Gin Cocktails for Your Summer Soiree

Ahhh, summer. It just screams booze doesn’t it? Usually vodka or rum drinks come to mind, or to my mind anyway. Refreshing sangria and absolutely margaritas! Gin usually isn’t a go-to spirit in the summer. While I’m not the biggest fan of straight gin or even gin & tonics, I have had cocktails with gin in them that were pretty good.

Our friends at Fine Wine & Good Spirits told us that one of the biggest trends they are seeing this summer is gin and they shared some fun facts that I’d like to share with you.

• In recent years, distillers have re-examined their recipes, getting more creative with the botanicals they put into the mix. As a result, gin has seen a resurgence, with more premium and craft bottles on store shelves giving consumers and bartenders more options to try.
• By definition, gin is a neutral spirit flavored with juniper berries. That juniper flavor dominated classic London dry styles in the past, dividing people into those who loved the piney taste and those who hated it.
• To appeal to the haters, many distillers have moved away from that juniper-heavy palate, playing with nontraditional botanicals that bring out different flavors in the spirit.
• The ever-expanding gin market has made the spirit a go-to for creative mixologists who enjoy playing with its complex flavors.
• Bartenders are going beyond the martini and the gin and tonic, pairing gin with fresh fruits, juices, herbs and more.
• Gin’s new versatility has done wonders for reintroducing the spirit to former haters and younger generations, giving it a trendy bump.

They also provided some gin cocktail recipes. So if you’re in the mood to switch things up, try some of these cocktails using gin. I’m pretty sure the Peach and Elderflower one has my name all over it.

ENGLISHMAN IN NYC

• 2 oz. New Amsterdam Gin
• 2 oz. pear juice
• 1 tsp. sugar
• ½ oz. lemon juice
• 2 sage leaves, one for garnish
• Pear slice, for garnish

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with pear slice and a floating sage leaf.

PEACH AND ELDERFLOWER COLLINS

• 1/3 fresh peach
• 2/3 oz. white peach puree
• 2 oz. Bombay Sapphire
• Juice of ½ lemon
• ½ oz. elder flower cordial
• Soda water, to top
• Peach wedge, for garnish

Crush peach in a mixing glass (or use puree). Add gin, lemon juice, elder flower and ice, and stir. Fine-strain into a tall glass filled with ice and top with soda water. Garnish with peach.

POET’S TONIC

• 1½ oz. Hendrick’s Gin
• ½ oz. Bittermens Commonwealth Tonic Cordial
• 2 drops Bittermens Hopped Grapefruit Bitters
• Club soda, to top
• Cucumber wedge, for garnish

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass with fresh ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with cucumber.

How do YOU like to drink gin? Let us know in the comments.