World Gin day
It's summertime. Stow away the dark, heavy spirits in the back of your liquor cabinet and get out the power summer spirit: gin. Whether it's a classic like the Negroni or a simple, refreshing Gin & Tonic, gin adapts to the flavour profile that suits you best. This aromatic spirit is perfect for the warmer months, but how much do you really know about it?
Calling all gin lovers: this week marks the annual celebration of your favourite drink. With this momentous event set to take place on 11th June, we've put together a comprehensive guide that serves as a botanically-charged crash course to help you make the most of it.
dId you know?
Gin can be distilled from almost anything, including grain, fruit, potatoes or grapes. What makes this popular spirit special, however, is the predominant use of juniper, which must be included in the blend of botanicals that flavour this important cocktail ingredient. Gin, a descendant of the Dutch spirit genever, has been around for centuries. Once known as "mother's ruin", gin is now enjoying a renaissance, with distilleries large and small producing different styles such as London Dry, Barrel-Aged and New Western.
How to make A perfect GIN ?
ENGLISH MEADOW
Cambridge Dry Gin is both elegant and refined, best served with Indian tonic water and garnished with fresh mint.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 50 ml Camdridge Dry Gin
- 125 ml Indian Tonic Water
- 2-3 Leaves Fresh Mint
TRUFFLE NEGRONI
With its extremely long finish, Truffle Gin can be enjoyed neat or over ice and, for the cocktails lovers, as part of a decadent Truffle Negroni.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 30 ml Cambridge Truffle Gin
- 20 ml Campari
20 ml
- Sweet Vermouth
7.5 ml
- Crème De Cassis
- 1 Leaf Sage
GARGOYLE
Like a gargoyle on a cathedral keeps away bad spirits, this cocktail encourages a good time.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 44 ml Gothic Gin
- 51 ml sweet and sour
- 4 fresh cucumber slices (diced)
- 4-5 fresh mint leaves
- Sprite.
HOW TO MAKE IT
Muddle cucumber and mint in pint glass. Fill pint glass with ice to top (muddled items at bottom). Add. Gothic Ultra-Premium Gin and sweet and sour. Shake hard and dump into Collins glass. Top with sprite and garnish with mint sprig.
CIAO MALFY SPRITZ
When life gives you lemons, grab Malfy Gin con Limone, for a taste of aperitivo hour on the Amalfi Coast.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 35ml Malfy Gin con Limone
- 50 San Peligrino aranciata
- 50ml Prosecco
Blueberries, lemon wheel & basil sprig
HOW TO MAKE IT?
Build ingredients in a glass over cubed ice and gently stir to combine. Garnish with some blueberries, a lemon wheel & a sprig of basil.
CUCUMBER LEMONADE
Cucumber Lemonade with Gin is the party starter you've been craving this summer. You'll never look at lemonade the same way again after a glass of this concoction!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 1 part Gin d'Azur
- 1 part Lemon juice
- 1 part Maple syrup
- 3 parts Soda water
- Thin cucumber slices
HOW TO MAKE IT
Mix all those ingredients together using a highball that is filled with ice cubes. Stir it lightly before serving. Use 3 or four thin cucumber slices to garnish this tasty cocktail.
SASHA SAYS:
"The idea is simple: get people together from all over the world and toast the brilliant spirit that is GIN! Whether you are in the mood for classic cocktails like martinis or gin & tonics or want to make something adventurous, there's a gin out there for you. Let us celebrate this wonderful juniper-laced spirit in all of its glory!"