To celebrate this popular and refreshing alcoholic tipple, we’ve chosen our favourite gin infusions and cocktails that you can try making at home. Perhaps you’ll even be able to use a few botanicals from the garden to liven up your glass.
Seville Orange and Cardamom Gin
One of our favourites suggested by Mark Diacono in his new book Sour: The Magical Element that Transforms your Cooking. If like him, you buy plentiful of Seville Oranges in order to make your own marmalade, why not try infusing your gin with these refreshing fruits.
Mark suggests slicing the oranges into half moons and along with your cardamom pods, place in a large Kilner jar (roughly 1.5litre) and pour your gin over the top. Let those flavours infuse anywhere between two weeks to two months. Once happy with your concoction, serve with tonic or ginger ale and plenty of ice.
Gardener’s G&T
Our friends at The PIG suggest this twist on the classic Gin and Tonic in their book Tales and Recipes from the Kitchen Garden and Beyond. This cocktail makes the most of what you currently have growing in your garden. Infuse your chosen gin with complementary flavours you have growing such as basil and cucumber or rosemary and ginger. In a highball glass pour elderflower cordial, freshly squeezed lemon juice and your infused gin over ice. Top up with your chosen tonic and garnish with appropriate herbs or leaves. (This adds a sense of occasion we think).
Filthy Martini
Another PIG favourite, this takes the fragrant herb of thyme and the acquired taste of olives to make a powerhouse of a cocktail. Muddle a sprig of thyme with olives in a mixing glass to release their juices. Add a splash of vermouth and sherry and 50ml of dry gin over ice and shake or stir all ingredients together. Strain and serve in a chilled martini glass with garnish.
The beauty of a gin cocktail is that it can be tailored to your taste, whether that’s slightly sweet or bitter and sharp, the possibilities with it really are endless. Create your drinks and share your infusions with us on our social media.
