Happy Anniversary!

Spirited Texas is one year old! We’ve enjoyed introducing you to classic cocktails and new drinks along with some pretty tasty food to accompany them.

We hope you’ve had fun trying some of these cocktails and we’re looking forward to bringing more Spirited Texas your way. ~~Lynda & Kay

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Top 10 Gins

I decided to recap some of my favorite things in honor of our one year anniversary and for me that’s Gin, I came up with my Top 10 Gins and have included two of my favorite Gin cocktails.

This was a tough list for me.  My first list included twenty-five gins.  As much as I love gin, I figured all twenty-five could not be my favorites. so I have narrowed it down to ten favorites and here they are….

1. TANQUERAY – This has been my number one for a long time. it is classic London Dry Gin. It is juniper forward, with the classic citrusy botanical blend. Great for anything Gin !!!
2. BEEFEATER – Ok, so these first two may seem a little cliche`, but hey, they  are both classics. There is the usual juniper here (you can’t have gin without juniper), almond and liquorice root round out the flavour profile.
3. FORD’S – Not your basic London Dry Gin. Grapefruit, Bitter orange and Jasmine bring the unique taste to this favorite. Makes a perfect Martini.
4. CALEDONIA SPIRITS – BARR HILL RESERVE TOM CAT GIN – That’s a mouthful, but big gin deserves a big name. Juniper forward, honey notes in this Barreled in American Oak Casks. A barrel aged gin, you just have to try it.  A departure from the London Dry gins. Sipping gin with a wonderful golden color.
5. THE BOTANISTS – Another big gin, layered and complex. Citrus, delicate menthol and good spice. distilled with an impressive thirty-one botanicals. Nine classic and twenty-two locally sourced botanicals from the Scottish Isle of Islay.
6. HAYMAN’S OLD TOM (Green Label)- This is true English Gin, with rich flavour. Citrus and juniper with a classic old school sweetness. Soft spice and subtle earthy notes. Another great Martini !!
7. HENDRIX – A unique double distilling method give this herb forward gin its smoothness. Besides the usual Juniper, Elderflower, caraway seed, chamomile and coriander seeds give this  gin it’s very interesting taste. This one is different. Give it a try.
8. GREENALL’S LONDON DRY GIN – This is an easy drinking spirit, great for everyday mixing. A little coriander seed, orange/lemon and cassia compliment the juniper in this one.
9. WESTERN SON – (A Texas Gin) – You really get the freshness of the major botanicals in this Texas distilled gin. Fresh juniper, cucumber, bergamot orange, grapefruit jump out at you. Great for all those craft  cocktails using cucumber and grapefruit along with other fresh ingredients.
10. OLD PLYMOUTH – Smooth creamy mouth feel, with seven botanicals including juniper, orris root, green cardamom, angelica root, coriander, orange and lemon peels. A very old school blend leaning toward a genever style of sweetness.

So there it is. That was not easy, but I think it is a great start for any cocktail enthusiast to learn more about this spirit. I still love a Classic Gin Martini . I hope I have inspired some of you to at least try a Gin cocktail. ~~Kay

CLASSIC GIN MARTINI

• 2.25 ounces Gin (You can use ny one you choose, but I prefer Beefeater, Ford’s, or Tanqueray

• 0.75 ounces Dry Vermouth

• Garnish: Olives

• Glass: Chilled Coupe

In a mixing glass, stir gin and vermouth with ice until very cold. Strain into chilled coupe and add a couple of olive on a skewer as garnish.

NEGRONI

• 1.25 ounces Beefeater Gin

• 1.25 ounces Cocchi Sweet Vermouth

• 1.25 ounces Campari

• Glass: Rocks or Highball

Combine all ingredients in mixing glass, add ice and stir until very cold. Strain into a rocks or high ball glass with fresh ice.

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A Look Back at a Few Favorites

I decided to revisit a few of my favorite posts. Just click on the links in the images to go to the post. Enjoy! ~~Lynda

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Thanks for hanging out with us here at Spirited Texas. We’ll be back soon with more Cocktails, Inspirations and Accompaniments!