Gin

 Adapted from Wikipedia and licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License:

 Gin is a spirit made by distilling or redistilling rye or other grain spirits and adding juniper berries and often other aromatic ingredients.

The most common style of gin, typically used for mixed drinks, is London dry gin. London dry gin is made by taking a neutral grain spirit (usually produced in a column still) and redistilling after the botanicals are added. In addition to juniper, it is usually made with a small amount of citrus botanicals like lemon and bitter orange peel. Other botanicals that may be used include anise, angelica root and seed, orris root, licorice root, cinnamon, coriander, and cassia bark.

Other types of distilled gin include jonge- and oude- Jenever or Genever (young and old Dutch gin), Plymouth gin, and Old Tom gin. (Sloe gin isn't actually gin, but a liqueur.)

A well-made gin will be relatively dry compared to other spirits. Gin is often mixed in with sweeter ingredients like tonic water or vermouth to balance this dryness; it is the base spirit for many popular mixed drinks, including the martini.