The Gin Thread

When does the intervention start?

 

I think Tanqueray Ten is the best value. Great gin, been drinking it for years. Sad to say that I won't be drinking it anymore because it is owned by Diageo who is shutting down the Johnnie Walker factory in Kilmarnock. I have half a bottle to go until I switch to Magellan or Hendricks.

 

has anyone tried to infuse their gin. i enjoy sapphire with the pronounced botanicals so i though i'd try and see if i could make some. i used seagrams london dry and added a few juniper berries, a cardoman pod, a bit of star anise and a pinch of lemon and orange zest. left to steep for a few days and the results were tasty.

 

Switched from Tanqueray To Sapphire years ago and haven't found one I like better.
On a recommendation tried Hendrick's, not for me, it languishes in the liquor cabinet. I'm too cheap to use it for mixing.

 

That cap will also fit a fresh bottle

 

LOL

Years ago I drew a line every day on a 4500 ml bottle of Johnnie Walker. It was Christmas time. I only got to draw 2 lines. !!

That bottle was cool. I had a pouring tilt stand thing so you didn't have to lift it.

Yeah save that cap

 

ok, here ya go.

Wife's favorite gin drink.

In an martini shaker with cracked ice pour:

2 shots gin
1 shot lemon juice (fresh squeezed is best, but "Real Lemon" if you must.)
1/2 shot simple syrup (If you don't know how to make simple syrup, it's equal parts water and sugar heat the water until the sugar melts, then store in the fridge.)

Pour into tall glass over cracked ice.

Drizzle a little Chambord down the middle.

Drink till you drop, use a straw, 2 or 3 should do the trick.

Can't recall the name of it, dammit. But Mrs. dm_n_stuff loves 'em.

D

 

Thank you dm. Going to make some simple syrup and surprise the wife. Gin drinks and chambord drinks are her favorite. To mix the two? I will be a hero!


Thank you!

 

Depending on how much she likes Chambord, I'd adjust to taste, we use a little drizzle, just enough to add some color, but my oldest kid uses quite a bit, must have a sweet tooth.

That's the part you can mess with to get the flavor JUST right.

Oh, and it's called a BRAMBLE.

 

Old Raj--expensive, but amazing. Especially when combined with FeverTree tonic.

Plymouth--go to everyday gin.

Also Tanqueray (regular, 10, and Rangpur), Bulldog, Dry Fly. Hedricks not my favorite. I always felt Sapphire was a vodka drinker's gin.

Rangpur is great when added to a G&T--only about a teaspoon though--adds another dimension in flavor.

 

I'm by no means a gin scholar, so good to see my favorites are well liked here.

everyday gin: Gordon's London dry
special occasions: Hendrick's, Tanq Reg, 10

Tried a couple very good ones in Amsterdam, can't remember the names though :/

 

Most London pubs stock/ serve as there 1st choice Gordons.

 

Guys, guys, guys..

What tonic are you using? My eyes were recently opened to the fact that Schweppes has near-complete market domination and that I've never really tried a G&T without it (maybe just a generic store brand here and there).

I've tried Fever Tree and Fentimans (my fav) and will pick up some Q soon.

http://www.fever-tree.com/news.php
http://www.drinkfentimans.com/#pi
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/29/dining/29toni.html

As a loyal G&T guy for quite a while (I'm familiar with most brands listed in this thread) it definitely put a new spin on it for me in a "oh, that's what I was missing" kinda way.

Give it a shot and report back..

 

Wow, that's some good timing. Enjoy!!

 

If at Whole Foods, get some of their 365 (store brand) tonic. It is sweetened with cane sugar, not HFCS, and is good. To me, I like different tonics with different gins. I am in the process of making my own (the cinchona bark extract is settling in the downstairs fridge)--I'm hoping I can adjust the flavor and sweetness profile to something that is "just right".

 

I like Gordon's with Smirnoff Vodka in my martini's..........Tanq gin alone mixed with lime and water gets me really sheetfaced though........gotta be careful.

 

They don't list "move to another state" as one of the options...

 

I have started doing my gin & tonics with 1/2 tonic and 1/2 club soda. I like the lighter flavor.

 

I need to try TEN again. The last time, I was coming from Bombay Sapphire, and was not overwhelmed.

But then again, I was put off by Tanqueray the first time I tried it, but I now consider it my favorite. It is the best for gin and tonics.


I learned a few years back, that I am incapable of drinking cheap gin. The sensation is enough for me to put down the drink. Good gin, on the other hand, is another story.

As mixing with tonic is my preferred way to drink gin, I have to say, I have not been picky with my tonic. Usually I will use Schweppes, but sometimes it depends on what the house uses.

The only requirement I have when it comes to tonic is that is HAS to have Quinine. I know that it is not tonic with out it, but I have seen bottles of "Quinine free" tonic. :ugh: