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.
![](https://selfishmetravel.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gin-and-Tonic-3-charlottes-lively-kitchen--500x500.jpg)
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.
![](https://selfishmetravel.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sloe-gin-fizz-2-500x500.jpg)
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.
![](https://selfishmetravel.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/classic-tom-collins-500x281.jpg)
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.
![](https://selfishmetravel.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ClassicMartini-2-500x333.jpg)
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.
![](https://selfishmetravel.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/GinPopCorn-635x445-1-500x350.jpg)
Gin n’ Lime Popcorn
Enjoy!
Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these at home.
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