The gin category has grown exponentially over the past few years, which inevitable makes it harder to find truly excellent options with so much competition. Once defined by a handful of classic styles, the gin boom has brought with it a whole new wave of popular styles, encompassing everything from citrus-led crowd-pleasers to savoury, herbaceous and experimental bottles now fighting for space on shelves. There’s absolutely no shortage of choice when it comes to choosing the best gin, but often not enough clarity.At its core, gin is a neutral spirit flavoured with botanicals. Juniper is legally required to lead the profile, but beyond that producers have a huge amount of freedom to experiment. Some lean heavily into tradition, offering dry pine-forward styles, while others push into softer, even fruitier territory designed for easy drinking The best gin manages to balance personality with versatility, offering enough structure to hold up in cocktails while still being enjoyable sipped neat.For this guide, I’ve tested a broad selection of gins across different styles and price points, focusing on bottles that genuinely earn their place in a home bar. Whether you’re mixing drinks for guests or looking for something more considered to sip on its own, these are the best gins worth buying right now.Read more: Best whiskies, testedEach gin was assessed across multiple serves and settings to understand how it performs best (Jonathan Hatchman/The Independent)The best gins for 2026 are: Best overall – No.3 London dry gin: £38.15, Amazon.co.ukBest budget – That Boutique-y Gin Company proper pink gin: £26.95, Masterofmalt.comBest for entertaining – Bathtub gin: £33.50, Sainsburys.co.ukBest premium – Witchmark black lime single origin gin: £44.92, Amazon.co.ukBest London dry – The Wiltshire Distilling Company English Heritage London dry gin: £37.95, Masterofmalt.com Read more: Best bourbon whiskeys, tested