Today is World Gin Day!
I’ve never been a big fan of this spirit – I grew up with the green bottle of Tanqueray forever present on my Mom’s living room bar – but in honor of the day, I’m willing to give it a try again. I might go for something with a smoother finish and hopefully much less of a Christmas tree-like taste.
Gin is distilled first then re-distilled with a very unique blend of spices and botanicals, specifically juniper. Yes, juniper, your all-purpose Christmas Tree. Ugh! Anyway, Thrillist has a Gin 101 online guide for more information.
Cocktails
As you should know by now, I love my cocktails, so here is one classic recipe with a twist from Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen that might satisfy me.
Gin and Tonic
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Bombay Sapphire gin
- 4 ounces Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic
- Plenty of ice cubes
- A slice of cucumber
Pour all ingredients in a glass and stir.
Gin and Tonic
If the Elderflower (or other flavored) Tonic removes that yucky tree taste then I might be tempted to re-try these other classic cocktails.
Sloe Gin Fizz
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces sloe gin
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 ounces simple syrup
- club soda
Steps
- Add all the ingredients except the club soda into a shaker with ice and shake.
- Strain into a highball or Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with the club soda.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge and a cherry.
Sloe Gin Fizz
Tom Collins
Ingredients
- 2 oz. gin
- ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz. simple syrup
- Seltzer or soda water
Steps
- Combine the gin, lemon juice and syrup in an ice-filled Tom Collins glass and stir.
- Top off with seltzer water.
- Garnish with lemon slice and cherry.
Tom Collins
Classic Dry Martini
Ingredients
- Cracked ice
- 2.5 ounces London dry gin, such as Beefeater
- 1/2 ounce dry vermouth, preferably Noilly Prat
Steps
- In mixing glass or cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine gin and vermouth.
- Stir well, about 30 seconds, then strain into martini glass.
- Garnish with olive or lemon twist and serve.
Classic Dry Martini
This one I would love to perfect at home! My memory always conjures up the famous words “shaken, not stirred” from one of my favorite fictional characters, James Bond, whenever I hear a martini mentioned.
Food
Oooh and when I find a spirit-laced food recipe that interests or intrigues me, I’m going to include it in my posts and here is one that has my mouth watering…
Gin n’ Lime Popcorn
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup of white sugar
- 6 cups plain, unflavored popcorn, popped: either air pop or microwaved will work
- 1 Tablespoon butter, unsalted
- 3 Tablespoons water
- 4 Tablespoons preferred gin (Pick a gin with nice, strong botanicals and avoid navy strength gins)
- 1 wedge of lime
- Salt to taste
The preparation and instructions for this snack can be found online at Gin Is In.
Gin n’ Lime Popcorn
Enjoy!
Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these at home.
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