LibAtions
the Libation Lounge
by Scott M. Deitche
Simply, Gin. gin has always been a polarizing spirit, often saddled with a bad rap. One of my favorite artists is William hogarth, a renowned englishman of the 18th century who worked in a variety of mediums, including prints. Perhaps his most recognized piece is gin Lane. Completed in 1751, gin Lane is a work of deft complexity, biting social commentary, and a wholesale indictment of the ‘evils’ of gin. the Lane is a place where rioting, lawlessness, disease, and death rampant. run gin Lane was an illustration of the gin Craze, the where english government outlawed foreign spirits to encourage home-grown distilling with intended the effect of buoying the price of grain for farmers. What ensued was an explosion of cheap gin shops peddling low-quality, high-alcohol libations for the populace. and a further blow to gin’s reputation But, for me, gin is a complex and evocative drink. and the parallel to the seedy reputation of low-quality gin is the snobbish sophistication of high-end gin, particularly in england. even James Bond, who is often featured ordering a vodka martini (the ultimate blasphemy), actually drinks his fair share of gin. Of late, gin has been enjoying resurgence in popularity in america. Spearheading this trend has been the rise of craft distillers who have taken gin to the next level, bringing both classic elegance and bold experimentation to the spirit. For many, the king and queen of popular gin are tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire. Both are excellent in a variety of cocktails and on their own. Beefeater is an acceptable well spirit as well, but go any further down and you might find yourself in gin Lane. a few other straightforward brands are on my list of go-to gins. Maxim’s is a sweet and smooth gin from France. new amsterdam is a low-priced dry gin that works surprisingly well in gin-based cocktails. it lacks any bold flavor, so it’s a good bet for gin novices. But it’s well worth seeking out some of the newer brands on the market and giving a try to the craft distilleries. Last February i stopped by the Corsair Distillery in nashville and sampled their signature small batch gin. it’s a bold gin and not for the faint-hearted. it has notes of citrus and heavy juniper flavor. Death’s Door gin is produced in Wisconsin. it’s a vibrant and layered spirit with a smooth finish. Some of the other excellent small batch gins include greylock gin from Massachusetts, and Junipero from San Francisco new gins are emerging all the time. With each distiller putting their unique spin on the libation, the resurgent gin trend is taking this classic spirit to new levels. So put away the vodka, expand your libation palette, and try a few of these classic gin cocktails: 10
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The Gimlet 2 oz. gin ½ oz. lime juice Add into a mixer with ice. Shake. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lime. (Rose’s is favored)
Tom Collins 2 oz gin 2 oz lemon juice ½ oz simple syrup Club soda Slice of lemon Cherry Add gin, syrup, and lemon juice in highball glass with ice. Top with club soda and stir. Garnish with lemon and cherry.
The Vesper 3 measures of Gordon’s 1 of vodka ½ a measure of Kina Lillet Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?" The Vesper as described by James Bond in the 1953 novel, Casino Royale.