A Brief Account of British Gin History starts here. 

Gin’s story, like so many good ones, begins elsewhere. Long before it became part of British identity, its ancestor — jenever — was distilled in the Netherlands as a medicinal spirit, flavoured with juniper and taken as much for its supposed health benefits as for enjoyment.

Jenever isn’t simply the Dutch word for gin, but a distinct style in its own right—maltier, softer, and closer in character to whisky. It takes its name from juniper — jeneverbes — which gives us the defining note of gin itself.

Juniper berries, by the way, aren’t really berries at all. They’re the small, blue-purple cones of the Juniperus communis, growing wild across much of Europe, including parts of Britain. If gin has a backbone, this is it: piney, resinous, unmistakable.

How Gin Arrived in Britain

Gin arrived in Britain thanks to William of Orange—a Dutch prince and military leader who became King of England after the Glorious Revolution.

At the time, the English preference had been for French brandy—the drink of choice for those who could afford it. But war with France made that supply unreliable (and politically unpopular).

So the government did something rather bold: it encouraged domestic spirit production. Licences were easy to obtain—or ignore entirely—and grain was plentiful.

Suddenly, Britain wasn’t drinking French brandy anymore. It was drinking its own gin.

And drinking quite a lot of it. British gin history had begun in earnest and spawned an empire.

The Gin Craze: Chaos in 18th-Century London

By the early 18th century, London was in the grip of what we now call the Gin Craze.

But the “distilling industry” behind it looked nothing like today’s carefully run craft distilleries. Production was scattered, informal, and often improvised. Gin was made in back rooms, cellars, and workshops—wherever it could be.

In areas like St Giles (around modern-day Tottenham Court Road), a still might bubble away downstairs while, just a few feet away, gin was being ladled out to customers at a counter. These weren’t pubs, and not quite homes either, but gin shops or dram shops—places set up purely to sell cheap spirits for immediate drinking.

And the gin itself? Often a rough, fiery spirit—harsh, inconsistent, and sometimes barely recognisable by modern standards. Sometimes properly distilled, but just as often mixed: neutral alcohol flavoured after the fact with juniper and whatever else was available.

No labelled bottles. No branding. No consistency. Just speed, volume, and demand.

“Mother’s Ruin”: The Social Impact of Gin

The effects on the public were anything but subtle.

This wasn’t quiet overindulgence—it was full-blown, everyday chaos. People drank in the mornings, in the streets, and in cramped gin shops that seemed to multiply across the city.

The nickname “Mother’s Ruin” tells its own story. Whether exaggerated or not, the imagery stuck: neglected responsibilities, frayed communities, and a sense that things were slipping just a little too far.

William Hogarth captured it vividly in Gin Lane—a scene that remains one of the most powerful depictions of the era.

Parliament responded with a series of Gin Acts, attempting to control production and consumption. Early efforts failed, but over time—helped by rising grain prices and stricter enforcement—the situation began to stabilise.

From Gin Shops to Gin Palaces

By the 19th century, gin had begun to clean up its act.

Advances in distillation, particularly the column still, allowed for a cleaner, more consistent spirit. This is where London Dry Gin begins to take shape: crisp, balanced, and recognisably closer to what we drink today.

Gin also found a new home: the gin palace.

These were purpose-built drinking establishments—brightly lit with gas lamps, fitted with mirrors, polished brass, and decorative glass. Compared to the cramped gin shops of the previous century, they felt almost glamorous.

In many ways, they were the forerunners of the Victorian pub.

Gin hadn’t just improved. It had rebranded.

Gin, Empire, and the Gin & Tonic

As the British Empire expanded, gin travelled with it.

In colonial India, British officers were taking quinine to prevent malaria. Quinine—derived from the bark of the cinchona tree—was effective, but intensely bitter.

Mixing it with sugar, water, and gin made it far more palatable.

And so, the gin and tonic was born—not as a leisurely drink, but as a practical solution.

The Decline and Revival of Gin

Like all fashions, gin’s popularity has risen and fallen.

The late 20th century saw it drift out of favour, overtaken by vodka’s clean neutrality and whisky’s heritage appeal. For a time, gin felt slightly unfashionable.

But tastes change.

The Modern Craft Gin Movement

The revival of the past two decades has been built on almost the exact opposite principles of the Gin Craze.

Where there was once chaos, there is now care. Where there was speed, there is now patience.

Today’s distilleries—whether in London, Cornwall, or coastal towns like Falmouth—are defined by precision, experimentation, and a strong sense of place.

