4 classic gin cocktails to get you into the spirit
With a few basic ingredients, some ice and a cocktail shaker you can make a variety of cocktails in a jiffy. Here's how.
Of the six basic spirits that are used in cocktail-making, gin is the most versatile. Its distinct herb and spice aromatics enable it to blend well with a range of liqueurs and fruit juices and even other spirits. Add to that its colourlessness which makes it a neutral background for festive looking creations.
You will need
- Cocktail shaker
- Gin
- Dry vermouth
- Cointreau (colourless, orange flavoured liqueur)
- Grenadine (pomegranate syrup)
- Pineapple juice
- Grapefruit juice
- Orange juice
- Lemon rind
- Green olives
- White cocktail pearl onions
Classic Dry Martini
No cocktail recipe is more argued over than the classic Dry Martini. It basically consists of two measures of ice-cold gin to one measure ice-cold dry white vermouth. The drink should be mixed gently in a jug (stirred not shaken), with ice, and then strained into the traditional martini glass, which should come out of the freezer. Add a twist of lemon rind or one or two green olives skewered on a toothpick.
Gibson
A variation of this martini is the Gibson where two white cocktail pearl onions skewered on a toothpick are added in stead of the olives or lemon rind.
Pink Pussycat
2 measures / 2 Tblsp gin 3 measures / 4 Tblsp pineapple juice 2 measures / 2 Tblsp grapefruit juice 1/2 measure / 2 tsp grenadine Shake all the ingredients well, with ice, in a cocktail shaker and strain into a tall glass.
Luigi
2 measures / 2 Tblsp gin 2 measures / 2 Tblsp dry vermouth 1/4 measure / 1 tsp grenadine dash cointreau dash orange juice Shake well, with ice, in a cocktail shaker and strain into a glass.
Enjoy!
