Although the purists in us would say the best way to enjoy a gin is with a few simple ingredients and some tonic, our experimental sides will always look at creating something new. Here you will find some of the recipes we have developed along with our in-house mixologist. All developed so that you can make these drinks at home and discover along with us just how versatile a gin drink really is. We hope you enjoy, and if you feel like you have a recipe that we should know about, submit it here… Who knows you just could be our next featured cocktail inventor, and maybe we will send you a little something for showing off your skills.
Martini
A Martini is one of the most iconic and classic cocktails around. It’s also one that not a lot of people agree on when it comes to making it the best way. Here is our favourite recipe.
Start with Ginologist Citrus or Ginologist Orient. The second ingredient in a Martini is dry vermouth. It’s a type of fortified wine, blended and infused with different herbs and botanicals. Most bottle stores stock Martini and Cinzano Dry.
Recipe
Two tots Ginologist gin
One tot dry vermouth
1/2 tot olive brine (if you want a dirty Martini)
Garnish: 2 to 4 olives or twist of lemon zest
Method
Add the Ginologist, vermouth and olive brine to a shaker with two blocks of ice and shake for 30 seconds until well-chilled.
A martini should be served in a chilled glass, . Squeeze the back of a lemon peel over the glass to release the lemon oils into the martini, then rub the peel around the rim of the glass. This enhances the aroma and brings a fresh zest to it. Strain from the shaker into the chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a skewer of olives. Or drop the lemon peel and enjoy.
Southside
A refreshing combination of gin, citrus, sugar and mint that some say it came out of the prohibition era, others claim it was created in New York city at the 21 Club. It’s possible that the drink was named for the South Side neighbourhood in Chicago, or maybe it was invented at Southside Sportsmen’s Club on Long Island. Whichever the case, the South Side and its is a classic cocktail.
Recipe
5 mint leaves
1 tot lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2 tots Ginologist Citrus Gin
1 tot simple syrup (or dissolve half a teaspoon of sugar in the gin)
Garnish: mint sprig
Method
Combine the gin, lime juice, simple syrup and mint sprig in a shaker. Add some ice cubes and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with one mint leaf, smacked to release the oils, floating on top of the cocktail.
Gin Basil Smash
The Basil Smash is considered a modern classic – a cocktail that was only invented in 2008, it has become a phenomenon in high end bars around the world.
Recipe
2 tots Ginologist Citrus or Ginologist Orient Gin
1 tot ml Fresh lemon juice
15 ml Sugar Syrup or half a teaspoon of sugar dissolved in an equal amount of water
1 Bunch Basil leaves
Method
Place basil and lemon into a cocktail shaker. Gently muddle the lemon and basil “smashing” the ingredients. Add sugar syrup and gin and ad 4 ice cubes. Shake and strain into an ice-filled glass.
Garnish with basil leaves.
Berry Refresher
This refreshing pick-me-up packed full of fresh berries, fragrant rosemary and gin is the perfect summertime drink.
Recipe
1.5 tots Ginologist Floral Gin
4 Frozen blueberries (for colour)
1 large strawberry cut in slices
1 rosemary sprig (twig)
1 teaspoon honey
200mls Indian Tonic Water
Method
Into a gin goblet pour one and a half tots of Ginologist Floral Gin
Add a teaspoon of honey and gently stir until melded into the gin. Throw in the frozen blueberries and let them leak their purple juice into the glass. Fill with ice to the top and pour in the plain Indian Tonic Water. You will end up with a beautiful pale pink drink as the blueberry juice is diluted. Ad strawberry slices and rosemary. Enjoy.
Gin and Juice
Perfect for those long summer afternoons and you don’t have to be Snoop Dog to enjoy Gin and Juice.
Recipe
2 tots Ginologist Orient Gin
1 tot lime juice
3 tots grapefruit, cranberry or pomegranate juice. (Choose one)
Method
Add all ingredients into a tall glass and stir. Add Ice and top with 100mls of soda water.
Garnish with a slice of citrus.
Strawberry Smash
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 Wedge of Lime
3 Fresh Strawberries, 2 hulled and sliced and 1 reserved for garnish 90ml Ginologist Citrus Gin
Soda Water
Sprig of Fresh Mint, for garnish
*Serves 1
In a tall glass, combine the sugar and a squeeze of juice from the lime wedge. Muddle with the back of a spoon to dissolve the sugar. Add the sliced strawberries and lightly muddle. Fill the glass with ice and add the gin. Top with a splash of club soda and garnish with the last strawberry and a sprig of mint.
