January 2018
This is article is a 'blast from the past' so its appearance may change as time goes by & we update our website.

Gin, gin! Spring 2018 issue 1

Unless you’ve been hiding away from modern society, the gin boom won’t have escaped you. New micro distilleries are popping up every week offering a wide range of unique and unusual botanicals such as seaweed, baobab fruit and crocus flower. A recent YouGov poll found that gin is the most popular spirit among UK drinkers and it’s no wonder, it’s such a versatile drink – great with tonic but a delicious cocktail ingredient too.

Gin Etiquette

But it’s not only the variety and number of different gins which has exploded in recent years, it’s the way in which it is served. Gone are the days of ‘ice and a slice’ in a highball glass, now the ‘perfect serve’ is in a large balloon glass packed with ice cubes which keep the drink so cool that the ice doesn’t melt and dilute the drink. There’s also a dizzying array of garnishes that adorn each glass, each particular to the brand of gin – will it be pink peppercorns, cloves, hibiscus petals or a sprig of lavender or rosemary? Or how about cucumber, strawberries or red chilli? It’s definitely worth doing your research (which normally just means reading the back label!) and adding the right garnish and a quality tonic such as Fever-Tree – it certainly makes your G&T a feast for the eyes as well as the palate – chin-chin!

Gin and Pear Cocktail

Serves 1

Ingredients

  • Half a very ripe pear, cut into small pieces
  • 40ml elderflower liqueur (you could use cordial for a lower alcohol cocktail)
  • 60ml gin of your choice
  • Tonic water to top up
  • Ice cubes
  • A sprig of rosemary and a slice of pear to garnish
  • Method
  • Put the pieces of pear into a cocktail shaker and ‘muddle’ to break up the pieces and release the juice
  • Add the elderflower liqueur and gin together with some ice
  • Do your best Tom Cruise impression and give it all a good shake
  • Strain into an ice-filled tumbler and top up with tonic water
  • Garnish with a sprig of rosemary skewering the slice of pear

Our Featured Friend is Kimberley Davenport of Davenport Drinks Consulting. Before starting her own company Kimberley worked for Sainsbury’s running the marketing and PR division within the beers, wines and spirits department. Kimberley shares her vast knowledge of all things drinks related on our ‘Delicious Drinks’ events.