As some of us eagerly await the imminent reopening of our favourite bars and pubs, we know many gin-lovers have been perfecting their gin cocktails from home, and will continue to do so throughout the summer.
You can always trust us to take an inventive approach to our recipes – and it helps that our London Dry Gin lends itself to a variety of cocktails, with its bold yet versatile taste and smooth finish. Here we show you how you can surprise and delight friends and family by substituting out rum, vodka and tequila to craft some alternative gin cocktails.
DESIGNED FOR BRUNCH: RED SNAPPER
Swap your brunch-time Bloody Mary for a restorative ginny Red Snapper. This ginny alternative is just as punchy and peppery as its vodka companion and, thankfully, is built in the glass – we know that shaking isn’t going to help your sore head! Simply fill a highball glass with ice and add 50ml Sipsmith London Dry Gin, 6 dashes of Worcestershire sauce, 3 dashes of Tabasco, top with tomato juice and a squeeze of lemon juice before stirring and garnishing with celery salt and freshly ground black pepper.
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS: LEMON DRIZZLE 75
The French would call it ‘je ne sais quoi’, we call it Lemon Drizzle Gin. And it’s this delicious drop – made with sun-dried lemon peels, lemon verbena and vapour-infused hand-peeled lemons – that we use to add a little citrus chic to a sparkling French 75. Combine 35ml Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle Gin with 20ml freshly squeezed lemon juice and 10ml sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker that’s filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a Champagne flute or coupe, then top with a dash of chilled bubbles – either Champagne or prosecco. Et voilà! An effortlessly easy, but ever-so elegant, Lemon Drizzle 75 gin cocktail.
INDULGENT TWIST ON A CLASSIC: ORANGE & CACAO OLD FASHIONED
With its junipery marmalade nose and rich, chocolately palate, our Orange & Cacao Gin adds an indulgent flavour combination to the classic Old Fashioned cocktail. Craft yours by stirring together 30ml Sipsmith Orange and Cacao Gin, 30ml bourbon and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters in an ice-filled rocks glass, and garnish with an orange twist. Perfect to sip on a summer
BRITISH BERRIES MEET A CUBAN CLASSIC: SLOE-JITO
Run out of rum? No problem. This summer, give your mojito a ginny twist with a Sloe Gin cocktail that’s bursting with berry aromatics – expect to detect redcurrant and ripe winter fruit on the nose, and cassis and cherry on the palate. To muddle your Sloe-jito, add 50ml Sipsmith Sloe Gin, 20ml each of lemon and apple juice, and a handful of fresh mint leaves into a highball glass that’s filled with ice. Mix with a bar spoon to combine, and garnish with a mint sprig.
TAKE OUT THE TEQUILA: CHILLI & LIME MARGARITA
Our limited-edition Chilli & Lime Gin promises to add a splash of spice to this popular summertime sip. For a refreshing gin cocktail with dash of fiery flair, pour 35ml Sipsmith Chilli & Lime Gin, 15 ml Cointreau, 20ml freshly squeezed lime juice and 10ml sugar syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Add a slice of fresh chilli to turn up the heat, if desired, before shaking to combine the ingredients. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your chilled cocktail glasses before dipping into sea salt to coat. Strain your Chilli & Lime Margarita into a glass for an incredibly moreish sip.
