Gin Lovers Unite!

[Brad Bowers]

I'm with you, Hawkcigar. This idea of miniscule amounts, to no amount of vermouth in a Martini is a mid-century aberration that altered the original, classic recipe of a martini beyond what I think can safely be called a martini. If you want gin, drink gin; if you want a martini, add the vermouth, dammit. Be a man! Don't be a pretentious snob and make noises about "open the vermouth in the same room," as you put it.

I've been trying various gins as I could afford them over the past few years. Started with Gordon's years ago, but since then I've had Broker's, Plymouth, New Amsterdam, and a few others I can't remember right now. I've settled on Bombay Sapphire for my martinis. I bought a bottle of Tanqueray last week but discovered it's better for gimlets and gin & tonics. It's just too agressive for a martini. If I want a peppery bite in my drink, I'll drink rye. However, I'm going to alter my ratio of gin to vermouth from 4:1 to 3:1 to see if the extra vermouth tames the gin. I haven't tried the Rangpur, but can see where it would be good in a gimlet and gin & tonic.

Brad

 

[LocktownDog]

Excellent, Brad!

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I have to agree with Brad, no Vermouth, no Martini. I'm a classic / traditional kind of guy. In the interests of full disclosure, I HATE VERMOUTH, so I don't even drink Martini's. I do, however love Gin and Tonic.

Later y'all

 

[Ethan Bentley]

I'm inclined to agree on the Martini point although my preferred ratio is 5:1 it does depend on what vermouth you use. If I was using Lillet I'd use 4:1 but if I was using some home-made vermouth I'd go for 6:1 as the flavour is more intense.

I think New Amsterdam is great, it's a shame it isn't available over here.

 

[BinkieBaumont]

[video=youtube;srk1iSz_zi4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srk1iSz_zi4&feature=related[/video]

 

[Twill]

Just popping in here, to say hello. I'll admit I'm more of a whiskey/bourbon/scotch drinker, but I must share my girlfriend's drink.

She just discovered gin, and now loves it. Her drink of choice has been gin & tonic. However her twist is she includes the lime, but then throws in a fresh basil leaf from her garden. I must admit, I was skeptical, but I tried it, and it was delicious. If you give it a whirl, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

[video=youtube;srk1iSz_zi4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srk1iSz_zi4&feature=related[/video]

Ah Xavier - he gave me a fine pocket watch once - what a gent!

 

[Oldsarge]

I drink very little in the way of hard liquor, sticking mostly to beer and red wine. However, there are times . . .

I remember coming off safari for the first time. The wife and I had an agreement. My vacation would be eleven days on safari and hers would begin on the night train from Bulwayo, Zimbabwe to Victoria Falls. We spent two nights there and then flew on to London to complete her ambitions.

I had been advised by the professional hunter that when one is in Vic Falls one simply must order a drink at the bar. I was looking forward to it but when I arrived at the storied old Victorian hotel, I found that the bar had been removed! Needless to say, I was in a bit of a funk so I sat down in one of the luxuriously padded rattan chairs on the porch, still in my safari hat, shirt, shorts and boots. I can tell you I attracted some odd looks from the other tourists . . .

As I sat nursing my grudge, from behind me came this dark brown basso voice, "Would sir care for something to drink?" I looked up. You could have shaved with the crease of his trousers and used his shoes as the shaving mirrors. I thought for a moment. I looked out over forty acres of lawn that was inhabited by wart hog, baboons, mongoose and some non-discript duiker to the spray from the Falls and Cecil Rhodes Iron Bridge that still crosses the chasm. "A gin and tonic, please." "At once, sir." It was sublime. In fact, I ordered a second. Nothing else would have done.

 

[Corto]

A few of my favorite things. That's a Pink Gin, center stage.
I've been drinking Bombay exclusively for years. I tried Hendricks Gin but found it too cucumber-y. I'm slowly trawling through this thread, but if anyone wants to give me their two cents about Plymouth, I'd be interested to hear about it.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

When I first saw the pic I thought it was a cocktial with nutella!
I quite like the Plymouth followed closely by the Beefeater at 47%. They both have quite a pleasant dryness. For what it's worth in The Man With The Golden Gun Bond orders Beefeater for his pink Gin.

Then there is Lebensstern...

 

[davidraphael]

I had always drunk Bombay Blue Sapphire...

...until I discovered Hendrick's...

That is now my favourite gin by far - an incredible drink!
At first I wasn't sure if I was going to get to grips with the cucumber (instead of the traditional lime), but it works perfectly! True art in a glass!

 

[fortworthgal]

^ Same with us, we generally bought Bombay Sapphire, but the last time we made a liquor store run, we bought a bottle of Hendrick's. We both agree it has a very unique flavor! I think it will definitely be our new "house" gin at home. Plus, the bottle looks pretty and vintage.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

^ Same with us, we generally bought Bombay Sapphire, but the last time we made a liquor store run, we bought a bottle of Hendrick's. We both agree it has a very unique flavor! I think it will definitely be our new "house" gin at home. Plus, the bottle looks pretty and vintage.

For folks in the UK with a fondness for cucumber the new Sipsmith Summer Cup is quite tasty.
Has anyone from the US tried Sipsmith Gin and is Pimm's or any alternative available state-side?

Some thoughts here: http://summerfruitcup.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/sipsmithsummercup/

I also tried Cascade Mountain from Oregon that was rather interesting. It has only one botanical too. So if you like Juniper...

 

[Puzzicato]

I am not conveniently close to any of those branches of Majestic! Such a shame.

 

[PADDY]

Been trying some of MIDDLETON 1936 (Cucumber Gin) with tonic and a trace of lemon around the glass rim. VERY refreshing and reaches corners of the Empire other Gins just don't seem to reach

 

[PADDY]

The MIDDLETON 1936 is very exclusive - as in, you cannot get it beyond my cocktail cabinet. I took a good sized cucumber, skinned it, took out the seedy centre (as that would be bitter), cut it into strips then cubed into 1/2 inches. Popped into the contents of a budget Gin (put it in a sealed container and leave in a cool and dark place in the house). After four days, give it a stir. After a week to ten days, sive the contents through linen or a good sive. Decant into bottle and enjoy over the next week or two! A very refreshing summertime drink.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

Paddy I made a batch of Cucumber Gin to your recipe and let's just say it was a BIG hit! Kudos to you Sir.

Have any of my American cousins tried Nolet Silver dry gin yet? I've juts done a review but am keen to know what thoughts are over the pond.

 

[1SG]

The ‘perfect’ martini
(For me.)

Take a bottle of your favorite gin.

Pour out a jigger.

Get rid of the jigger; almost my favorite part.

Fill the jigger with vermouth and pour it in the bottle of gin.
(I like mine dry)

Swirl or shake the bottle to get a mix.

Stick the bottle in the freezer.

Wait a day.


Next day:

Offer a martini to someone, or yourself.

Set the martini glass on the bar; put an olive on a toothpick and in the glass.

(You should keep the olives in the fridge.)

Take the bottle out of the freezer and fill the glass.

The outside of the glass frosts over and your martini is ice cold.

I think it’s nice.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

I like the sound of that, must try it sometime.

This weekend I have been experimenting with Bathtub Gin by master of malt. For a compound Gin it was superb, for any gin was still pretty good.

 

[Miss sofia]

Well it's Sloe gin making time here in Blighty. Anyone else have a penchant for the stuff?