How many times have we sat at the bar and heard someone order a Vodka Lemon, or a Cuba Libre? Vodka, rum, whisky, these are the spirits traditionally associated with cocktails.
This article, however, is for those of you who are devoted to a spirit of an altogether more divine fragrance. Obtained from the distillation of juniper berries, gin is in fact the foundation of many cocktails that have become truly iconic.
The more seasoned among you will know that this distillate has a highly variable alcohol content: it starts at 37.5% ABV and can reach up to 57% ABV. The alcohol content is governed by legislative directives for gin production, which may be achieved through infusion of botanicals or through distillation.
That said, there are various types of distillation, including pot still and carter head methods, and it is even possible to combine infusion and distillation, depending on the style of gin being produced. The possibilities are virtually limitless.
The origins of gin reach far back in time, to the 13th century in Holland and Belgium, though gin as we know it was truly born in the 1600s when Dr Sylvius devised Genever (Jenever), a distillate composed of alcohol and essential oils of juniper.
Created as a medicinal remedy, it was brought to the United Kingdom at the beginning of the 18th century by William of Orange, who chose to encourage its production. Genever became “Geneva” and, eventually, Gin.
It was the English who decided to create an infusion of juniper berries, coriander, orange peel and other botanicals: thus was born the London Dry Gin. It spread rapidly through the colonies, among soldiers, because it masked the flavour of quinine used to combat malaria.
In short order it became an enormously popular spirit, particularly among the lower classes. This led to excessive consumption and increasingly frequent public disorder. The response was the Gin Act, designed to limit serving establishments and tax the beverage, to the point where gin became more expensive than tea.
As with Prohibition in the United States, the measure failed to achieve its intended results. Illicit production flourished, and with it the bathtub gin. Today this style bears the more appealing name of Compound Gin.
Since then, production methods have diversified according to the character each maker wishes to impart, though some intrepid producers continue to employ this curious approach.
Pairing Gin: The Classic Cocktails
You have purchased a quality gin, perhaps our very own Gin Vettore, you have acquired a shaker and the appropriate glassware, but you do not know a single gin cocktail recipe?
Not to worry. Here you will find a few straightforward ideas for mixing some of the world’s best-known cocktails in the comfort of your own home.
Feeling bold? The White Lady is an elegant, refined aperitif that masterfully combines the warmth of citrus with the northern character of gin.
Ingredients:
- 4 cl gin
- 3 cl triple sec
- 2 cl freshly squeezed lemon juice
Simply squeeze half a lemon and strain the juice. Fill your shaker with ice, gin, lemon juice and triple sec. Shake for approximately 15 seconds, then strain into a pre-chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a slice of lemon.
If you prefer a Martini, you cannot miss this recipe for the Martini cocktail:
- 6 cl gin
- 1 cl vermouth
- Lemon zest
With its dry, assertive character, it is the perfect aperitif and can be adapted in many variations depending on the proportion of gin used.
Place ice cubes in a coupe glass to chill it. Fill a mixing glass with ice, then pour in the vermouth and gin and stir. Remove the ice from the coupe and strain the drink into it. The finishing touch: a twist of lemon zest squeezed directly over the cocktail, with a few brine-cured olives on the side.
Although we are accustomed to seeing the Martini glass with an olive inside, it is best to serve them separately.
For those with a palate for refined flavours, the Bramble is the aperitif cocktail for you.
What you will need:
- 4 cl gin
- 1.5 cl lemon juice
- 1 cl sugar syrup
- 1.5 cl blackberry liqueur
This cocktail of decisive character is built directly in an old fashioned glass. Squeeze the lemon, strain the juice, and add it along with gin and sugar syrup to a glass filled with ice.
Once you have stirred gently, simply drizzle the blackberry liqueur over the top to give your cocktail its remarkable pink hue. Garnish with fresh blackberries.
The juniper character of gin pairs perfectly with the acidity of raspberry in this cocktail of unforgettable flavour. We present the Clover Club.
