Classic or otherwise – gin cocktails still pack a good punch
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!