While a classic G&T is still top dog, it’s time to get adventurous with gin. From a twist of citrus to a dash of cordial and an array of accutrements, here are tasty ways to jazz up your favourite.
WORDS Jo Buitendach PHOTOS Supplied
What the experts say
We asked the gurus at Mossel Bay gin distillery Cape Saint Blaize for tips to boost your gin experience:
- In terms of glassware, a Collins glass is better than a gin goblet – the tendency to overfill a goblet with ice and tonic results in a diluted G&T.
- Avoid overfilling the beverage with tonic water – use a one-part gin/three-parts tonic ratio for the best flavour.
- Keep it simple with garnish – for example, only add a few slices of strawberry, or a few blueberries or raspberries.
- When prepping a citrus garnish, be sure to use only the thin zest of the outer flesh, and not a slice or wedge. The white part of citrus peel adds bitterness to your drink.
- Flame the orange zest over the glass before dropping it in.
Cape Saint Blaze has a fantastic recipe on its website for an easy Old Fashioned gin cocktail (as opposed to the usual whisky), which includes a cinnamon-sugar syrup and Angostura bitters. You can also try to make the more complex Floristic Bramble with blackcurrant syrup and cranberry juice. | capesaintblaize.co.za
Keeping it cordial
An easy way to pep up a gin is to mix it with a cordial made from fruit or botanicals, sugar and water. While you could try making your own, great premade options are available. Two In A Bush off ers an assortment of flavoured cordials craft ed from rooibos, pure spring water, and natural fruit juice concentrates such as raspberry and honeybush, citrus or peach. You can also try making the “G and Tea” cocktail, which contains equal amounts of gin and Two In A Bush rooibos cordial, a squeeze of citrus and sparkling water, all poured over ice. | twoinabush.co.za
Another cordial worth trying with gin is Babylonstoren’s Mountain Marigold Cordial, made with lemon, a dash of cardamom and vibrant mountain marigold flowers. Alternatively, Luckybird has an extensive selection of flavoured syrups to mix with your gin, including white grapefruit, elderflower, blueberry and African ginger. babylonstoren.com | luckybirddrinks.com
In a similar vein, experimental micro-distillery New Harbour Distillery produces a small selection of bitters – a flavour extract made by infusing botanicals into a neutral alcohol. Just a drop or two of bitters can add deep flavour to any gin-based drink. New Harbour’s selection includes Cape Gooseberry, Ginger Beer, African Baobab and Key Lime. | newharbourdistillery.com
Just the tonic
Gin may pair well with juice, but tonic is still the go-to mix, and has been for more than a century. The carbonated soft drink was fi rst commercially produced in 1858, initially to use in malaria prevention. While you can pick up a standard tonic at any supermarket, you can also treat yourself to a premium local product – like the Good Mix Indian Tonic, which has subtle citrus notes. The company also does a sparkling grapefruit mixer, with a touch of lime and salt, that pairs well with gin. You can get both at Hope Distillery. | hopedistillery.co.za
A zest for life
One of the easiest, most cost-effective ways of adding zing to your gin is the inclusion of fresh or dehydrated fruit, fresh herbs or citrus zest. While a slice of fresh lemon or lime is the obvious choice, dehydrated grapefruit or orange slices or berries are also great. Babylonstoren sells delicious dried blood-orange slices, made from oranges that are grown on the estate, if you fancy that idea. On the fresh herb front, rosemary, thyme and lavender work quite well with gin.
You can get even more creative and try basil, olives, juniper berries, cinnamon sticks, pink peppercorns or mango peel. Just remember: when deciding on any of these trimmings, try to match them with your chosen gin’s flavour profile. | babylonstoren.com
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