It’s that time of the year when we’re all making plans to welcome 2026 with full pomp and show. But as you gear up for the party, there’s often a lingering doubt about whether the alcohol you’re drinking is actually what you ordered. You pick up a clear cocktail, take a sip, and something feels off. You were expecting a smooth, neutral vodka hit, but instead there’s a sharp, pine-like flavour. Chances are, you’ve just mixed up vodka and gin, a mistake many drinkers have made at least once.
At first glance, gin and vodka look almost identical. Both are colourless, distilled spirits with similar alcohol content and a permanent place on bar menus across the world. But apart from this, the two spirits are very different.
Gin vs vodka: What really sets them apart
The most noticeable difference between gin and vodka is flavour. Vodka is meant to be neutral. It is clean, almost tasteless and has very little aroma. This is why vodka works so well in cocktails like a screwdriver, cosmopolitan or vodka soda, it blends into the drink without taking centre stage.
Gin is the opposite. It is aromatic. Gin must contain juniper berries, which give it a unique piney taste. Most gins also include other botanicals such as coriander seeds, citrus peel, cardamom, angelica root or herbs. This combination creates flavours that can range from herbal and spicy to floral and citrus-forward.
Alcohol content: Is one stronger than the other?
In terms of alcohol content, gin and vodka are more similar than different. Most commercial versions of both spirits are bottled at around 40 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV). Some premium or craft versions may go higher, but neither spirit is inherently stronger than the other. The perception of strength often comes from flavour. Gin tastes sharper because of its botanicals, while vodka feels smoother due to its neutrality.
How is vodka made?
Vodka is distilled from fermented grains or starches such as wheat, rye, corn or potatoes. The goal during production is purity. Vodka goes through multiple rounds of distillation and filtration, often using charcoal, to remove impurities and flavour compounds. The end result is a clean spirit made primarily of ethanol and water, with minimal variation in taste between brands.
How is gin made?
Gin begins life much like vodka, using a neutral base spirit. The key difference comes next. This base spirit is infused or redistilled with botanicals, with juniper being essential. Distillers carefully select and balance these ingredients to create a signature flavour. This is why gins can taste dramatically different from one another, even if they start with a similar base.
Which one should you choose?
If you prefer subtle, smooth drinks where mixers shine, vodka is usually the safer choice. If you enjoy layered flavours and aromatic cocktails like a gin and tonic or a negroni, gin is likely to suit you better.
So the next time you’re handed a clear drink, take a moment before sipping. That piney kick or clean finish can tell you exactly which spirit you’re holding and save you from confusing the two again.
