Is Gin Just Flavoured Vodka? The Real Difference, Straight From the Still

We hear one question at our bar almost every weekend: “Isn’t gin just flavoured vodka?” Both spirits start life the same way, but the flavour comes from where they part ways.

We’re a small, family-run distillery in North Melbourne, and our copper pot still, Eliza Jane, makes both gin and vodka. We see the difference between gin and vodka up close every day. Below, we explain how distillers make each spirit, how they taste and which bottle suits your next drink.

The Short Answer: Gin Is Vodka With a Point of View

Gin and vodka start as a clear, neutral spirit that distillers make from fermented grain, grapes, sugar cane or potatoes. Vodka stays clean and neutral, while gin takes on botanicals, with juniper leading the way. In a sense, gin starts where vodka finishes; calling it “flavoured vodka” undersells the craft.

Think of vodka as a blank canvas, where distillers chase purity and smoothness. Gin is the painting: the botanicals are the colours, and every distillery mixes its own palette.

In Australia, the Food Standards Code treats gin and vodka as spirits, which must contain at least 37% alcohol. The Code doesn’t define gin in detail; it simply requires each spirit to have the taste and aroma people expect. In practice, that means juniper for gin, and most Australian distillers, including us, keep juniper front and centre. Europe goes further, legally requiring juniper to be gin’s predominant flavour.

How Distillers Make Vodka

Distillers make vodka by fermenting a base ingredient, distilling it to a high strength, then filtering and diluting it with water. The aim is a smooth, clean spirit with very little aroma. Good vodka still has character, though; the base ingredient and water come through, especially when you sip it neat.

Fermentation and distillation

It all begins with a wash, where yeast feeds on the sugars in the base ingredient and produces alcohol. The distiller then runs the wash through the still, often several times; each pass strips impurities and lifts the strength.

Filtering and finishing

Many producers filter vodka through charcoal for a cleaner finish, then add water to bring it down to bottling strength. The result carries other flavours without fighting them, which is why vodka became a cocktail staple.

How Distillers Make Gin

Gin starts with a neutral spirit, like vodka; distillers then redistil it with botanicals to capture their flavours and aromas. Juniper must lead, while citrus, spices, herbs, roots and flowers round out the recipe. This is where each gin earns its personality.

Juniper comes first

Juniper berries give gin its signature piney, resinous character; without juniper, it simply isn’t gin. Most recipes build around it with coriander seed, angelica root, orris root and citrus peel.

Three ways to add botanicals

Distillers generally choose one of three methods:

• Steeping: botanicals soak in the spirit before the distiller redistils it
• Vapour infusion: botanicals sit in a basket and the rising vapour picks up their oils
• Compounding: the producer blends botanical flavours into the spirit without redistilling

In our experience, pot-distilled gin has more depth and texture; compound gins can taste good, but they’re usually less layered.

How we do it in North Melbourne

Every drop we make runs through Eliza Jane, and alongside juniper we use a blend of native Australian botanicals. Our Yam Daisy Gin and Wild Rose Gin show how far a botanical recipe can take a spirit. You can explore the full range in our online shop.

Gin vs Vodka: Taste, Aroma and Texture

In practice, taste is the biggest difference between gin and vodka. Vodka is clean and subtle, with a soft texture and gentle sweetness. Gin is aromatic and layered, with juniper upfront and supporting notes of citrus, spice or florals. If vodka is a whisper, gin is a full conversation.

What vodka tastes like

Sipped neat, quality vodka can taste slightly sweet, creamy or peppery. Wheat-based vodkas often feel softer, while potato vodkas tend to be fuller and rounder. The differences are subtle, and that’s the whole point.

What gin tastes like

Gin varies far more between bottles; a classic London Dry is crisp and juniper-heavy. Contemporary styles let other botanicals take the spotlight, and Australian gins lean into natives like lemon myrtle, pepperberry and wattleseed. Two gins can taste completely different and still stay true to the style, which makes gin tasting so much fun.

Is Gin or Vodka Healthier?

Neither gin nor vodka is meaningfully healthier than the other; at the same strength, they carry similar alcohol and kilojoules. The mixer makes the real difference. Gin with soda water is lighter than gin with sugary tonic, and the same goes for vodka.

An Australian standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol, whichever spirit you pour. Unsweetened gin and vodka contain little to no sugar. The national alcohol guidelines recommend healthy adults have no more than 10 standard drinks a week. We’re firm believers in drinking less, but better.

Is Gin Stronger Than Vodka?

Gin isn’t automatically stronger than vodka; most bottles of either sit between about 37% and 47% alcohol by volume. Some styles, like Navy Strength gin, go much higher. Strength varies more between brands than between the two spirits, so always check the label.

Gin can feel stronger because of its bold aroma, while vodka’s softness makes it seem gentler at the same strength.

Can You Swap Vodka for Gin in Cocktails?

Sometimes, yes; vodka can stand in for gin when you want a cleaner, softer drink. The trade-off is character, because gin’s botanicals shape the whole cocktail. A Negroni made with vodka loses its backbone, and a vodka martini is a different drink, not a lesser one.

Gin anchors some classics: the Negroni, the Tom Collins and the Gimlet all rely on juniper meeting citrus or bitterness. Our Errol Street Negroni range shows how much gin brings to the glass. Vodka shines in the Espresso Martini, the Moscow Mule and the Bloody Mary. For more inspiration, browse our cocktail recipes page and try a few at home.

A good gin for vodka drinkers

If vodka is usually your drink, start with a softer contemporary gin with citrus or floral notes. Pour it with soda and a slice of fruit, or ask us at the cellar door for a taste.

Taste the Difference for Yourself in North Melbourne

The best way to understand gin vs vodka is to taste them side by side, or make your own. In our gin making masterclass, you’ll watch a neutral spirit transform as your botanicals go in. It’s the clearest answer we know to the “flavoured vodka” question.

During the class, your guide helps you choose botanicals and build your own recipe. You’ll run it through your own mini still and take home a 500ml bottle of your Signature Gin. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a guided tasting of our full range and a cheeseboard to share. It’s a popular choice for birthdays, book clubs and catch-ups with friends.

Book a gin making masterclass online, or visit the distillery for a tasting at our bar.

So, Is Gin Just Flavoured Vodka?

Technically, gin starts there, but the botanicals, the still and the distiller’s hand turn it into something else entirely. Vodka gives you purity, gin gives you personality, and both deserve a spot on your shelf.

Ready to taste the difference? Book a gin making masterclass, shop our spirits online, or join the Crew for a new spirit adventure every month. If this cleared things up, share it with the friend who always orders “just a vodka”. Here’s looking at you, kid.