Gin - Bombay Sapphire, to be specific

Oh good - you haven't given up on me.  I've been spending the last month doing a little gin research for you (you know - out of the kindness of my heart) and reading a book on Prohibition (more on that later). You may well know that a staple summer drink is a gin and tonic.  But gin is versatile and famously used in other drinks such as martinis, boxcars, and gimlets, as well as less famous drinks that are equally inventive.  I also recently discovered that different gins can have characters much like the differences you might find in scotch or wine.

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I'm told that gin was originally created as a stomach calming drink by a doctor in Holland in the 1550s.  However the gin we drink today is a far cry from that original heavier beverage.  Gin comes from either a grain or molasses and is then flavored with botanicals.  You'll find juniper in every gin (which is what it is named for), but many gins include things like coriander, lemon peel and cardamom, as well as other (sometimes secret!) ingredients.  This may be why people are so loyal to their brand - others may taste like an entirely different spirit! 

The quintessential gin for me is Bombay Sapphire, so that is what I'm talking about in my tasting.  A posting on other gins will follow.
Nose:  Piney.  Fresh.  A little turpentiney. 


Taste:  Startling.  Your tongue and roof of mouth experience it quicker than many other alcohols and it lingers too.


Finish:  There isn't a lot to the finish of gin.  Freshness and tingliness and an herbal/citrus breath.

There.  Now I've tasted it plain.  Time to turn it INTO something!  What I've made are two staple gin drinks.  The gin and tonic and the gin martini:

Gin and Tonic:  In a highball glass, over ice, pour 2oz of gin, 3/4 of a glass of tonic water, and add a slice of lime.  Stir and enjoy!

Martini:  Coat a martini glass with extra dry vermouth.  In a shaker combine ice and 3 oz gin.  Shake well and strain into the glass.  Add olives (some like olives with blue cheese, but I think that muddles up the drink).



However you choose to enjoy your gin, Cheers, and have a great summer!



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