Gin comes in a variety of styles, but one of the most distinct is Navy Strength gin. Here’s what sets it apart and what’s behind its unique name.
I went through a serious gin & tonic phase in my twenties and worked my way through a lot of different gin brands. For the most part, the style was London Dry gin, which is tangy and tart and full of botanical flavors.
And while London Dry is among the most popular gin styles, navy strength is worth a try if you’re looking for something unique to take your cocktail game to the next level.
In this post, I’ll go over what navy strength gin is, how it’s different from other gin styles, some great cocktails to make with it, and 6 navy strength gins to try.
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What is navy strength gin?
Navy strength gin refers to any gin with at least 57% alcohol. The high alcohol content not only makes drinks stronger, it also enhances the flavors of the botanicals in gin, creating very flavorful cocktails.
But this distinctive, higher proof style of gin got its start for a very different reason. As far back as the 16th century, sailors in the British Royal Navy were allotted alcohol rations. Officers often opted for gin.
On board ships, the supplies of gin were stored next to munitions. So the liquor needed to be strong enough so that the gun powder would still ignite if the alcohol leaked into it. The ABV of 57% was the threshold. Anything weaker, and it would render the gunpowder useless.
These days, alcohol rations are no longer a thing in the Royal Navy, but navy gin has endured.
What does navy strength gin taste like?
Like other types of gin, navy strength is made with juniper, plus additional botanicals, herbs, and often citrus. But because it’s less diluted than other gins, those flavors are enhanced. The result is a very fragrant and flavorful type of gin.
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What are the best cocktails for navy strength gin?
You want to use this gin in cocktails where the gin itself is the star, not ones that mask it with sugary or very fruity mixers or juices. Here are a few ideas:
Classic gin martini
This cocktail is the quintessential drink for gin lovers. It only has three ingredients: gin, vermouth, and orange bitters. And typically the ratio is 2-1 gin over vermouth. So the gin really stands out. That makes the martini a clear choice for navy strength gin.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz vermouth
- Dash of orange bitters
How to make it
Chill a martini glass in the freezer. Then fill a mixing glass with ice and pour in the ingredients. Stir well and strain into the chilled martini glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Vesper martini
Think of the Vesper like a gin martini with an added kick. That’s thanks to the addition of vodka. But don’t worry, the gin is still the star here.
An invention of James Bond creator Ian Fleming, this drink first appeared in Fleming’s book Casino Royale. In the subsequent movie of the same name, Daniel Craig’s Bond helpfully tells the waiter how to make it, step by step:
“Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it over ice, and then add a large thin slice of lemon-peel.”
Kina Lillet doesn’t exist anymore, so you’ll need to substitute it with Lillet Blanc or dry vermouth. To make it with navy strength gin, substitute the Gordon’s with navy strength Plymouth gin. It’s very close in flavor with bright citrus notes and juniper.
Ingredients
- 3 oz gin
- 1 oz vodka
- .5 oz lillet blanc
- Lemon peel
How to make it
Combine the gin, vodka, and lillet blanc in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into a cold martini glass. Add lemon peel to garnish. Or just see Bond’s instructions above!
Gin & tonic
One of the most popular gin cocktails, the G&T is also short on ingredients, which allows the gin flavors to come through clearly. The key is to use both a high-quality gin and a good tonic. Avoid tonics that are too sugary, for example. When mixing, aim for an even balance between the floral nature of the gin and the bitterness of the tonic.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 5 oz tonic
- Lime
How to make it
Fill a tall glass with ice. Add the gin and tonic and stir well. Squeeze in a bit of lime juice, Garnish with a lime wheel.
Gimlet
The gimlet’s origins are believed to date back to the 19th century. In order to combat scurvy among sailors in the British navy, a doctor named Desmond Gimlette ordered that lime juice be mixed with the officers’ daily gin rations. It proved to be really popular, so much so that the term “limeys,” now slang for a British person, derived from it.
The modern-day Gimlet is easy to make, and using navy strength gin really shows off the gin flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 3/4 oz lime juice
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
How to make it
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the gin, simple syrup, and lime juice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Add lime slice for garnish.
6 Navy Strength Gins to try
The Falls Distilling Knotty Gin
This peppy gin is made in my neck of the woods in Oregon, and I think it’s one of the best in terms of pure flavor. It highlights the juniper found in most gins, but it’s also very citrus-forward, thanks to the addition of six types of citrus.
Navy strength Knotty Gin will work well in any of the cocktails listed above, but the citrus flavors go exceptionally well in a gimlet, emphasizing the drink’s lime juice component.
Plymouth Navy Strength Gin
This distinctive gin can only come from one place, the coastal city in southern England where it originated. And if you like traditional London Dry gin, chances are you’ll like Plymouth as well. It’s made the same way to highlight the juniper, spice, and citrus aromas, but it’s a bit softer on the palate. It also features some noticeable fruitiness that makes it a good choice for cocktails that use fruit juices.
Hayman’s Royal Dock Navy Strength Gin
With a nice balance of juniper, citrus, and spice, Hayman Navy Strength Royal Dock Gin is brightly-flavored with a smooth finish. That also makes it a great choice for a gimlet, but also for a classic gin martini.
If you’re pairing it with food, Hayman’s suggests having it alongside spicy Indian dishes which will complement the spice of the gin.
Leopold’s Navy Strength American Gin
Just because navy strength gin has its roots in the British Royal Navy, that doesn’t mean you can’t find excellent examples in the good old United States. Case in point: Leopold’s Navy Strength American Gin.
The ingredients in this gin are distilled separately, emphasizing their individual flavors. Those flavors include coriander seed, cardamon, and juniper. The result is a rich smooth gin, ideal for cocktails.
Perry’s Tot Navy Strength Gin
Another American addition to this gin category, Perry Tot’s Navy Strength Gin hails from Brooklyn, New York. Named after 19th century Booklyn Navy Yard Commandant Matthew Perry, it has the requisite 57% ABV of the other gins of this style, and it features comforting earthy and orange notes.
Purity Navy Strength Gin
What’s the key to making a great-tasting gin? According to the makers of Purity Navy Strength Gin, you need to start with some great vodka. They distill their vodka 34 times, then add botanicals to achieve a more traditional gin taste. Fruity, floral, and full of juniper flavors, you’ll never know the difference!
FAQ
The biggest difference is the alcohol content. London dry gin usually has an ABV between 40%-47%. Navy strength gin has a minimum of 57% alcohol. London Dry got its name because it doesn’t feature any added artificial flavors, instead highlighting the juniper and other botanicals in the drink. These flavors stand out even more in navy strength gin since it is less diluted.
Unopened gin will keep its original flavor for several years if stored under the right conditions. Once you open it, it won’t ever really spoil, but you may notice the flavor decline over time. Generally, it’s recommended to consume a bottle of gin within two years of opening it for peak freshness.
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