Gin starts with a neutral grain spirit, typically distilled from grains like barley, corn, rye, or wheat. This base spirit is usually distilled to a high proof to remove any flavors from the raw materials.

The primary botanical in gin, juniper, provides its distinctive piney and resinous flavor. Additional botanical additions include citrus peels, coriander seeds, angelica root, cardamom, and various herbs and spices. Easch distiller selects a unique combination to create their gin’s signature profile.

Gins are produced all over the world and can generally be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, with tonic — a particularly great match for gin — and in cocktails. Don’t miss our featured cocktails below.

Without further ado, let’s jump into our list of curated spirit ‘stars’ this month.

Note: All prices in effect from June 1-30, 2026 at all four Oliver’s Market locations.

Featured Favorite

Hendrick’s Gin, 750 ML Bottle, $29.99 +crv  

“It’s a garden party with Hendricks Gin! Cucumber and rose flavors make for a delightfully fun Gin and Tonic. Uniquely refreshing!” – David Riley, Stony Point Wine Manager

Discover your Gin Personality

Gin is one of the most diverse and expressive spirits out there. Whether you’re drawn to bold tradition, floral elegance, wild flavors, or easygoing sips.

In this issue, we’re celebrating that variety by matching gins to five distinct personalities: The Traditionalist, The Romantic, The Adventurer, the Cocktail Enthusiast, and The Casual Sipper.

Which one are you? Read on to find out!

The Traditionalist: You value time-tested quality and no-nonsense flavor. Bold juniper and classic botanicals speak your language. Nothing fancy, just solid reliable gin the way it’s meant to be.

Beefeater London Dry Gin, 750 ML Bottle, $17.99 +crv          

“A remarkably clean flavor, with a bold juniper character that is balanced with strong notes of citrus. The botanicals are steeped for 24 hours resulting in a complex, yet perfectly balanced gin of depth & integrity.” – Justin Bowman, Cotati Wine Manager

The Romantic: You’re drawn to elegance, florals, and a touch of whimsy. Soft botanicals, rose petals, and fragrant notes create a sensory experience as captivating as your favorite love story.

Bombay Sapphire Gin, 750 ML Bottle, $18.99 +crv   

“Delicately balanced and incredibly versatile, it boasts ten exotic botanicals from around the world. Each sip features notes of juniper, citrus coriander, peppers, and spices. Try it in a martini cocktail or Tom Collins.”  – Justin Bowman, Cotati Wine Manager

New Alchemy Fleurette Gin, 750 ML Bottle, $26.99 +crv

“Bright and refreshing is this Gin. Delicate juniper flavors with more emphasis on floral and botanicals with a touch of sweetness. Delicious.”  – David Riley, Stony Point Wine Manager

The Cocktail Enthusiast: You see gin as a playground for creativity. Whether it’s shaken, stirred, or spritzed, you want a gin that blends seamlessly into every cocktail you can dream up!

The Botanist Islay Dry Gin, 750 ML Bottle, $24.99 +crv LOCAL

“A dry gin from Islay, Scotland, known for its 22 hand foraged botanicals. This gin has a layered profile of citrus, floral and spice. So much quality in the bottle for a reasonable price!” – Josh Kirchhoff, Corporate Wine & Liquor Coordinator

Aviation American Gin, 750 ML Bottle, $14.99 +crv

“A precise blend of botanicals – cardamom, coriander, lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, juniper, and orange peel – macerated for 18 hours. Add with sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitters for an Aviation Cosmo.” – Matteo Polverari, Montecito Wine Manager

The Adventurer: You crave the unexpected and love discovering new flavor landscapes. Earthy herbs, coastal botanicals, and forest aromas are your passport to gin exploration.

Gray Whale Gin, 750 ML Bottle, $29.99 +crv 

“A unique gin that sources its ingredients exclusively from regions within California. Not only does this gin taste great, but it also donates a portion of its profits to Oceana, a nonprofit that fights to preserve our oceans.” – Brandon Witwicki, Windsor Wine Manager

Four Pillars Oliver Leaf Gin, 750 ML Bottle, $26.99 +crv

“Made from cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and olive leaf tea, you get a more savory and herbaceous gin. Notes of rosemary, green olive, and lemon. You can mix it in a classic Martini or a Spanish-inspired Gintonic!” – Matteo Polverari, Montecito Wine Manager

The Casual Sipper: You like things easygoing, smooth, and approachable. A hint of citrus, a softer touch of botanicals, and a mellow finish. This is gin you don’t have to think twice about.

Tanqueray Gin, 750 ML Bottle, $19.99 +crv

“The original, classic gin with balanced botanicals. The ideal partner for Martinis and Gin and Tonics. Doesn’t get any more classic than this!” – Josh Kirchhoff, Corporate Wine & Liquor Coordinator

New Amsterdam Gin, 750 ML Bottle, $10.99 +crv

“My favorite gin at this price point that keeps money in your pocket, without compromising on quality. This gin is a juniper-driven London Dry style that will work great with any cocktail!” – Brandon Witwicki, Windsor Wine Manager

The Care and Keeping of your Gin                                                      

• Store in a cool, dark area, such as a wine cellar, pantry, cabinet or box
• Store your gin in its bottle or a well-sealed decanter
• Store at a stable temperature, and avoid sunlight (68-72 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal)
• To enjoy all of its nuanced flavors, gin can also be chilled before serving, especially if serving neat.

