A Change in Attitude: Gin Cocktails
I get a little frustrated when people turn their noses up at gin. Of course, I probably shouldn’t because up until a couple of years ago I did the same thing. Then The Patterson House came along, and their gin cocktails changed my attitude.
If you’re one of those that steer clear of this spirit, I have a feeling that like me, you’ve had an experience that left you feeling like you’d been chewing on a Christmas tree branch. While there are definitely gins out there that can do that to you, not all of them do.
Case in point: Plymouth Gin. It’s softer and not as bold as some others can be. Completely smooth, but still full of flavor, it has a higher proportion of sweeter root botanicals than other gins. It’s a perfect “beginner’s” gin, as you can taste the hints of citrus, lemon, orange, and coriander a bit more than the juniper.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I was sent a bottle of Plymouth Gin free of charge to sample. However, this wasn’t my first experience with it, and as is always the case, I wouldn’t bother telling you about it unless I was truly impressed. I’ve actually been enjoying Plymouth in drinks around town for a couple of years, but hadn’t yet been adventurous enough to purchase a bottle for our home bar. This sample bottle was the kick in the pants I needed to experiment and prove to myself that I could make gin drinks just as good as the big boys.
You might notice in the photo above that there isn’t too much left in that bottle. We’ve definitely created some tasty concoctions from it, but there is one in particular that will likely be showing up quite often at my house this summer.
Please allow me to introduce the Ginger Rogers. This cocktail is a classic, yet can be found with many variations, my favorite being from Absinthe Bar in San Francisco.
Claim you don’t like gin? Make one of these. Have friends that claim they don’t like gin? Make this and don’t tell them what’s in it. Changing attitudes, one gin cocktail at a time…..
Ginger Rogers
Makes 1 Cocktail. Cocktail recipe from The Art of the Bar, syrup recipe from Imbibe.
Ingredients:
8-12 mint leaves
1 1/2 oz Plymouth Gin
1/2 oz ginger syrup*
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
ginger ale
Directions:
Put mint leaves in a highball glass, cover with syrup, and muddle lightly until the mint begins to release its aroma. Fill glass with ice; add gin and lime juice and top with ginger ale.
Using a bar spoon, stir the drink from the bottom up to mix. Garnish with fresh mint and/or a lime wedge.
*To Make Ginger Syrup:
1 cup unpeeled, washed, fresh ginger, roughly chopped
1 cup sugar
3 cups water
Finely chop ginger chunks in food processor or blender. Place in a large stock pot. Add sugar and water to the pot and stir. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook for one hour until syrup is created. Strain the syrup through a sieve into a jar or bottle. Refrigerate.
Haven’t tried Plymouth gin yet, but will give it a try. Looks like a great recipe too!
I am absolutely a gin snob. I hate it, but I am intrigued by your description of Plymouth and also the ginger syrup (not surprised you love this drink)! This drink seems perfect for summer. I’m going to have to change my attitude and give it a try!
You definitely should. I made these again last night for a couple of friends, one of whom says she doesn’t like gin, and both of them loved it!
I LOVE gin, so I’m glad to find fellow gin fans :) Havne’t tried Plymouth, but I do enjoy Corsair and Hendrick’s.
I agree! I passed on anything with Gin after a few rough college tries of Gin and Juice. So my first few trips to Patterson House I bypassed the page, despite the fact that nearly every cocktail intrigued me. I bit the bullet, took the plunge, and never looked back.
Way to get your practice on before your PH Tutorial Beth :)
I’m a Gin girl! If i’m going to have a cocktail, my go-to is typically a Gin & Tonic, but my fave is the French 75. It’s just Gin, Champagne, lemon juice & sugar. Delicious!
Oddly enough i’ve never had Plymouth. I’ll certainly give it a try soon though.
i gotta try this!
Ok, you got me. I don’t like gin. My last memory of it had me thinking I was sipping on terpentine. BUT since you too were once in my shoes, I’ll give it a try again–though I’ll start via the hands of a professional bartender.
Yes Nadette, I strongly recommend going to a really great bar with a really great bartender for your next go round. It makes a WORLD of difference!
I suspect the reason this is tasty is because of all the sugar. You’ve got a sugar based syrup plus ginger ale working to smooth over the gin. Also raw ginger is potent and fresh lime juice a strong taste as well so with all of those things I’m sure the gin flavor is much subdued. Which is probably the point.