If you enjoy a tall glass of gin Gordon’s is the one that you will definitely love. Gordon’s is a brand of London Dry Gin and is mainly produced in United Kingdom. This gin is also produced under license in Canada, New Zealand and many other former British territories and dominions. The top market for Gordon’s has been identified as Greece, Africa, Us and UK.

Gordon’s gin was established in 1979 by a Scotsman by the name of Alexander Gordon and is now owned by Diageo Plc, a multinational alcohol company. Alexander Gordon developed this spirit in a distillery in the Southwark area. Later this distillery moved to Clerkenwell in 1786.

The recipe that Alexander Gordon developed for his company was called the Special London Dry Gin. This mix was hugely successful and the recipe for this gin mix has gone unchanged to this day. The recipe of Gordon’s gin is known only to twelve people across the globe and has been one of the best kept secrets for over 250 years.

Gordon’s gin has a distinctive green bottle in which it is sold in the United Kingdom. In other countries it is sold in the original clear bottle. If it is at airport duty free store where you look to buy your gin, Gordon’s will be found in 75cl plastic bottles. What makes this gin so distinctive is its unique flavor. The gin here is triple distilled and has a heady juniper berry flavor. It also has additional notes of coriander seeds, angelica roots and a few other botanicals.

Gin from Gordon’s is sold in the market in many different strengths. In 1992 in UK the ABV of Gordon’s gin was reduced from 40% to 37%. While most view it as a stance to bring Gordon’s in line with some of the other white spirits such as white rum, vodka, etc but in reality this was a move to save some precious pennies.

However in the US the 40% version of Gordons is sold. In other European countries you can also find a bottle of Gordon’s that boasts of the strength of 47.3%.

Along with the original gin Gordons produces, they have also gone on to add aromatic gin or sloe gin to its main product line. This variant is known as the Distillers Cut. Apart from gin Gordons also has ventured into making vodka, has two types of alcopops called Space and Spark and a pre mixed gin and tonic.

They also went on to make products such as the Old Tom Gin and several other flavored gins such as Orange Gin and Lemon Gin.

They also tried their hand at pre mixed shakers cocktails such as Piccadilly, Dry Martini mixes, Fifty Fifty mixes, Bronx and Manhattan, Perfect etc.

Gordons also tried its hand at making rum and came up with a product line called the Finest Old Jamaican Rum. They also made Orange Bitters that were made from the exotic Seville Oranges.

However, these diversions from their main product line of gin were discontinued. But when it came to gin Gordon’s was so legendary that it found a specific mention in Ian Flemings James Bond book Casino Royal where it was mentioned by name for the recipe of the Vesper Cocktail.

The Gin Game was a hugely successful two act play that premiered at the American Theatre Arts in Hollywood in the year 1976. Written by DL Coburn, this play was directed by Kip Niven and was the first production of the theatre and of the writer as well.

The play was hugely successful and also opened on Broadway in October 1977. This play ran 517 performances at the John Golden Theatre. The Broadway version of the Gin Game was directed by Mike Nicholas and featured Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn.

So appreciated was this play that it toured the United States and ran packed houses in cities such as Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. This play also fetched Jessica Tandy a Tony award for the best actress in a play category.

The Gin Game was revived years after in 1997 in Broadway. It was presented at the Lyceum Theatre and ran for 145 performances and again went on to get Tony nomination for Best Play Revival, Leading Actress in a Play and for Best Play direction. So popular was this play that it saw a run at the Savoy Theatre in the United Kingdom in 1999 as well.

The Gin Game went on to become a popular television serious starring yesteryear star Dick Van Dyke. Sick van Dyke essayed the role of the gin playing Weller Martin. He has a number of awards under his belt such as a Tony award for his performance in the musical Bye Bye Birdie and consistent Emmy nominations for his television show the Dick Van Dyke Show.

Mary Tyler Moore played the role of Fonsia Dorsey, the new nursing home resident in the play. She has had a long association with Dick Van Dyke as she was a part of the Dick Van Dyke Show from 196- -66. Her role of Laura Petrie in the Dick Van Dyke show earned her two Emmy Awards. She won her Tony award for essaying the role of a quadriplegic in the Broadway show “Whose Life Is It Anyway?”

