At a certain point in liquor’s history, ordering a gin and tonic meant receiving a glass filled with ice, a lemon, and a generic gin and mixer. Nowadays, there are a plethora of options gin-wise, so the spirit is really moving up in popularity. With the emergence of boutique distillers producing handcrafted, small-batch gins, the liquor has recently been booming in the cocktail and bar markets. And a handcrafted gin calls for a handcrafted tonic; do you see the plethora of options arising here?
Unlike vodka, gin has a unique and purer taste, making it much more appealing to drink. And when compared to whiskey, gin is certainly easier to drink. The elements of the spirit make it a refreshing choice with a crisp, vibrant taste and flavors originating from juniper, citrus and an array of herbal botanicals. But not every gin tastes the same, especially those small-batch bottles. Depending on the herbs and spices used, each brand of gin will have a unique taste and smell, which is ideal when contributing to the flavors of various cocktails. There are two different styles of gin, one having a more classic, earthy, juniper based flavor (i.e. Beefeater, Tanqueray) while the other has more floral attributes (i.e. Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick’s). Regardless of which category you choose from, we assume you’ll end up going with a gin that fits your needs; if not, indulge in these recipes that will further convince you of gin’s mighty comeback.
The Original 1888 Martini: (1 serving)
- 50 mL dry gin
- 50 mL sweet vermouth
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 2 mL absinthe
- Maraschino cherry
Stir gin and vermouth together over ice and strain into a chilled Martini glass. Add the orange bitters and absinthe on top. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Recipe found on wsj.com
Cucumber Gin Cooler: (1 serving)
- 1.5 oz. gin
- 4-6 cucumber slices
- ¼ lime
- 4 oz. tonic water
- 6 mint leaves
- 1 Tbsp. sugar (optional)
- tonic water
In a shaker, add mint, lime, gin and sugar (if using) and muddle. Add cucumber slices and shake well. Pour concoction over ice-filled glass and top with tonic water. Stir and let sit for a few minutes to let flavors sink in.
Recipe found on minimalistbaker.com
Plymouth Gin and Tonic: (1 serving)
- 3 strawberries
- 1/8 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 ½ oz. gin
- 4 oz. tonic water
In a shaker, muddle 2 strawberries and 1/8 tsp. ground black paper. Pour into an ice-filled glass. Stir in 1 ½ oz. gin. Top with 4 oz. tonic and garnish with a strawberry.
Recipe found on saveur.com