Gin: A Spirit That Blends Perfect For Your Cocktails

Gin, often characterised as the "old person's" beverage, has reinvented itself as the tipple of choice among Indian consumers. Known for its premium quality, aromatic composition and softer flavour profile, Gin is considered to be the perfect accompaniment to brunches and refreshment occasions. Gin traces its origins to the liquors that were produced back in the Middle Ages, and sees references to a flavoured spirit with “genever” . This could be seen in 3th Century Flemish manuscript. But late by 1600s, the Dutch were known to be producing gin in earnest, with hundreds of distilleries in the city of Amsterdam alone.

But interestingly not many may know that the first Gin Tonic is from India in 19th century. And today gin is almost like a cult with numerous home grown brands producing our very own Indian Gin

The Golden Hour

The Golden Hour is that magical time just before sunset, with beautiful soft lighting that presents the perfect opportunity to reflect on the day. 

In this cocktail, a well-balanced Gin and mango puree shines, and is complemented by the honey water, lime juice and Svami Ginger Ale. The cocktail represents the balance, elegance, and quiet joy that its namesake also provides.

Ingredients -

·    Gin - 45 ml

·    Mango puree - 45 ml

·    Honey water (mixture of 1 part honey & 1 part water) - 20 ml

·    Lime juice - 10 ml

·    Mint - 4-5 leaves

·    Svami Ginger Ale - Top

·    Garnish with lemon peel

Method -

·    In a shaker, add the Gin, mango puree, lime juice & honey water.

·    Add ice. Shake & strain in a highball glass filled with ice.

·    Top with Svami Ginger Ale.

·    Garnish with lemon peel.

Orange and pepper twist

Ingredients:

·    50ml Bombay Sapphire

·    100ml tonic water (chilled & freshly opened)

·    1 Orange wedge

·    2 Full grinds of black pepper

Method:

·    Squeeze an orange wedge into a Balloon glass

·    Add two grinds of black pepper

·    Pour in the Bombay Sapphire and swirl the glass to mix and infuse

·    Fully fill the glass with cubed ice and stir to mix and chill.

·    Top with 100ml of tonic water by pouring it gently down the bar spoon to retain as much effervescence as possible.

·    Gently fold/stir with a bar spoon to combine

Peppermint G &T

Ingredients:

·    50 ml Bombay Sapphire

·    40 ml peppermint tea

·    60 ml premium tonic water

·    Mint sprig

·    Anise

Method:

·    Fill a balloon glass with ice.

·    Add 50 ml Bombay Sapphire and 40 ml peppermint tea.

·    Top up with 60ml premium tonic water.

·    Garnish with a mint sprig and a star anise.

Lavender Dream

Whether you're sipping with friends or treating yourself, a homemade flavoured syrup using Sipsmith will go a long way to elevate a host of cocktails. 

Ingredients:

•    2 parts Sipsmith London Dry Gin

•    3/4 part lemon juice

•    3/4 parts lavender syrup (homemade or bought)

•    Luxardo cherry to garnish

Classic G&T

Toast this premium Sipsmith, specifically crafted by Beam Suntory India, for the gloomy monsoon season. With a zesty lemon twist, this classic cocktail will refresh you with the taste of the quintessential London Dry Gin.

Ingredients:

•    50ml Sipsmith London Dry Gin

•    Indian tonic water

•    Garnished with a lemon twist

Plum Martini

A cocktail that heralds the arrival of a new season. Emblematic of spring in Japan, the delicate scent of plum is at the heart of this serve.

Ingredients:

·    45ml ROKU

·    10ml ume liqueur

·    20ml soda

·    1 small plum fruit

Summer Gin Punch

Ingredients: 

·    60ml gin/vodka/rum 

·    90ml Jimmy’s Gin Cherry Sour mix 

·    10 ml Maple Syrup

·    10 ml Fresh Lime juice

Method- 

·    In a shaker glass filled with ice, pour the above ingredients and shake well. 

·    Strain into a tall glass filled with ice and garnish with glazed cherries.

Mango Fresh

INGREDIENTS: 

·    60ml Beefeater London Dry Gin 

·    20ml Lemon Juice | 10ml Sugar Syrup 

·    150ml Mango Juice 

·    2 dashes Orange Bitters 

HOW TO MIX: Blend ingredient with crushed ice. Garnish with mango wedges

Orient 

Nothing says summer like a refreshing gin-guava lime cocktail! It's pretty color, the added element of Kaffir leaf and delicious taste is the perfect accompaniment to brunch with family and friends.

Ingredients - 

·    Gin - 45 ml

·    Guava - 3 cubes 

·    Svami original Tonic Water 

·    Lime juice - 10 ml

·    Salt - ½ pinch 

·    Garnish with Kaffir Leaf - 1

Directions - 

·    In a shaker, muddle the guava and kaffir leaf.

·    Add gin, lime juice, and salt. Add ice.

·    Shake and strain it in a highball glass filled with ice.

·    Top with Svami Original Tonic.

·    Garnish with a Kaffir leaf.

Negroni

INGREDIENTS:  

·    30ml Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin 

·    30ml Italian Bitters 

·    30ml Sweet Vermouth

Method

·    Stir all ingredients over ice. 

·    Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.