‘Tis the season to celebrate and cosy up with your favourite people and perhaps even some of your relatives (just kidding 🙂 The best way to make everyone fill up with good cheer is to serve great food and speciality drinks. Now, before you scoff and claim you are not a mixologist, check out these 5 easy and elegant gin based cocktails with a twist or two.
First, here is an exceptionally brief but relevant history of gin. Gin gets its name from the Dutch word for Juniper which is Genever (apparently that sounds like Gin). This special little berry gives Gin its special and intoxicating fragrance and flavour. Okay enough history, let’s get current.
Cocktail #1: Tom Collins with a Twist
This cocktail will impress the best as long as you don’t tell them it took a few minutes to create. Much like a traditional Tom Collins, it features gin, lemon, sugar syrup, and carbonated soda. Now here, comes the twist (suspenseful pause) add elderflower to add an exciting floral note.
The elderflower has a similar flavour to lychee with floral undertones. Yeah, it’s amazing.
Gin 50 ml (try an exotic jasmine-infused London Gin like Barentsz)
Lemon Juice 20ml
Sugar Syrup 10ml
Elderflower Cordial 10ml (make your own to really wow the guests)
Bonus Twist: Make it a Frenchie and add grapefruit juice
Cocktail #2: The Gimlet
Okay besides the fact that the name sounds like you are insulting someone, this drink is easy and fun. Gin based cocktails are great because they look extravagant and yet often are whipped up in a matter of minutes. Our friend, Gimlet, is no exception.
The ½ gin and ½ lime juice combo take a second to shake and can handle multiple twists.
Here are a few of my favourite spins on this classic.
- Pineapple (add some smoky Mezcal, an agave liquor)
- Rhubarb (this with lime…too delish)
- Honey (instead of sugar, makes the Bee’s Knees)
Cocktail #3: Scarlet & Purple
Okay, quick disclaimer this does have more than 3 ingredients but to be fair it is such a showstopper it’s worth the few extra minutes.
Here’s the how-to:
Take your favourite gin and add Lillet-Blanc (a wine that has honey, mint, pine, and citrus notes)
Now that you are feeling extra, pause for a moment and take a selfie.
Back to drinks.
Lavender syrup, lime juice, and lychee finish this purple beauty off perfectly.
Shake (rattle and roll) then add smug garnishes like a sprig of lavender and serve in some fancy glassware.
Cocktail #4: An Autumn Fizz
This would not be a list of gin based cocktails if I didn’t have at least one with thyme. Perfect for the fall or winter, this cocktail is one of the best cocktails with gin I have ever sipped daintily.
For this golden treat, shake 2 ounces of gin, with a splash of lemon juice, agave nectar, and some sparkling apple cider. A slice of apple and thyme add fragrance and depth to this autumn treat.
Infused Gins
Here is a fun way to impress your friends with incredible cocktails that are NOT actually cocktails but instead are gins that have been infused with exciting and wild flavours. Here is what you will need:
Gin (duh) then add the following botanicals to a mason jar shake and leave for a few days:
- Angelica Root
- Basil
- Cucumber
- Cinnamon
- Citrus
- Vanilla
- Oregano
- Blackberry
- Mango
- Coriander Seeds
- Almonds
- Lemongrass
- Ginger
Then Strain, Serve and Drink.
Each botanical affects your palate and nose in different and exciting ways. From the sweet notes of almond and vanilla to bright citrus notes and exotic base notes. If this doesn’t impress your friends its time to get new ones (okay, that might be a little rash)
And, now back to our regularly scheduled program of easy gin cocktails.
Cocktail #5: A Cup of Tea
This is not your nan’s tea this is a “Damn Good Cup of Tea” featuring a gin infused with Earl Grey, lemon juice, St. Germain (made of Elderflowers), vanilla, and some ginger syrup.
Add it all together and shake, shake, shake.
Why Earl Grey you ask? Good question. Earl grey has an amazing flavour profile that plays off of a great London gin perfectly. With its citrus notes from the Bergamot tree, this tea when steeped creates an incredible fragrance and taste. Paired with a gin like Barentsz that is infused with mandarin and jasmine, this cup of tea will knock your socks off.
Wrap Up
When it comes to throwing a lavish party or an intimate dinner for two, cocktails are a great way to unwind and let loose. Gin based cocktails are so versatile that you can whip up easy gin cocktails in no time. The above list are just a few of the best gin cocktails so be sure to search for others. If you are feeling extra adventurous don’t be afraid of creating your own cocktail keeping in mind what pairs best with gin. Enjoy and don’t forget to invite me to your next cocktail party.
