As a flavored spirit, the gin is distilled with botanicals, mostly juniper, coriander seeds and citrus peel. If you keep the stopper, your gin will last, but if you leave a pourer in the bottle, then consider it “angel’s share”. Due to evaporation some of the liquid will disappear.
The popularity of gin is growing fast lately, even though it has been a standard in bars starting from the 18th century. It is an extremely interesting liquor to explore. The botanicals give it unique attributes that distinct gin from other liquors, but also one brand can have totally different flavor from another.
Most famous gin-based Cocktails
Here are some of the essential gin cocktails, some more popular than the others, but equally good. The fun thing about gin is that it comes as a natural option for easy drinks with fascinating flavors. As the following drinks will show, gin is best mixed with one or two flavors. The range of strength and flavors is covered for whatever you are looking for.
Classic Gin Martini
Let’s start with the fact that a real Martini requires gin. The simplicity of the structure is what gives the Martini’s glory. So, if you want to make the Classic Gin Martini, you don’t need much. Gin and dry vermouth, mixed in proportions as you prefer, stirred not shaken. The recipe is very simple and the best part is that you can feel free to customize it as you enjoy it the best. Serve it at its coldest.
· 60ml dry gin (optional)
· Dry vermouth (to taste)
Put ice in a mixing glass. Add vermouth, just have in mind that the more vermouth you will pour, more herbal the cocktail will be. Stir for a few seconds and add the gin. Stir thoroughly and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon or orange curl, olives or pickled onions, the choice is all yours.
“Copyright: Unsplash/author:Johan Trasch / I License: CC0 Public Domain”
French 75
If you want to live up the party or simply to keep it going, all you need is French 75. Not the gun, of course. It is a classic festive cocktail, a bubbly and elegant combination made of gin, lemon juice and Champagne (instead of club soda), probably named after 75mms field gun from World War I. Refreshing and herbal and very easy to prepare.
· 40 ml dry gin
· 25 ml fresh lemon juice
· 15 ml sugar syrup
· Champagne
Put the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup in a shaker filled with ice. Shake it well and then strain in a Champagne flute. Add chilled Champagne, stir gently and garnish with a long lemon peel and a cocktail cherry. And you got yourself a drink to celebrate!
Negroni
This mix was created in Florence, Italy in the 1920s. It is believed that it takes 3 Negronis (not in a row, though) to realize that you like this cocktail. Its structure is filled with bitter-sweet flavors and herbal notes, truly refreshing. It’s composed of gin, Campari and vermouth.
· 25 ml gin
· 25 ml Campari
· 25 ml sweet vermouth
Put ice in a mixing glass. Add the gin, Campari and vermouth and stir to combine them well. Then stir in a chilled rock glass. Twist orange over the drink and garnish with it.
Gimlet
Its origins are unknown, but it is believed that this drink was created for sailors to fight scurvy. A sweet and sour combination made of gin and lime cordial. Gimlet is a simple and refreshing cocktail, very easy to make.
· 60 ml gin
· 25 ml lime juice
· 10 ml sugar syrup
Combine gin, lime juice and sugar syrup in a shaker. Shake it well, but gently. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with lime wedge. It is meant to be enjoyed slowly, by sipping it in order to feel the beauty of its simplicity.
“Copyright: Unsplash/author:Sandra Seitamaa / I License: CC0 Public Domain”
Sloe Gin Fizz
Sloe gin is liquor made with gin and sloe (blackthorn) and sugar. Sloe gin fizz is the most complexed drink out of these 5. But still, it is easy to make. Only you will need to shake it really well. It is known as a perfect combination for Champagne and a bubbly relative of Tom Collins (if you are a fan).
· 50 ml sloe gin
· 20 ml fresh lemon juice
· 15 ml sugar syrup
· 20 ml egg white
· Champagne
Add the sloe gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white in a shaker and dry-shake it, meaning no ice, for about 10 seconds. Add ice cubes and shake it well. Then double-strain into a glass filled with ice and top up with Champagne. Gently stir. Decorate with a rosemary sprig above or garnish with mint and blueberries.
It’s all about Gin!
Whether you are a gin lover or not, this 5 cocktails will definitely reach your senses. So, you like gin, just maybe you don’t know it yet.
