Gin is making a wave and a comeback in the drinking scene in India. With the boom in gin lovers, homegrown gin brands in India, it’s the perfect time to try the juniper spirit. If you’re already a fan and missing World Gin Day (June 10) already, then these cocktails are just the right ones for you.
Try these gin cocktail recipes, recommended by F&B industry insiders in Kolkata and abroad…
Curry Highball
Shared by Ali Hamdan, Head Mixologist and Beverage Manager at Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa, the Curry Highball combines tropical flavours, giving you a taste of southern India and the Maldives in one boozy glass.
Ingredients
- Gin 60 ml (Beefeater 24 is recommended, but you can use any gin)
- Fresh curry leaves 3
- Passion fruit puree 20ml
- Pressed lemon juice 20ml
- Simple syrup 15ml
- Tepache 90ml (Alternatively, can use ginger beer or kombucha)
Method
- Muddle and shake
- Garnish with dehydrated pineapple, curry leaves
- Serve in a highball glass
Kumiko
This one is a must-try for the summer, and again comes recommended by Ali Hamdan. With citrusy and mint notes, it brings a burst of blended flavours your way, that perfectly complement your favourite gin.
Ingredients
- Gin 40 ml (Beefeater 24 is recommended but you can use a different brand)
- Clarified melon, grapefruit and yuzu blend 40ml (Alternatively, you can use calamansi or a similar sweet-sour lemony component)
- Mint cordial 5ml
- Elderflower syrup 5ml
- Finger lime 1tsp
Method
- First, muddle the finger lime in a shaker
- Add the rest of the ingredients and fill the shaker with ice
- Shake well, strain, and pour over ice.
- To garnish use a banana leaf and finger lime, finished with a pump of sakura or cherry blossom perfume
Tian Shang
Tiang Shang, a fruit mix with vodka and gin has the sweet-tart flavours from the raspberry, and comes from Jonaki Ganguly, Sift Manager Bar, Yauatcha, Kolkata.
Sharing on how well gin is performing in Kolkata, he said, “Nowadays, most of the young people prefer gin and most of the cocktail menus are dominated about 60 per cent by gin-based cocktails.Whether it's straight up or on the rocks, shaken or stirred into a cocktail there is no denying that gin is one of the fastest growing spirits in the world.”
Ingredients
- Fresh raspberries 4-5
- Gin 60ml
- Vodka 15ml
- Lemon juice 15ml
- Raspberry liqueur 15ml
- Simple syrup 10 ml
- Elderflower foam (optional)
Method
- Lightly muddle the fresh raspberries in a mixing glass
- Add gin, vodka, lemon juice, raspberry liqueur, and sugar syrup to the muddled raspberries
- Shake well and double-strain the cocktail in a sherry or coupe glass
- Top it with elderflower foam and garnish with fresh whole raspberries
Toast to Calcutta
A classic G&T with the flavour of gondhoraj — what could be more Kolkata than that. With the aroma and flavour of the classic gondhoraj, this is tribute to the Calcutta’s ever-lasting connection with Gin. The recipe was shared by the team of Monkey Bar, Kolkata.
Ingredients
- Gin 60ml
- