While some people choose the month of January to avoid drinking alcohol, GIN-uary is on a different end of the spectrum. The month is meant to celebrate gin as a versatile spirit that offers all sorts of opportunities to explore unique and interesting flavours and styles of gin, as well as recipes that can be made using it.
And GIN-uary is the perfect time to make such explorations and discoveries!
History of Ginuary
Gin is a spirit that has a rich and unique history that begins in Europe. Originally used for its medical effects, the name may have come from a Flemish word “genever” or “jenever” and then it was likely shortened to simply become “gin”, as it is known today.
While it certainly has some roots within the Dutch culture, some historians believe that gin goes even further back. It may even extend as far as the 11th century, starting with monks in Southern Italy who made the spirit from the juniper trees.
Gin moved across the continent and then came into popularity in England in the 17th century.
Read below for easy gin cocktail recipes:
Bramble
You’ll need:
40ml gin
20ml sugar syrup
20ml lemon juice
10ml crème de mure
Berries or lemon zest – to garnish
Tip the gin, sugar syrup and lemon juice together in a shaker, then pour this over crushed ice and drizzle with the crème de mure. Garnish with lemon zest or fresh seasonal berries.
Elderflower collins
You’ll need:
50ml gin
20ml lemon juice
10ml sugar syrup
10ml elderflower cordial
Soda water – for topping up
Herb sprigs – to garnish
Shake the gin with the lemon juice, sugar and a dash of elderflower cordial in a cocktail shaker. Pour over rock ice and top up with soda water. Garnish with a sprig of your favourite herb.
Negroni
You’ll need:
25ml gin
25ml sweet vermouth
25ml Campari
1 strip of peeled orange zest
Pour the gin, vermouth and Campari into a rocks of glass filled with ice. Stir until it is diluted to your taste then twist the orange peel over the glass to release the oils and drop it into the drink before serving.
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