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VinePair’s 2026 report asked 15 bartenders to recommend gins for people new to the spirit. Their selections vary widely, but many are described as approachable because of balanced, citrus, floral or fruit notes, and several are recommended for classic cocktails.
VinePair has published 15 bartenders’ picks for beginner-friendly gin, offering newcomers a range of bottles rather than naming a single winner. The recommendations include familiar London Dry gins and more citrus-, floral- and fruit-led options, with bartenders explaining which flavors and cocktails make each bottle approachable.
The list spans brands and styles including Beefeater London Dry, Citadelle, Fords, Hendrick’s, Suntory Roku and Bayab Orange and Marula. Other recommendations include Aria Classic Dry, Condesa Gin “Clásica,” Bluecoat American Dry, Bayab Palm & Pineapple, Drumshanbo Gunpowder, Tanqueray, Letherbee, Nolet’s Silver Dry and The Botanist Islay Dry Gin. The report presents these as individual bartenders’ choices, not as a ranked tasting or a consensus winner.
Several contributors focus on balancing gin’s characteristic juniper with other botanicals. Jarett Karlsberg, beverage director at Brooklyn’s Wythe Hotel, calls Citadelle “right down the middle,” describing it as easy-drinking with juniper that is present but not overpowering. Chicago beverage director Charlotte Marshall recommends Fords for a similar reason, saying it avoids the “pine tree” intensity some newcomers may associate with gin and works across classic cocktails.
Other bartenders point toward more distinctive flavor profiles. Zack Atzert of The Fountain Inn in Washington, D.C., recommends Bayab Orange and Marula for drinkers who find gin medicinal, citing its citrus character and the South African fruit in its name. Martha Davis of Houston’s The Marigold Club describes Roku as floral and citrusy, with Japanese botanicals including sakura, yuzu and sencha tea. The article also lists Hendrick’s, whose cucumber and rose notes are cited in the supplied source as an accessible introduction.
Different Paths Into Gin
The recommendations underline that “beginner-friendly” does not mean one flavor profile. Someone put off by strong juniper may prefer a citrus- or floral-forward bottle, while a drinker curious about classic gin flavors could start with a London Dry. That variety gives readers a practical way to match a first purchase to their own tastes rather than treating gin as a single, uniform style.
The bartenders also emphasize versatility. Fords is recommended as an all-purpose option for classic cocktails; Aria is suggested for a Martini, Gin and Tonic or Negroni; and Condesa “Clásica” is used in both White Negronis and Martinis, according to Ricky Dolinsky of New York’s Dandelion and Keepers. These are professional opinions, not guarantees that every bottle will suit every palate.
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From Juniper to Wider Styles
The VinePair report sets the recommendations against a change in how consumers encounter gin. It says the spirit was a harder sell during the early craft-cocktail revival, when some drinkers were less willing to try botanical spirits than brown spirits. The article recalls a story in which a bartender at New York’s Pegu Club reportedly described gin to guests as “juniper-flavored vodka” to make it more familiar.
The source says the category has since expanded through expressions from around the world that build flavor around gin’s required juniper. That broader selection can make choosing a first bottle less straightforward. The report’s premise is that working bartenders can help narrow the options, though its recommendations reflect the contributors’ own preferences and experience.
“For something right down the middle, I would go with Citadelle Gin.”
— Jarett Karlsberg, beverage director at Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn
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No Single Bottle Is Crowned
The supplied report does not identify an overall winner, give the bartenders’ recommendations a numerical ranking or describe a shared tasting process. It is a collection of 15 professional recommendations, and the flavor descriptions are attributed opinions rather than independent test results. The source material provided here includes only part of its Hendrick’s recommendation and does not give the full explanation for every listed bottle.
It is also unclear from the source which bottle would be cheapest or easiest to find in every market. Availability and price vary by location, and the report does not provide a standardized comparison of either. Readers should treat the list as a starting point for exploration, not a definitive buying guide for every budget or preference.
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Choosing a First Pour
The next step for a new gin drinker is to use the bartenders’ flavor descriptions to narrow the field: consider a citrus-forward or floral profile if strong juniper sounds unappealing, or a London Dry option if you want a more traditional style. When possible, trying a small pour at a bar before buying a full bottle can help determine which direction suits your palate.
For a mixed drink, the contributors suggest several ways to use their picks, from Martinis and Negronis to Gin and Tonics. Clark’s advice also makes clear that a mixer is part of the drink, not an afterthought. The report provides no announced follow-up or additional testing; any further guidance would depend on later coverage or recommendations from bartenders and retailers.
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Key Questions
Did the bartenders choose one best gin for beginners?
No. VinePair presents 15 individual recommendations and does not rank them or name one overall winner.
Which picks are described as less juniper-forward?
In the supplied report, Fords is described as balanced rather than juniper-heavy, while Roku is characterized as floral and citrusy. Atzert recommends Bayab Orange and Marula for drinkers who may find gin medicinal.
What is a London Dry option on the list?
Beefeater London Dry Gin is recommended by Sarah Clark, who describes it as crisp, clean and dry. Karlsberg describes Citadelle as an approachable London-style gin.
What cocktails do the bartenders suggest making?
The report mentions Martinis, Gin and Tonics, Negronis, Gimlets and shaken cocktails. The specific suggestions vary by bottle and bartender.
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