Such is the popularity of gin, you could be forgiven for thinking every day is World Gin Day, but Saturday June 14th is the official date.
Gin is actually the UKs National Sprit, and it has very recently overtaken whisky as the most popular spirit in the country with almost 100 million bottles sold each year…that’s an awful lot of gin!
Here in Surrey we have one of the most successful brands in Silent Pool, distilled just a few miles from Mandolay in Alfold, near Shere. The story of Silent Pool Gin is a great example of why gin has taken the world by storm, produced in small batches using fresh local spring water and bags of talent and experience, the resultant taste is unique to Silent Pool.
Similar local distilleries have popped up all over the country, with very few places not producing their own ‘local’ versions of the spirit, but what’s the history of gin, and why has it become so popular?
The second part is easy to answer, it’s popular because it tastes so good, on its own, in cocktails, or of course in the great British Gin and Tonic.
As for the history, this most English of spirits has its roots in 17th century Netherlands, where some very inventive Dutch alchemists figured out how to distil spirits from grain, so let’s raise a glass and say ‘Proost’ to those clever old Dutch.
But that’s enough history and trivia, let’s get on with the drinking!
Here are a couple of our favourite gin cocktails for you to enjoy at home, or of course, in Bar 36 where our trained team will mix you a perfect long drink to enjoy on the terrace.
Negroni
Pour equal measures of Gin, Vermouth, and Campari into a mixing glass or jug with ice, stir well until the outside of the jug feels cold.
Strain into a tumbler, add a single fresh ice cube and garnish with a slice of orange.
Martini
Mix Vodka and Gin in a 2:1.5 ratio with a generous amount of ice cubes, then shake or stir (Mr Bond always had his ‘shaken not stirred’), garnish with lemon peel twists and 4 green olives.
The Tom Collins
Equal measures of Gin and Lemon Juice, half a measure of Sugar Syrup, and a dash of Bitters shaken with a generous amount of fresh ice for around 15 seconds, strained into a highball glass and garnished with a lemon slice, and a Maraschino Cherry.
You can find more gin recipes on our Gin Menu in Bar 36, where there’s no need to wait until the 14th of June to enjoy your favourites.