> Which alcohol is made primarily from juniper berries?And the answer: gin.Photo credit: tastingtable.com[https://www.tastingtable.com/443632/cocktails-to-try-if-you-like-drinking-gin/].Gin is a distilled, colorless-to-pale yellow liquor made from purified spirits,usually obtained from grain mash, and with juniper berries as the principalflavoring ingredient. The name of the drink comes from the French word forjuniper berry, genièvre, altered by the Dutch to genever, and shortened by theEnglish to gin.Most gins start their life as a neutral, grain spirit, much like vodka. Theflavoring of juniper creates the distinct gin taste, which is actually apractice that dates back to around 70 AD. Juniper berries were often added towine for their restorative properties and health benefits throughout the world,and especially in the Netherlands. It wasn't until the 16th century, though,that the Dutch began to produce a spirit called genever— a far closer companionto what we know as modern day gin. The drink was malt wine and juniper berries(used to mask its harsh taste), and although it was considered a "medicinalliquid" like all other spirits, it quickly began to evolve with new popularity. In the late 1600s, an era now known as the Gin Craze quickly took hold ofEngland. King William III imposed a series of tariffs and bans on French wineand Cognac in an attempt to weaken the French economy, while simultaneouslyinstituting the Corn Laws in England. Much like they sound, the Corn Lawsprovided tax breaks on all spirit production, and distilling skyrocketed.Ultimately, the new laws made it so a pint of gin was cheaper than a pint ofbeer. By the time the British government reimplemented regulations on the new spirit,the Gin Craze had taken a toll. Gin created with anything from sawdust toturpentine was sold from backdoor vendors, and the risks involved with consuminggin seemed extensive. During the 18th century, gin was a vilified spirit, andblamed for the death of thousands across England. Then came the Gin Act of 1751:a parliamentary measure intended to crack down on spirits consumption. The actraised taxes and fees for retailers while making licenses more difficult to comeby. Finally in 1830, gin experienced its redemption. A new (and safer) way todistill gin brought renewed interest to the spirit, and distilleries slowlybegan to return in England. Today, gin is one of the most well-loved liquorsaround the world.