The plot of the Gin Game is fairly simple. The play sees two residents at a senior citizens nursing home striking up an acquaintance. While neither of the main protagonists, named Fonsia Dorsey and Weller Martin, have other friends, they seem to enjoy the company of one another with a quiet ease. Weller takes upon himself the task of teaching Fonsia the game of gin rummy. Frustratingly enough, Fonsia learns the game and begins winning every single one of them much to the chagrin of Weller.

As Fonsia gets more and more confident at the game the play adopts a sub plot and begins exposing the complicated and twisted personal world through the conversations of the two protagonists. Both the protagonists through the game reveal their regret filled lives and gradually their need for comfort and solace is gratified by the others presence.

However as the game reaches a level of competitiveness, the conversations also don’t remain light anymore as each individual tries to project the others fault and weaknesses and belittling and humiliating one another for petty weaknesses. The play sees a terrible final confrontation between Weller and Fonsia caused by Wellers’ pent up anger and Fonsia’s constant needling.

Fixing a gin drink is no sky rocket science. Gin is a very drinker friendly drink as it blends very easily to make lip smacking and irresistible cocktails. In the 1920s gin really triumphed though for some reason it had become very scarce in 1914-18 world war. Gin is a darling drink of the rich and the famous and the Cunard cruises, as it a highly refreshing and cosmopolitan drink.

Gin became the most popular and wanted drink in all Cocktail parties – on land, on the sea and also in rich countries like the UK and the US. A very convenient drink to enjoy during blank times that is – after tea and before dinner.

London dry gin, which is known for its subtle and mild flavor and easy blending qualities, became the staple and basic ingredient for many stylish drinks. This includes our world known Martini.

Over the next two/three decades many cocktails were introduced bringing about excitement and sophistication to our dizzy society- who themselves were responsible for creating those varieties. 7000 cocktails were registered in1951 by the Bartenders’ Guild on their files – This is really thought provoking and reflects on its popularity. Gin was the most essential drink for entertainment and parties at home. Even today in modern times, no one can beat the refreshing drink – Gin and tonic.

The latest craze and fad for cocktails has opened up an entirely new arena for career for suitable young men and women who want to try their hands and culinary skills in blending, fixing, inventing and serving exquisite drinks to their patrons. These could also include the use of various fruit juices to give the drink a slightly different kick and taste. There is this new breed working as bartenders who are inventing and filling the market with popular cocktails – hats off to their mixing and blending skills!!

There are many different procedures for producing Gin. The Spirit drinks are governed by the European Community Regulation 110/2008 and they have three procedures, which are highly detailing and technical and of course time consuming also. Juniper berries is the most important ingredient which makes gins and London dry gin.

It is the Juniper berries that give the gin the distinctive aroma it possesses. Though first made in the country of Holland, Gin became popular in England by the English. The working class in England popularized the drink by its large consumption and they were the ones who introduced it to the Americans in the US. Now the majority of the gin sold in America is dry.

Since Gin is so popular for its blending properties – It has become an enjoyable and a very convenient drink for home entertainment. A gin recipe will make life more interesting , irrespective of where you are enjoying its preparation – You could come up with some gin game while you try making and drinking this new recipe.

Martin Miller’s Sugar & Spice

Martin Miller’s Gin 2 oz

Apple cider 2 oz

Fresh Orange 3/4 oz

Brown Sugar Syrup – A splash

Serve this gin recipe or gin cocktail in a Martini glass whose rim has been coated with cinnamon and superfine sugar mixture. Now have fun with it, even while you are Google chatting or net surfing, as then you could call it an online gin.

To enjoy a good gin cocktail all you have to do is combine a few ingredients in a cocktail shaker and get some ice. Gin is a white spirit that is used to make a cocktail. This spirit is produced from juniper berries and combined with spices, fruit and other botanicals to make a delicious drink. Originally it was produced as a medicinal tonic for health reasons but soon this white spirit became very popular as a “drink”.

A versatile spirit this alcohol can be naturally used in a vast number of drinks that range from subtle and sweet to strong and bitter. The best way to know which gin cocktail is the one for you, is to do a bit of “tasting” so that you get an idea of the different flavors. Before too long you will be able to zoom in on one that particularly appeals to you.

Some of the famous and popular gin cocktails are the Martini that is highly sophisticated and one of the best! While there are literally hundreds of different ways you can make a martini, the classic one is gin with a dash of dry vermouth. A bit of olive brine in this would make it a “dirty” martini. The classic “Gin and Tonic” is being known as one of the most popular drinks because of its unique flavor and taste.

