London Dry Gin

• London dry gin is the most common type of gin in the world today and is made by many different manufacturers, both within and outside the United Kingdom. Beefeater is only one example. It is a dry gin of English origin and is typically used to mix gin drinks and cocktails like the martini (containing gin and dry vermouth), gin and tonic (containing gin and tonic water), Negroni (containing gin, Campari bitters and sweet vermouth), Tom Collins (containing gin and club soda) and Gimlet (containing gin and lime juice).

Plymouth Gin

• Plymouth gin is known for being an aromatic, citrusy gin. Today, it is only manufactured in Plymouth, England, under the Plymouth brand. Unsurprisingly, it is not as common as many other types of gin. Plymouth gin is served straight or used in different mixed drinks.

Genever Gin

• Genever gin is light yellow in color and is made in the Dutch or German way, by distilling malted grain --- similar to whiskey --- and then aging it in oak casks. Genever gin is sweeter and has less alcoholic content than a London dry gin. Genever gin is served chilled and straight, traditionally with a dried green herring on the side.

New Dry Gin

• New dry gin is a more recent type of gin. It includes those gins that de-emphasize the juniper berry taste in favor of other herb and spice flavors. One example is Hendrick's Gin from Scotland, which, in addition to the juniper berries, is infused with rose and cucumber and is typically served straight with ice and cucumber slices.

Sloe Gin

• Sloe gin isn't a proper gin per se, but it shares the gin spirit's name and was created and mainly consumed in England. Sloe gin is made in one of two ways: infusing gin with sloe berries or creating a liqueur from sloe berries. Sloe gin is served straight and chilled. However, a Spanish variant, called pacharán, infuses sloe berries in anisette liqueur along with coffee beans and vanilla pods.