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VinePair published recommendations from 15 bartenders on gins they consider approachable for beginners. Their picks span classic London Dry bottles, citrus- and floral-forward styles, and gins featuring regional botanicals; the report does not name one overall winner.
VinePair has published recommendations from 15 bartenders for gins they consider suitable for beginners, offering a range of starting points rather than a single top choice. The list includes familiar London Dry bottles such as Beefeater and Tanqueray, alongside citrus-, floral- and fruit-forward options including Roku, Hendrick’s and Bayab Orange and Marula.
The bartenders’ recommendations reflect different ideas of what makes gin approachable. Some favor a recognizable juniper profile that introduces the spirit’s traditional character without overwhelming it; others point newcomers toward more prominent citrus, floral or fruit notes. The report lists 15 bottles, but the supplied material does not provide a ranked order or identify a consensus winner.
Among the classic-leaning choices, beverage director Jarett Karlsberg of Brooklyn’s Wythe Hotel recommends Citadelle Gin, describing it as easy-drinking, with juniper that is present but not overpowering. Beverage director Charlotte Marshall of Nic & Junior’s Tavern in Chicago says Fords Gin is balanced rather than strongly juniper-heavy and can be used in a range of classic cocktails. Sarah Clark, director of operations at Chicago’s The Dearborn, recommends Beefeater London Dry Gin for its crisp, clean, dry finish.
Other choices offer a different introduction. Zack Atzert, head bartender at The Fountain Inn in Washington, D.C., favors Bayab Orange and Marula Gin, saying its citrus character takes a larger role than juniper and can work in a Martini or Gimlet. Houston bartender Martha Davis recommends Suntory Roku Gin, citing its floral and citrus character and Japanese botanicals. The full list also includes Aria Classic Dry, Condesa Gin ‘Clásica,’ Bluecoat, Hendrick’s, Bayab Palm & Pineapple, Drumshanbo Gunpowder, Tanqueray, Letherbee, Nolet’s Silver Dry and The Botanist.
A Range of Starting Points for Gin
The roundup matters to readers who find gin’s variety difficult to navigate: it connects recommendations to recognizable flavor preferences instead of presenting one style as the required entry point. A newcomer seeking classic juniper can look at London Dry choices, while someone wary of a pine-like profile might start with a bottle bartenders describe as more citrusy, floral or fruit-led.
The list also illustrates that “beginner-friendly” is a bartender’s judgment, not a formal category or a guarantee that every drinker will like a bottle. The recommendations can help narrow a shopping choice, but personal taste, price and local availability may shape which option makes sense.
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From Gin Skepticism to Many Styles
VinePair’s report says gin was a harder sell for some consumers during the early craft-cocktail revival, particularly compared with brown spirits. It recounts a story in which a bartender at New York’s Pegu Club described gin to guests as “juniper-flavored vodka” to make it seem less unfamiliar. The publication presents that anecdote as an example of the effort bartenders once made to introduce the category.
The report says the modern category now includes expressions from around the world that build flavor around juniper, the required defining botanical. That variety creates more choice, but can also make a first purchase harder. The 15 bartenders’ selections are offered as a practical guide through that breadth, not as a formal tasting test or sales ranking.
““Having the juniper and spice play a more minor role than the citrus is what sets this gin apart from the rest.””
— Zack Atzert, head bartender at The Fountain Inn in Washington, D.C.
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No Single Winner or Buying Test
The source material does not report a blind tasting, scoring system, price comparison or ranking among the 15 recommendations. It does not establish that one bottle is objectively best for beginners, and it gives no common definition of “beginner-friendly.” The supplied excerpt also ends partway through the bartender’s comments on Hendrick’s, so it does not include all supporting explanations for every listed bottle.
Prices, regional availability and current product details are not provided. The list should be read as attributed bartender recommendations, not as a guarantee that a bottle will suit each reader’s palate.
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Choosing a First Bottle
The report does not announce a follow-up test or a next publication milestone. Readers can use its recommendations to choose a style to try, then compare how the gin tastes in a simple serve or a classic cocktail. For a first gin and tonic, Clark’s advice is to pay attention to the quality of the tonic as well as the spirit.
Any decision beyond the roundup—such as which bottle is best value or most available in a particular market—requires checking local retailers and product information. The source offers 15 professional perspectives, not a definitive buying verdict.
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Key Questions
Did the bartenders name one best gin for beginners?
No. VinePair’s report lists 15 bartender recommendations but does not rank them or declare a single overall winner.
Which recommendations are more citrus- or floral-forward?
Atzert describes Bayab Orange and Marula as citrus-led. Davis points to floral and citrus character in Suntory Roku, while Brown describes Aria Classic Dry as balancing traditional London Dry character with approachable floral and citrus notes.
Which bottles did bartenders recommend for a classic gin profile?
Recommendations include Beefeater London Dry, Citadelle and Fords. The bartenders describe them in different ways: Beefeater as crisp and dry, Citadelle as juniper-forward without being overpowering, and Fords as balanced and versatile.
Does the report compare prices or availability?
Not across all 15 bottles. Marshall says Fords is reasonably priced and widely available, but the supplied report material does not provide a full price or availability comparison.
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