New Wave Gin

Summer is here and the old Gin and Tonic has never gone down better! However these days there's more to gin than just martinis and G&Ts. New blends using surprising ingredients are the current favourites of the cocktail crowd as a ‘Gin Revival’ hits the beverage world. A host of ‘new wave’ gins with a little less of the juniper berry that we are used to and a few more botanicals to soften the edge have hit the markets. We are seeing the infusion of rose petals, cucumber, wild water mint, violets, turmeric, lavender, saffron, and a multitude of fresh fruit botanicals alongside the dried variety. For the environmentally aware there’s also ‘organic’ gins hitting the shelves and it seems that gin is once again the epitome of sophistication, thanks to the unique new combinations of herb, spice and citrus flavourings that give each premium gin its distinctness. For a fabulous look at the historic cache and complex possibilities of Gin have a look at the article in last weeks Guardian (UK). Oh, and you have to love these wise words from Dorothy Parker (American writer and poet) inspired by a gin soaked martini: "I love to drink martinis, two at the very most. After three I'm under the table, after four I'm under my host."