A Fresh Update On A Classic Cocktail

This is the craziness that is my life right now. It’s a good energy…a good crazy but the kind that causes me to glance at the clock in the late afternoon wondering if it’s about time for a cocktail.

Teaser of what’s to come? Hmmm…

ANYWAY…

We used to enjoy a nice glass of wine at the end of a crazy day. We still do but lately we’ve been enjoying some new and refreshing twists on an old classic – the gin & tonic.

I’m not sure exactly when this old school cocktail renaissance began but I suspect it had something to do with the popular television show Mad Men; specifically Don Draper’s cool and ever-so constant consumption of Old Fashioneds. By the time we were all binge watching seasons 1-4, every home decor magazine on the rack had a ‘Perfect Bar Cart’ article and retro cocktail ware was all the rage. Soon the restaurants caught on and speak-easy style lounges opened up with creative versions of many of the old classics like negronis, gimlets, martinis and of course, the gin & tonic.

For me the gin & tonic was not love at first taste. Originally, it was my husband’s go-to cocktail and every time he sat down with one the intoxicating botanical aroma would waft my way and entice me to steal a sip. And then came the utter disappointment. The gin & tonics smelled so delicious but tasted horribly, ugly-face-making bitter. I just couldn’t figure out how something could smell so amazing and taste so awful. Over time I realized it really wasn’t the gin I disliked, it was the harsh quinine flavor in the tonic water. Once I isolated that as the problem, it became my mission to find a gin & tonic that tasted as wonderful as it smelled.

Before I reveal my two FAVORITE gin & tonic recipes, a quick word about gin. There is a huge difference in flavors when it comes to gin. I could write an entire blog post about that – but why? The important thing to know is that different gins taste best with different recipes. My favorite go-to gin is  Citadelle. It’s crisp juniper and citrus notes are fresh and not too dry – perfect for almost any gin based cocktail

There are two other gins that I think are totally worth having on hand. First, there’s Hendricks Gin which has lovely cucumber and rose notes. This is the perfect gin for the absolutely yummy Cucumber Elderflower Gimlet from the wonderful food blog, Cookie & Kate. I have to add, if you love steampunk art, you absolutely have to click the Hendricks link – fantastic website!

The second special gin, Hanami, is made in Holland. This is the only gin I would consider sipping all on it’s own. It is light, floral and herbaceously delicious. Also, and I’m sure all women out there will understand… it comes in a beautiful bottle.

This is the gin I prefer to use in my own creation, the Honey Grapefruit Gin & Tonic (recipe below).

Last, but definitely NOT LEAST, the type of tonic water you use absolutely matters. Please save yourself…just say no to Canada Dry tonic water. If you don’t mind the quinine, try Fever Tree Tonic Water or Fentiman’s Tonic Water. If you are like me and can’t do the bitter, try the Fentiman’s Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water (I use this in the Honey Grapefruit G&T) or the Jack Rudy Elderflower Tonic – add it to regular club soda in lieu of tonic water (as described in the Elderflower G&T recipe below).

Well, I am super excited to share with you all that I’ve been working on lately. I’m not a basketball fan but I think there will be a little March Madness happening on A Crafty Composition. Until then, give one (or two) of these delicious cocktails a try.

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4 from 2 votes

Elderflower Gin & Tonic

Ingredients

• .5 ounces lime juice; about 1/2 a lime
• .5 ounces Jack Rudy Elderflower Tonic
• .5 ounces St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• 2 ounces Gin
• Club Soda

Instructions

• Measure all ingredients and place in a rocks glass over ice. Pour club soda to fill and gently stir. Serve with a lime wedge and sprig of rosemary.

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4 from 2 votes

Honey Grapefruit Gin & Tonic

Ingredients

• .5 ounce honey syrup, see instructions
• .5 ounces lime juice, about 1/2 lime
• 2 ounces Hanami or other floral gin
• Fill with Fentimans Grapefruit Tonic Water
• 2 sprigs fresh mint, save one for garnish

Instructions

Honey Syrup

• Mix equal parts of honey and water in a small sauce pan. Stir over medium heat until honey is dissolved and completely blended with the water. You can store this in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
  

Cocktail

• Place mint into a cocktail shaker and gently muddle. Add honey, lime and gin with a little ice and briefly shake. Strain into a rocks glass, over ice. Add grapefruit tonic to fill and garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

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