Ingredients:
- 4.5 cl gin
- 1.5 cl raspberry syrup
- 1.5 cl fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pasteurised egg white
This cocktail is prepared directly in the shaker. Fill it with ice, add the gin, raspberry syrup and strained fresh lemon juice. Shake for 10 seconds, pour into a well-chilled cocktail coupe and garnish with a raspberry.
If you wish to give your drink a more silken appearance, simply whisk the egg white to soft peaks and add a teaspoon to the shaker before mixing. You will not be disappointed.
Gin Cocktail Recipes for Your Summer
Summer has arrived and you have no intention of forsaking your favourite spirit? Here are some recipes for fresh, light cocktails to savour beneath the parasol.
For a summer scented with lemon, try making a Tom Collins.
What you will need:
- 4.5 cl gin
- 1.5 cl lemon juice
- 1.5 cl sugar syrup
- 6 cl soda water
- 1 dash of Angostura (optional)
Build it directly in the glass: fill a highball with ice, then pour in the gin, lemon juice and syrup. Top with soda water and a dash of Angostura. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a maraschino cherry.
Alternatively, you might mix an Aviation, a cocktail of decidedly striking appearance and an unexpected violet hue.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml gin
- 15 ml maraschino
- 15 ml lemon juice
- 5 ml crème de violette
Prepare it in the shaker: combine gin, maraschino, lemon juice and crème de violette and shake vigorously. Serve in a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
And do not forget to try mixing the perfect Gin & Tonic in its ideal proportions. A supremely refreshing cocktail, simple to prepare with ice in a Copa de Balon or highball glass and a quality tonic water.
Gin & Tonic, proportions and ingredients:
- One-third measure of gin
- Two-thirds measure of tonic water
- 1 slice of lemon
- Standard-sized ice cubes
- Optional: 1 slice of Mela Rosa dei Sibillini, 1 blackberry, cucumber ribbons, 2 dashes of Angostura, 1 slice of lime or lemon
Fill the glass with ice to the brim, pour in the gin, add tonic water, and your Gin & Tonic is served.
A Few Mixing Tips
If you have already mastered the great classics and wish to venture further, here are some pointers for achieving the right pairings.
First, always look at the botanicals that compose the gin you have chosen, this will give you a sense of the base character. From there, let your imagination run: try an unusual tonic water, pair unexpected herbs, blend gin with other spirits.
If you have a discerning palate and some experience, the primary advice is always to taste each individual liqueur, syrup or herbal infusion before adding it to your cocktail. This way you will achieve a result worthy of a professional bartender.
Recipes Created for You by Sibillini Spirits
Sibillini Spirits recently created its first product: a distillate of truly captivating character. We speak of Gin Vettore, whose name derives from one of the highest peaks in the Monti Sibillini range.
This gin is obtained from the distillation of seven distinct botanicals which, combined together, give Gin Vettore its signature style and originality: to the traditional juniper are added notes of lemon balm, coriander, dill, angelica and wormwood. But the defining touch comes from Mela Rosa dei Sibillini, earning this gin its designation as a Slow Food Presidium.
If you are not a professional bartender and prefer not to risk adventurous combinations, Sibillini Spirits has devised a few simple cocktails that will allow you to showcase this remarkable gin with assured success.
For those who love the great classics, Sibillini Spirits proposes the Negroni, the quintessential aperitif. The delicate, gently sweet tones of lemon balm and angelica pair perfectly with this cocktail’s decisive character.
For those seeking a Mediterranean accent, here is Sibilla Smash: the acidity of lemon and the fragrance of basil wed seamlessly with the sweetness of apple and the dry edge of wormwood.
Longing to settle in by the pool? Simple yet striking, Gin Vettore Tonic will surprise you: the sweetness of Mela Rosa dei Sibillini pairs flawlessly with the acidity of lime and the crispness of tonic water.
For a long drink with the flavour of summer, we present Gin Fizz dei Sibillini. The bold character of coriander and dill is tempered by the acidity of lemon and the sweetness of sugar syrup.