So You Don’t Like Gin?
5 gin cocktails that will change your mind.
For too many people, their grandpa’s gin and tonic or some awful frat party drink resulted in a bad taste for gin. But wait! Gin is nothing more than a flavored vodka! It’s made from the same base alcohol as vodka but INFUSED with awesome plants, herbs, spices and other ingredients that result in some really amazing flavors. The drinks below use varied gin styles and flavor profiles. The drinks are listed from least gin taste to most gin taste. Work your way there!
Watermelon Gin and Tonic - This very basic gin and tonic modification (shown above) includes 2 oz gin (Ha’Penny Rhubarb is shown but Tangueray works just as well), 1.5 oz fresh watermelon juice (about 5 chunks well muddled and strained), and 1 oz lemon juice. Shake with ice and strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Top with tonic (Fevertree is the best) and garnish with a lemon slice and mint sprig or chunk of watermelon. You won’t even taste the gin!
Gingered Gin - Super simple cocktail with equal measures of three ingredients. 1 ounce Barr Hill honey gin, 1 ounce Domaine Canton liqueur*, 1 ounce lemon juice. Shake with ice, strain and serve in a chilled coupe glass. *Note this item is expensive - save your money and switch the liqueur for 1 ounce of homemade ginger syrup (see syrups recipes on another page), 2 ounces of gin and 1 ounce lemon juice.
French 75 - For those who like bubbly and think they hate gin, you will change your mind when you try this. Shake 1-2 ounces St. George or other fragrant botanical gin, 3/4 ounce lemon juice and 3/4 ounce (or less) simple syrup in a full shaker of ice. Strain into a chilled flute and top with 2-3 ounces of sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon rind twist.
Corpse Reviver #2 - Warning this is a strong drink but doesn’t taste like it and includes expensive ingredients. Many bartenders don’t know how to make it but you might try it in a bar before buying the ingredients for home. One ounce each: Roku Japanese Gin (or other botanical), Cointreau (or other orange liqueur/curacao), Lillet Blanc, and lemon juice. Swirl 2-3 drops of absinthe in a coupe or Nick and Nora glass. Shake all other ingredients with ice and strain into the coupe. No garnish needed but a Luxardo cherry is a nice touch! Sip slowly.
The Vesper - The drink made famous in a James Bond movie - you can shake or stir but be prepared to take your time to enjoy - it’s boozy! Dry or Plymouth style gin, high quality vodka (like Grey Goose or Belvedere), and Lillet Blanc are shaken or stirred with ice and a few drops of orange bitters. Strain and serve in a martini style glass with a lemon twist.