In the dimly lit streets of 1860s London, Beefeater gin was born during the era of smoggy nights, echoing footsteps, and the distant chimes of Big Ben. This gin has seen the world change, yet its recipe remains untouched.
As a Londoner born and bred with a penchant for the unusual, I’m on a quest to uncover the best Beefeater gins from its classic London dry and beyond. This is not a taste journey but a descent into the very soul of old London itself.
Best Beefeater Gins
Building on classic botanicals of juniper, citrus and spice, the best Beefeater gins add delicious fruits, herbs and even exotic Asian teas. Here are 9 to try.
1. Beefeater London Dry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Beefeater
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
Beefeater London Dry Gin embodies traditional London dry style with a recipe that has remained essentially unchanged, including lemon peel, angelica root, coriander seed, orris root, and liquorice.
On The Nose
Juniper-forward with lots of citrus and a hint of spice.
On The Palate
A robust juniper profile, complemented by bright citrus notes and a touch of earthy spice, leads to a crisp finish that commands respect.
Best Served
For me, this is the benchmark gin for a classic gin and tonic. I’d recommend a slice of lemon to enhance the citrus a little more. Also, try it in a Last Word cocktail.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
2. Beefeater 24 Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Beefeater
- ABV: 45% (90 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Berry Red
Review
A more contemporary take on the classic, Beefeater 24 Gin is infused with 12 botanicals, including rare teas such as Japanese sencha and Chinese green tea, reminding me of the Opihr gins I recently reviewed.
On The Nose
Aromatic with grapefruit zest and rich tea aromas.
On The Palate
Begins with a dance of juniper and citrus, plus the subtle warmth of tea becomes evident mid-palate. The finish is clean, yet the exotic tea notes linger nicely.
Best Served
Enjoy this beauty in a G&T or a Martini with a twist of grapefruit peel. Trust me on this one; it’s heaven.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
3. Beefeater Crown Jewel Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Beefeater
- ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Burgundy
Review
Inspired by the jewels secured in the Tower of London, Beefeater Crown Jewel Gin has a higher ABV and plenty of citrus and spice, ensuring a gin that lives up to its name.
On The Nose
Bright citrus with a hint of peppery spice.
On The Palate
It’s bold, with pronounced juniper-forward and citrus notes upfront, revealing sweet liquorice followed by a warming spiced finish yet retaining juniper freshness.
Best Served
Enjoy in a G&T with a kick or in a Negroni, where the juniper boldness will shine through beautifully.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
4. Beefeater Blood Orange Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Beafeater
- ABV: 37.5% (75 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Orange
Review
Inspired by a recipe dating back to 1876, Beefeater Blood Orange Gin ensures an explosion of blood orange with a lush, zesty bitterness.
On The Nose
Intense blood orange with a hint of juniper and orange peel.
On The Palate
The blood orange is dominant from the start, nicely balanced with the traditional gin botanicals, or which coriander and almond stand out. The finish is zesty and slightly bitter.
Best Served
Pair a 50ml measure with equal parts ginger ale and prosecco with a splash of lime juice for a Blood Orange Spritz.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
5. Beefeater Peach & Raspberry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Beefeater
- ABV: 37.5% (75 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Gold
Review
Beefeater Peach & Raspberry Gin is a fruity delight, blending sweet peach and tangy raspberry for a true summer treat and an ideal gin for beginners.
On The Nose
Sweet peach with a hint of raspberry tartness and citrus.
On The Palate
The peach is upfront, followed by the tangy raspberry, with clean juniper undertones that never dominate. It’s an interesting combo of sweet and tart.
Best Served
I recommend you keep it simple for this one, so pair it with soda water or lemonade and pop in a few raspberries for good measure.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
6. Beefeater Pink Strawberry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Beefeater
- ABV: 37.5% (75 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Soft Pink
Review
Beefeater Pink Strawberry Gin is a playful blend using the same recipe as their classic London dry with a burst of strawberry sweetness to accompany the traditional hint of juniper.