Gimlet is another gin cocktail that is sweet but still packs a good punch. It is usually served with a dash of lime or even club soda. Gin cocktails like Tom Collins and the Long Island Iced Tea are infamous drinks that are on top of the list of excellent gin cocktails. The first is garnished with fruit and has a “sugared rim” and the second has not only gin but tequila, vodka, cola, triple sec etc in it which makes it sweet and sour!

Most people enjoy gin cocktails like “Hair of the Dog” that is said to cure your hangover! This reputation makes it worth a try! Made with gin, Tabasco sauce, lemon juice and chilli pepper it is said to be really fantastic. Singapore Sling is another gin cocktail that is “just right” because it is not very strong or sweet. A refreshing mix of cherry brandy, club soda and lemon juice it was invented in Singapore and hence the name.

If you are dying to try out some “new” gin cocktails then you should try the Alabama Summer and the Sloe Gin Fizz. While the former is pretty potent with equal parts of Southern Comfort, sloe gin, Galliano and Triple Sec with orange juice, the latter is a plum liqueur that is gin based and combined with simple syrup, soda, lemon juice and gin.

Gin cocktails are usually made from a grain base (rye or wheat) that is distilled and flavored with botanicals and juniper berries. The result is a clear spirit that packs a punch and mixes well to make fantastic and delicious cocktails. One of these gin cocktails is the “Twist thinks up with the Bronx” that was originally made in Philadelphia and is served with fresh orange and a cherry!

Today people find a gin cocktail refreshing and delicious. These cocktails are made by mixing a dry spirit like gin with sweet drinks like vermouth etc to balance its dryness. Gin is a spirit that is made from a combination of juniper berries, botanicals and spices that give it a unique and delicious aroma and taste. Produced originally as a tonic it was consumed for health reasons but later on because a popular “drink”.

A very large number of drinks that usually range from sweet to strong can be made by mixing gin in them. Finding the ideal gin cocktail would be easy once you have tasted a few of the brands available in the market. This is an easy way to find the perfect gin cocktail for you.

A gin cocktail is delicious and some of the more popular ones are the classic Martini that is a combination of vermouth with gin; the Allen which is made with lemon juice, gin and maraschino cherry; “The Last Word” which is a cocktail made with chartreuse, lime juice, gin and maraschino liqueur; “Salty Dog” made of grapefruit juice and gin; Singapore Sling that has cherry, pineapple, gin and lemon juice and Pink Gin which has a splash of angostura bitters.

Today it is said that the best gin cocktail is one that is made from wheat or rye grain base with a flavor of juniper berries and various botanicals that packs a punch! With the classic Martini you get refinement, simplicity and great taste. Served with an olive it can make a fantastic cocktail. Another gin cocktail that is traditional is the Tom Collins which is garnished with a cherry and mixed with gin, lemon juice, sugar and soda water.

“Twist things up with the Bronx” is a gin cocktail that was originally produced in Philadelphia. This drink is usually served with an orange slice, cherry and a heavy dash of red, sweet vermouth.

Another refreshing gin cocktail is the Gin Gimlet that is simple but excellent. Made of gin and lime it is sweet because of Rose’s lime juice that is added to it. A favorite gin cocktail is the Singapore Gin Sling that was invented around a century ago and served with pineapple or lemon. The bubbles and foam caused by the soda and pineapple juice makes it refreshing.

There are plenty of recipes that can help you to create a fantastic gin cocktail. Some of these are the Martinez, French 75, Albermarle, Pink Gin and Morning Glory Fizz. Most of the ingredients used in these gin cocktails are soda water, Pernod, bitters, ginger ale, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, grenadine, Champagne, triple sec, vermouth and of course gin.

The gin cocktail French 75 is made by mixing the ingredients – cherry, superfine sugar, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker that has ice in it. Once this is done all you have to do is strain the mixture into a flute and top the drink with champagne.

Morning Glory Fizz is made with a blend of Pernod, lemon juice, ginger ale, egg white, sugar and ice cubes. The trick is to shake the mixture of lemon, sugar syrup, gin and egg white till there is a layer of “frost”. Then strain this into a glass and top it with ginger ale.