 The Piccadilly cocktail, above, substitutes gin for tequila in the popular Tequila Sunrise. Gin is a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed in cocktails far beyond the Gin and Tonic or Martini. Photography courtesy Pernod Ricard, USA.
September 2008
Updated February 2018 |
|
Favorite Gin Cocktails
Classic Cocktails & Riffs On The Classics
The Gin & Tonic is the archetypal British cocktail, but gin is as adaptable to different recipes as any other spirit. For your next cocktail party, offer guests a menu of gin cocktails. Here are some favorites from Beefeater Gin.
Beefeater, named after a slang term for the Yeomen Warders who guard the Tower of London (shown on Beefeater Gin’s bottle label, below), is the only international gin still distilled in London. Its recipe, developed in the early 1860s, includes botanicals such as juniper, angelica roots and seeds, coriander seeds, licorice, almonds, orris root, Seville oranges and lemon peel. Each gin has its own recipe and distinctive flavor. Beefeater has a floral palate with hints of citrus. Learn how each botanical contributes to the blend at BeefeaterGin.com.
Gin Cocktail Menu
|
 |
Gin & Tonic History: Classic Gin & Tonic Cocktail
Gin and tonic water both started out as medicines. Gin was invented in The Netherlands in the 17th century, originally intended to treat kidney ailments. It is named for the French word for juniper, genévrier, which is gin’s key ingredient. Gin quickly became a popular spirit in England, and began production there when the government imposed heavy taxes on imported spirits while allowing unlicensed gin production at home.
The quinine found in tonic water has been used to treat malaria for centuries. Quinine was first isolated and extracted from the cinchona tree in Peru, in 1817. Soon after, British soldiers stationed in India mixed quinine with sugar, water and gin to make it more palatable. Thus, the archetypical drink of the British Empire was born. Bottled “quinine water” came later.
Additionally, the lime garnish that comes with a Gin & Tonic provides vitamin C, which wards off scurvy (though the minimal amount of lime in a single drink wouldn’t cure you if you already have scurvy—you’d need to drink a lot of Gin & Tonics).
Ingredients Per Cocktail
Preparation
- Pour gin into an ice-filled glass, top
with tonic water and stir lightly.
- Garnish with lime wedges.
|
 Gin & Tonic: The classic, easy-to-make cocktail. |
Beefeater Basil-Berry Gimlet Gin Cocktail
The gimlet was invented in the late 19th century, by naval surgeon Sir Thomas O. Gimlette, in order to encourage British soldiers to imbibe enough vitamin C (from lime or lemon juice) to avoid scurvy. This resulted in the slang term, “limey,” for British soldiers. This recipe includes basil and strawberry, for a summery touch—although if you can find nice berries in the winter, it’s also a Christmas touch.
Ingredients Per Cocktail
- 2 parts gin
- 1/2 part fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- 4 basil leaves
- 1 large strawberry
Preparation
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the
strawberry and basil leaves with
simple syrup.
- Add gin, lemon juice and ice, and
shake well.
- Strain into a rocks glass with ice.
- Garnish with a basil leaf and large
berry, notched onto the rim.
|
 This photo doesn’t show the berry, but you can see how a large strawberry on the rim would make a festive holiday drink. |
London Lemonade Gin Cocktail
This elegant cocktail is a world apart from bottled hard lemonade, and takes less than three minutes to put together. It’s perfect for brunch, outdoor parties, warm days and menus that go with lemonade.
Ingredients Per Cocktail
- 1 part gin
- 1 part triple sec
- 1 part fresh lemon juice
Preparation
- Fill a shaker with ice and add
ingredients.
- Shake vigorously for one minute.
- Pour into a Collins glass.
- Garnish with mint leaves and serve
with a straw.
|
 Cool down on a hot day with a refreshing London Lemonade. |
The Piccadilly Gin Cocktail
This colorful drink is a British take on the Tequila Sunrise, traditionally made with tequila, orange juice and grenadine. Its bright color evokes summer sunsets and autumn leaves.
Ingredients Per Cocktail
- 1-1/2 parts gin
- 4 parts orange juice
- Splash of grenadine
- 2 cherries
Preparation
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour gin, orange juice and grenadine
over the ice.
- Garnish with two cherries.
|
 Bright colors and sweet cherries are a fun treat for party guests. |
Royal Garden Gin Cocktail
This minty cocktail says St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, spring, summer, Christmas and your favorite color, if it’s green! Serve it in a classic martini glass for a sophisticated look.
Ingredients Per Cocktail
- 2 parts gin
- 1 teaspoon pastis
- 1/2 part fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup*
- Fresh mint
*Here’s a simple syrup recipe.
Preparation
- Fill a shaker with ice and add
ingredients.
- Shake vigorously and strain into a
martini glass.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves.
|
 Green with envy: Don’t you wish you had one of these in your hand right now? |
Recipes © 2008 Pernod Ricard USA. All rights reserved. Other material
Lifestyle Direct, Inc. All rights reserved. Photos are the copyright of their respective owners.
|
