You all know that I have a thing for Gin. I was a latecomer to the whole gin revival thing as I was adamant I hated it! Only I didn’t I just hate tonic! It was interesting to say the least when I headed to the Gin to my Tonic show in Liverpool last year!

Micaela from Stylish London Living has been kind enough to share with me some absolutely gorgeous gin cocktail recipes that we all know I will definitely be trying out, sooner rather than later! Make sure to check out her blog when you have gotten some GINspiration from this post!

Be GINspired with these Cocktail Recipies

Despite it being one of the trendiest drinks from the last year or so, I have only recently started drinking Gin and I have discovered that there’s more to it than meets the eye. Did you know that Gin is defined as a spirit whose main flavour is juniper berries and it is bottled at no less than 37.5% ABV? 

Gin has a base of ethanol, a neutral grain spirit, with flavourings or ‘botanicals’ added. Botanicals can be any edible herb, spice, fruit, flower, seed or nut. Of course, the main botanical is the juniper berry. Juniper berries are tart and sharp, with a resinous, piney flavour and hints of citrus

It is believed that Gin started life as a medieval herbal tonic when 11th-century Italian monks began flavouring crude spirits with juniper berries. Since Roman times juniper berries had been used as a medicine to cure a wide range of ailments. Seeing as juniper grows in abundance in Italy this is plausible. 

There are several styles of gin; Distilled Gin is ‘regular’ Gin, whereas variations such as London Dry Gin contains less than 0.1g sugar, Contemporary Gin is lighter on juniper and pushes the Gin boundaries using a host of different flavours, Navy strength Gin is at least 57% ABV and Old Tom Gin incorporates sweetness from sugar or honey. 

If you’re looking for ‘real’ Gin, be sure to keep an eye on the alcohol by volume numbers. Having looked through my Gin collection I have come to realise that bottles labelled as Gin Liqueur are actually not ‘real’ Gin – Gin Liqueurs must contain 100g sweetener per litre of finished product, is above 15% ABV and retains a predominant flavour of juniper. 

I have enjoyed trying out a range of different Gins and Gin Liqueurs both on their own or as an ingredient in a cocktail. Nothing beats a cosy night in with a movie and a glass of G&T. Today I am sharing a few of my favourite cocktail recipes in the hopes that you will give Gin a try and be Ginspired! 

Gin Fizz

This is a really quick and simple refreshingly citrus cocktail. You can use any type of gin so play around to find your favourite combination. Soda water is the traditional ‘fizz’ element, however, a trendier version is to use prosecco. 

Equipment:

• Cocktail shaker
• Alcohol measure
• Lemon squeezer
• Strainer
• Highball glass

Ingredients:

• 50ml of your favourite gin
• 25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice (or to taste)
• 15ml simple syrup
• Soda water (or something fizzy)
• Lemon slice, twist or wedge for garnish

Method:

1. Pour the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup into your shaker with ice and shake to combine. 
2. Fill your glass with ice and strain gin mix into your glass.
3. Top up with soda water and add lemon garnish. 

Gin basil smash

Perfect in the summer to accompany al fresco dining or a BBQ, the gin basil smash is a relatively new cocktail which incorporates fresh basil, lemon juice and London dry gin. In 2008 it won the Best New  Cocktail award at The Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. Traditionally this cocktail is made with Hendrick’s gin but as the basil is the main flavour any good quality gin will do. 

Equipment:

• Cocktail shaker
• Muddler (a bit like a pestle) 
• Alcohol measure
• Lemon squeezer
• Strainer and fine strainer
• Any glass

Ingredients:

• 10-12 fresh basil leaves, with a few extra for garnish
• 60ml London Dry Gin
• 25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 15ml simple syrup

Method:

1. Muddle the basil leaves with the lemon juice in the shaker, being sure to bash them well to release maximum flavour.
2. Add remaining ingredients to the shaker with ice and shake vigorously. 
3. Fill your glass with ice and double strain the smash using a regular strainer, then a fine strainer, into the glass. 
4. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Variation:

• Replace basil with coriander for a whole new world of flavour!

Singapore Sling

A classic from the early 20th Century this cocktail is traditionally served with a little umbrella which is perfect for a party! This tiki-fruity style recipe version comes from the modern Raffles Hotel and makes for a sweet fruity hit. 

Equipment:

• Cocktail shaker
• Alcohol measure
• Lime squeezer
• Strainer and fine strainer
• Highball glass

Ingredients:

• 30ml London Dry Gin
• 15ml Cherry brandy liqueur
• 7.5ml triple sec
• 7.5ml Benedictine
• 15ml freshly squeezed lime juice
• 120ml pineapple juice
• 10ml grenadine
• A dash of Angostura bitters
• Soda water
• Maraschino cherry and lemon wedge to garnish 

Method:

1. Shake all ingredients, except for the soda water, together in your shaker with ice.
2. Double strain into your highball glass filled with ice.
3. Top up with soda water. Garnish with Maraschino cherry, lemon wedge and don’t forget to pop in a cocktail umbrella to add some Sling personality!

Micaela combines her love for all things digital and all things creative with a career in digital marketing alongside running her blog Stylish London Living. Micaela has been blogging since 2012  and loves sharing new experiences, products and her passions with her readers.