Ways to Enjoy Gin

• On the rocks, where nuanced flavors emerge as the ice slowly melts
• Sipped Neat, ideally lightly or fully chilled
• In a cocktail, which can range from the classic Gin & Tonic or Martini to more complex creations
• Don’t forget that it can be used in infusions and in cooking, too!

Cocktails, Anyone?

Cucumber Garden Gimlet

• 2 oz. Hendrick’s Gin
• 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz. elderflower liqueur
• 3 cucumber slices

1. Shake first three ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with cucumber slice.

Classic Martini

• 2 1/2 oz. Beefeater Gin
• 1/2 oz. dry vermouth
• Lemon twist or olive

1. Stir gin and vermouth with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.
2. Garnish with lemon twist or olive.

Islay Herb Garden

• 2 oz. The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
• 3/4 oz. lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. honey syrup
• Small basil leaf and thyme sprig

1. Shake and strain the gin, juice, and syrup over ice.
2. Garnish with thyme and basil leaf

California Coast Cocktail

• 2 oz. Gray Whale Gin
• 3/4 oz. grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• 1/2 oz. agave syrup
• Pinch of sea salt
• Rosemary or Mint as garnish

1. Add gin, juices, syrup, and salt to a shaker without ice and mix.
2. Add ice and shake. Pour into a rocks glass over ice.
3. Garnish with herbs as desired.

Gin Rickey

• 2 oz. Tanqueray Gin
• 3/4 oz. lime juice
• Soda Water
• Lime slices for garnish

1. Add gin, juice, and soda to an ice filled highball glass. Stir until well chilled.
2. Garnish with lime slice.

The Laverstoke

• 50ml Bombay Sapphire
• 15ml St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• 15ml Martini Bianco
• 100ml Fever Tree Ginger Ale – chilled and freshly opened
• 2 lime wedges – well squeezed
• 1 ginger root slice
• 1 mint sprig freshly awoken

1. Squeeze 2 lime wedges into a gallon glass then add a ginger root slice
2. Measure & pour in the St. Germain, Martini Bianco & Bombay Sapphire in that order
3. Swirl well to mix then fill the glass full of cubed ice
4. Briefly stir to chill then carefully add the ginger ale then gently fold/stir to combine
5. Finally, finish with a freshly awoken mint sprig

Fleurette 75

• 1 ½ oz. Fleurette Gin
• ¾ oz. Simple Syrup
• ¾ oz. Lemon Juice
• 1 egg white
• 3 drops Orange Blossom Water
• Champagne, to top
• Peychaud’s Bitters and Cherry

1. Dry shake all ingredients for 20 seconds, then add ice and shake for 15 more seconds.
2. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a cherry and top with Champagne. Finish with a few drops of Peychaud’s Bitters.

Elderflower Spritz

• 1 ½ parts Gray Whale Gin
• ½ part Carpano Bianco
• ½ part Elderflower Liqueur
• 2 parts Prosecco or Cava
• Club Soda
• Lemon Twist for garnish

1. Add all ingredients to a wine glass and top with ice.
2. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Cucumber Lemonade

• 50ml Hendrick’s Original Gin
• 20ml Lemon Juice
• 20ml Sugar Syrup
• Top with soda water
• 3 rounds of cucumber and 1 lemon wheel

1. Combine all ingredients in a highball glass filled with cubed ice
2. Lightly stir and serve
3. Garnish with 3 thinly sliced rounds of cucumber and a lemon wheel

Big Sur Sunset

• 2 parts Gray Whale Gin
• 1 part lemon juice
• 3/4 part raspberry syrup
• 1/2 part orgeat
• 1 egg white
• Garnish with fresh raspberry

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously without ice, then add ice and shake again

Beefeater Gin & Tonic

• 50 ml. Beefeater London Dry Gin
• 125 ml. tonic water

Add Beefeater Dry Gin to a copa, over ice. Top with tonic water. Garnish with wheels of lemon and orange.

Aviation Cosmo

• 1 1/2 oz. Aviation American Gin
• 3/4 oz. sweet vermouth
• 1/4 oz. maraschino liqueur
• Dashes of bitters

1. Combine all ingredients into mixing glass with Ice.
2. Stir, then strain into Martini glass.
3. Top with dashes of Bitters and garnish with Lemon Peel and Maraschino Cherry.

Bee’s Knees

• 2 oz. New Amsterdam Gin
• 3/4 oz. honey syrup
• 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice

1. Add ingredients into an ice-filled shaker and shake vigorously to chill.
2. Strain mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a lemon peel.

The Oliver’s Market Beer, Wine & Spirits Team is At Your Service

Our passionate team is always ready to assist, whether your question be about Gin or anything else you might be seeking in our department. Please do not hesitate to let us know how we may be of service.

Cheers!