Now is the time when gin is more popular than ever; with various artisanal distilleries bringing their own craft touch to each bottle. The herby and refreshing liquor with aniseed-y notes pairs well with pretty much all kinds of fresh summer ingredients, to make the most delicious cocktails, that will have your guests coming back for more. The key to making the perfect gin cocktail lies in finding the right balance between sweet and sour/bitter notes and allowing each element to shine through on its own, without one overpowering the other. Secondly, using a generous helping of gin in each drink (say 45-60 ml) is a good way to keep your drink potent and not be diluted by ice and other ingredients. On that note, here are four summer-perfect drinks to shake up over the weekend!
French 75
Image Credits: The Mix
Consisting of champagne, gin and lemon juice as its key elements, this drink is a playful recipe that doesn’t involve too much hard work on the maker’s end; and is much more fun to drink than it sounds. With its WW-I origins, this cocktail first came into existence in New York in the 1910s. Talk about history!
Ingredients
- 45 ml gin
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 15 ml simple syrup
- 90 ml champagne
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Method
- Add the gin, simple syrup and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well.
- Strain and pour into a glass and top up with champagne. Garnish with a citrus twist and serve.
Southside
Image Credits: Fooby
This fascinating gin cocktail was given its name by infamous American gangster Al Capone – who apparently smuggled gin that was harsher in taste and less palatable to drink on its own. Hence, there was a need to mix it with plenty of citrus fruit and sugar to mellow the unpleasantness. Al Capone took a liking to this heady concoction and the Southside was born.
Ingredients
- 60 ml gin
- 30 ml lemon juice
- 20 ml sugar syrup
- 6-8 mint leaves
- Mint sprig, for garnish
Method
- Muddle the mint leaves and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker before adding the gin and syrup.
- Shake with lots of ice and strain into a serving glass. Garnish with more mint and serve.
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Bee’s Knees
Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Offering a heady buzz (pun not intended), this honey and gin-based drink is the perfect one to kickstart your brunch with. This simple and sweet cocktail balances the sweet and sour flavours along with having just three ingredients, making this one to shake up at a moment’s notice.
Ingredients
- 60 ml gin
- 25 ml lemon juice
- 15 ml honey syrup
- Lemon peel, for garnish
Method
- Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, with plenty of ice and pour into a glass.
- Garnish with the citrus peel and serve with more ice, if needed.
Mango G&T
Image Credits: Craft Gin Club
A summery twist on the classic cocktail, this bright yellow G&T is one for the old timers and those who are gin purists. A delicious drink that combines the best of both worlds – gin and mangoes, this cocktail is lovely to sip on, even if you’re by yourself or entertaining a large group of friends.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chopped mango
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 10 ml simple syrup
- 45 ml gin
- Tonic water, to top up
- Mango pieces, for garnish
Method
- Muddle the mango and lemon juice in the cocktail shaker until it is nice and pulpy.
- Add the gin and simple syrup. Shake with lots of ice and pour directly into a glass.
- Top up with tonic water and garnish with mango cubes before serving.