On The Nose
Fresh strawberries, crisp juniper, lemon citrus.
On The Palate
The strawberry dominates initially, and although sweet, the juniper keeps it grounded, and the crisp finish has a touch of zest.
Best Served
In a gin and lemonade with fresh strawberries, or try it in any gin cocktail, such as a French 75 with a strawberry twist.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
7. Beefeater Rhubarb & Cranberry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Beefeater
- ABV: 37.5% (75 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Rosy
Review
If you prefer a tangy and sweet gin, Beefeater Rhubarb & Cranberry Gin blends rhubarb’s tartness with cranberry’s sweetness to undoubtedly hit the spot.
On The Nose
Tart rhubarb with a hint of sweet cranberry and a touch of citrus.
On The Palate
The rhubarb hits first, followed by the sweet cranberry flavours mid-palate and a crisp finish. It’s a balance that I find perfect for the autumn.
Best Served
I recommend you try this in a gin and tonic with a generous splash of Angostura bitters and a slice of lime. The tartness is beautifully enhanced.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
8. Beefeater Blackberry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Beefeater
- ABV: 37.5% (75 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Violet
Review
A rich and fruity gin, what I like about Beefeater Blackberry Gin is that it’s deliciously fruity yet keeps the signature London dry botanicals intact.
On The Nose
Deep blackberry with a hint of juniper and citrus.
On The Palate
The blackberry is rich and dominant, but the traditional gin botanicals such as almond and liquorice give it a beautiful complexity. The finish has a discreet sweetness from the fruit.
Best Served
Try this in a Bramble cocktail, where the blackberry shines brilliantly. This is a gin you’ll find yourself reaching for often.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
9. Beefeater London Garden Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Beefeater
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
A homage to London’s gardens, this gin blends traditional botanicals with a hint of herbaceous notes, such as thyme and lemon verbena, along the same lines as Malfy gin.
On The Nose
Juniper and citrus with fragrant garden herbs.
On The Palate
It’s a classic gin profile of juniper and citrus with a twist. The herbaceous notes give it a fresh, garden-like feel that’s truly unique.
Best Served
Love a spicy kick? I would pair Beefeater London Garden Gin with ginger ale and some fresh rosemary.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
Andrew’s Top Pick
Beefeater Blackberry Gin
Beefeater Blackberry Gin is my top pick as the berries are rich and delicious, yet the juniper, citrus and other original botanicals can still shine.
Gin Cocktail Ideas
Here are some cocktail ideas for each Beefeater gin to help you get your party started.
| No. | Gin | Cocktail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beefeater London Dry Gin | Gin & Tonic, Negroni, French 75 |
| 2 | Beefeater 24 Gin | Martini, Negroni, Gin Spritz, Gin Gimlet |
| 3 | Beefeater Crown Jewel Gin | Ultimate Martini, Red & White Gibson |
| 4 | Beefeater Blood Orange Gin | Bloody Mary, Blood Orange Spritz |
| 5 | Beefeater Peach & Raspberry Gin | Peach & Raspberry Martini, Fruity Collins |
| 6 | Beefeater Pink Strawberry Gin | Pink Gin & Tonic, Pink Strawberry Collins |
| 7 | Beefeater Rhubarb & Cranberry Gin | Rhubarb & Cranberry Martini, Tart Gin Collins |
| 8 | Beefeater Blackberry Gin | Blackberry Martini, Blackberry Spritz |
| 9 | Beefeater London Garden Gin | London Garden Martini, Gin Spritz |
Conclusion
In the vast universe of gin, Beefeater has managed to carve a name for itself with its diverse range of delicious offerings, all with the same DNA as its original gin recipe.
From the classic London Dry to the fruity delights of their fruity gins, the best Beefeater gins have something special for every palate.
Also Read: 10 Best Sipsmith Gins: Elevate Your Gin Game
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.
