Thursday, August 7, 2008

Gin is sin...and I like it.

I'm not really sure where the vodka craze came from. Some say its roots lie in the deadened taste buds of modern America, some say it's just the result of excellent advertising on the part of TBWA (on behalf of Absolut, of course). According to those theories, Americans are either without taste or just plain malleable.

Either way, I blame the vodka craze for the fact that I didn't even taste gin until my mid-20's. My mother never had it in the house, and I grew up viewing it as the drink of degenerate, 19th century Englishmen and -women.

For shame, truly, because gin is AWESOME. There is no better word to describe the fantastic concoction of alcohol and herbs that is a quality gin. Right now, I'm enjoying a gin martini (which, by definition, requires vermouth, and if you don't think so, you're wrong) - 3 ounces of Plymouth, a tablespoon on Noilly dry, stirred vigorously with ice, and garnished with some lemon zest (I don't really like olives.). And it's fabulous - complex, herby, smooth, delicious.

So please, please - next time you're out, stop yourself from ordering that vodka soda and go for a gin and tonic instead (assuming the place has decent gin - most places at least have Tanqueray, which makes a good G&T). You'll be thanking me.

10 comments:

Louisa Edwards said...

What's your favorite gin? I love Tanqueray 10, heavy on the juniper.

Anonymous said...

Oh no. Don't talk up the gin! It's supposed to be a secret that only us ex-colonials know about. That's how we keep all the best brands for ourselves!

Stacey Snacks said...

I am a vodka drinker who has just discovered gin. I am LOVING Hendricks, so cucumbery and herbacious! beautious!
stacey snacks

Meg Blocker said...

Oh yeah! Hendrick's is really good - particularly when served as part of a G&T and garnished with a slice of cucumber.

My favorite for martinis right now is Plymouth - it's just so smooth, which means you can actually taste the vermouth a bit. I also love Tanqueray for a G&T...

Sorry, Tom, I just can't stop!

Dave said...

I love gin. It's sad that American tastes have become so corrupted that you need to say "gin martini" when referring to the classic drink because of widespread bastardizations like "appletinis" and the use of vodka.

Meg Blocker said...

What's sadder, I think, is having to specify that you want vermouth in your martini - the other night I ordered a Plymouth martini up with a twist, and the bartender didn't even put vermouth in the shaker. I had to stop and correct her.

Ridiculous.

Anonymous said...

Try this you will love it - it is part of our Beijing BBQ Party tips, a great way to celebrate the Olympics and its host city.


Lychees & Flowers - by Mixologist, Dalio Calado

3 fresh peeled Lychees
1.5 oz Bulldog Gin
1.5 oz St Germain

Mix all of the ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake vigorously.
Serve in a chilled martini glass and garnish with a fresh Lychee.

Sally Big Woods said...

I'm actually not a huge gin fan, but I Love Bluecoat: http://www.bluecoatgin.com/
made in Philly!

Keep up the great work on the blog.

Meg Blocker said...

Oh, cool, Sally! And I see it's available in Manhattan...I will have to pick up a bottle.

Thanks, Dawn. I love gin, I love St. Germain, and I love lychees. This seems like the cocktail for me.

Anonymous said...

I love gin. Gordon's is my favorite. Beefeater second. Growing up in England, I drank this quite a bit..

If you want something different, that is gin based, try Pimms.

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