind it—from medieval monks to today’s artisan distilleries in Mallorca, through wars, victories, and celebrations.
Where gin comes from is a tale of botanicals, alchemy, and culture. In every bottle from Bodegas Can Vidalet, that legacy lives on. If you want to experience the true island spirit, we invite you to discover and buy the best gin of Mallorca, Onze — a gin crafted with care, passion, and expertise.
Contact us and be surprised by the taste of a reinvented tradition!