Two Palates, One Passion—Wine, Spirits, Food, and the Stories Between

SOMM&SOMM

Category: Gin Drinks

  • Trendy Cocktails: Pineapple Sage Gimlet

    Trendy Cocktails: Pineapple Sage Gimlet

    In the world of cocktails, there are classics that have withstood the test of time, mixing tradition with an enduring sense of style and taste. Among these, the Gimlet stands as a testament to the prevailing allure of simplicity and flavor. Its history, shrouded in mystery and filled with intrigue, paints a vivid picture of an era gone by while continuing to captivate the palates of modern cocktail enthusiasts.

    The Gimlet’s origin story is a matter of debate, with two popular narratives competing for recognition. The most widely accepted tale dates back to the early 20th century, a time when the British Royal Navy was combating the scourge of scurvy among its sailors. To combat the disease, they needed to find a way to make lime juice more palatable. It is said that they began mixing lime cordial with gin to create a refreshing and healthful libation. Thank you Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Desmond Gimlette 😉 This concoction became known as the “Gimlet” – a name that may have been derived from the tool used to tap barrels of spirits on ships, known as a “gimlet” or from the name of the resourceful Rear-Admiral–you decide.

    The alternative origin story places the Gimlet’s birth during the Prohibition era in the United States. Some credit it to a 1928 book by Harry McElhone, a bartender at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris. According to this narrative, the Gimlet was created as a simple and delicious way to mask the harsh taste of homemade bathtub gin. Whether it emerged in the Navy or as a clandestine elixir during the dry days of Prohibition, the Gimlet’s timeless appeal is undeniable.

    Aside from its humble beginnings, the Gimlet has become the epitome of classic cocktails. The simplicity of this cocktail is the perfect canvas for creativity. This is exactly the inspiration for our Pineapple Sage Gimlet. Fresh aromatic sage, and a bright crisp gin is key.

    Pineapple Sage Gimlet

    2 Sage Leaves (muddled)
    3/4 oz. Simple Syrup
    1 oz. Lime Juice
    1 1/4 oz. Pineapple Juice
    1 1/2 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin

    Muddle sage leaves with a splash of simple syrup, add the additional simple syrup, lime juice, pineapple juice, and gin. Shake for 20-30 seconds. Serve in a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a sage leaf

    Enjoy 😉

  • Trendy Cocktails: Singapore Sling

    Trendy Cocktails: Singapore Sling

    There are many theories on the origin of this very trendy cocktail–the Singapore Sling. The most popular and least disputed involves an alchemist disguised as a bartender at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore 😉

    At the start of the 20th century, a bartender named Ngiam Tong Boon working at the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel, decided to create a cocktail specifically for the ladies. At the time, it was not proper for ladies to consume alcohol in public. Boon’s idea was to disguise the cocktail as fruit juice… and the rest is history.

    Over the years I have seen (and tasted) many variations of this cocktail. Versions served in asian restaurants and high-traffic tourist areas are bright red in color and sickening sweet. My favorite version pays homage to the originator, and at the same time introduces a better balance between sweet, sour and bitter. Get your bar tools ready… here we go.

    Singapore Sling

    2 oz. Gin

    1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

    1 oz. Cherry Brandy

    1 oz . Pineapple Juice

    1/2 oz. Cointreau

    1/2 oz. Benedictine D.O.M.

    1/4 oz. Grenadine (I make my own)

    Dash of Angostura bitters

    The French-produced Benedictine liquor brings herb and spice notes that seem to amplify the already complex flavors of gin. Cointreau tastes very different than its French cousin–Grand Marnier, and shouldn’t be substituted.

    Place all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake until well chilled (about 30 seconds). Pour into a chilled martini glass (yes, that’s what I said), garnish with a cherry or three and enjoy. This is a 6 oz. (ok… just over 6 oz.) cocktail, so I prefer serving in a chilled sour glass. I really like the “drink specific” line of glasses from Ridel. The Sour Cocktail Glass is perfect for this drink. 

    Enjoy!

  • Trendy Cocktails: Slo Gin Fig Martini

    Trendy Cocktails: Slo Gin Fig Martini

    As for martinis, there are two distinct and very vocal camps. Historians and cocktail purists believe that a true martini can only be made with gin. Vodka lovers, of course, stand completely opposed with their many variations of the vodka martinis. And according to James Bond, they should be shaken… not stirred. Personally, I only shake cocktails that contain fruit juice. Always shake a Cosmopolitan, but never a Manhattan 😉

    The Slo Gin Fig Martini is a riff on the Vesper Cocktail first introduced in Ian Fleming’s James Bond classic–Casino Royal. The addition of Slo Gin and Figenza Mediterranean Fig Vodka creates another level of complexity.

    The Slo Gin Fig Martini

    1 3/4 oz. Dry Gin

    1/2 oz. Vodka

    1/2 oz. Figenza Mediterranean Fig Vodka

    1/2 oz. Lillet Blanc

    1/4 oz. Slo Gin

    Place all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake. Double strain into a coupe-style or martini glass. Add a long slice of lemon peel and enjoy.

    Cheers!