At Rosemullion Distillery, that same approach runs through everything—from botanical selection to distillation itself. You can explore our full range of Cornish spirits on our website, or learn more about how we craft our gin from start to finish.

Modern craft gin is about:

• Thoughtful botanical selection
• Small-batch production
• Provenance and storytelling

A Spirit That Reflects Its Time

And perhaps that’s what makes gin’s story so satisfying.

The same spirit that once fuelled one of Britain’s most unruly chapters has become one of its most thoughtful—still evolving, but now with intent.

From makeshift stills in London back rooms to carefully crafted distilleries on the Cornish coast, gin has come a long way.

And it’s still going.

Further Reading

• Gin: The Much-Lamented Death of Madam Geneva – Jessica Warner
• The World Atlas of Gin – Dave Broom
• Gin Glorious Gin – Olivia Williams
• Museum of London
• The Gin Guild

FAQ: British Gin History

When did gin first become popular in Britain?

Gin became popular in Britain in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It was influenced by Dutch genever, which British soldiers and travellers encountered in Europe, before becoming widely produced and consumed in England. Its popularity grew rapidly during the period later known as the Gin Craze.

What was the Gin Craze?

The Gin Craze was a period in 18th-century Britain when gin consumption increased dramatically, particularly in London. Gin was cheap, widely available and often poorly regulated, which led to social concern and eventually government intervention through a series of Gin Acts.

Why was gin called “Mother’s Ruin”?

Gin earned the nickname “Mother’s Ruin” during the Gin Craze because of its association with poverty, overconsumption and social problems in 18th-century London. The phrase reflected the negative reputation gin developed before regulation and improved production standards helped reshape its image.

How did gin become respectable again?

Gin became more respectable as production improved, laws tightened and distillers began focusing on quality. By the 19th century, gin palaces had helped make gin drinking more fashionable, while styles such as London Dry Gin established a cleaner, more refined reputation.

What is London Dry Gin?

London Dry Gin is a style of gin defined by its production method rather than where it is made. It must be distilled with juniper and other botanicals, with no artificial flavours added after distillation. Despite the name, London Dry Gin can be produced outside London, including by modern craft distilleries.

Is gin originally British?

Gin is not originally British in the strictest sense. Its roots are often linked to Dutch genever, but Britain played a major role in developing gin into the spirit we recognise today. British gin history includes the Gin Craze, the rise of London Dry Gin and the modern craft gin movement.

What botanicals are used in gin?

The essential botanical in gin is juniper, which gives gin its distinctive pine-like character. Other common botanicals include coriander seed, citrus peel, angelica root, orris root, liquorice, cassia, pepper and other herbs, spices or fruits, depending on the distiller’s recipe.

Why is juniper important in gin?

Juniper is the defining ingredient in gin. For a spirit to be recognised as gin, juniper must be the dominant flavour. Other botanicals can add citrus, spice, floral or herbal notes, but juniper is what gives gin its core identity.

What is craft gin?

Craft gin usually refers to gin made in smaller batches with careful attention to ingredients, distillation and flavour. Modern craft distillers often use distinctive botanical blends, local ingredients or traditional copper stills to create gins with a strong sense of place and character.

How has British gin changed in recent years?

British gin has changed dramatically in recent years thanks to the growth of independent distilleries and the craft spirits movement. Gin is no longer seen only as a traditional London Dry spirit; it now includes coastal gins, flavoured gins, seasonal releases and small-batch expressions made across the UK.

What makes Cornish gin different?

Cornish gin often reflects its coastal and rural surroundings, using carefully selected botanicals and small-batch production methods. Rosemullion Distillery, based near the Helford River in Cornwall, creates artisan spirits with a focus on flavour, quality and authenticity.

Does Rosemullion make its own gin from scratch?

Rosemullion is one of a smaller number of distilleries that creates its own base spirit rather than simply flavouring purchased industrial alcohol. This gives the distillery greater control over the character and quality of the finished spirit.

Why is gin so closely associated with Britain?

Gin is closely associated with Britain because it has played such a colourful role in British social history, from the Gin Craze and gin palaces to the rise of London Dry Gin and today’s craft distilling scene. Although its roots are European, Britain helped shape gin’s identity, reputation and global appeal.

What is the best way to enjoy British gin today?

British gin is commonly enjoyed with tonic, plenty of ice and a garnish that complements the botanicals. It is also a key ingredient in classic cocktails such as the Martini, Negroni, Tom Collins and Gimlet. For craft gin, a simple serve often allows the botanical character to shine.