You need: Some clear spirit Some type of plants Mix them together Leave them a couple of days Filter them through a coffee filter Leave for a couple of days (preferably chilled)

This makes what is known as "bathtub" gin, which is not distilled gin, unlike commercial gin, which is usually distilled after steeping with botanicals.

You can try anything, but you must use juniper. Coriander is also classically added to English gin. Angelica or orris root are another couple of good botanicals to add to gin. A small amount of licorice also helps. Aside that, you can put basically anything into gin. The only thing I've discovered that is vile is oregano. Pepper is very nice.

Is this legal?

Depending on where you are, this varies. It is obviously illegal in Saudi Arabia for example.

Distilling alcohol without a license is illegal in Canada under the Excise Act 2001. Also you can't sell alcohol yourself unless you're the liquor control board or are authorized to do so by them. So don't if you want to stay legal, don't distil alcohol and don't sell it and you're fine.

So if you stick to bathtub gin, and make it for yourself, you're fine.

How do I distill?

You don't, if you get it wrong it tends to go boom and/or blind people. Distilling stuff is really dangerous. Don't do it. I'm a post-doctoral trained biochemist with plenty of laboratory experience with nasty stuff and I wouldn't do it. Unless you really know what you're doing, don't do it.

Also it's illegal without a license.

What do I serve gin with?

I like a gin and tonic. Top a tall glass with ice (my dad always makes nice big gin and tonics when I visit my parents), add a couple of fingers of gin to the glass. Add a squeeze of lime juice. Top with tonic water.

For the tonic, I strongly recommend Fever Tree, which is delicious.

You can also make a martini, but there's something or other about how as gin got better during the 20th century martinis got drier because the rubbish taste didn't need to be covered up with vermouth. Not that your gin will be rubbish, but your homemade gin is not going to be a delicious and sophisticated clean gin made by professionals that would make an excellent martini.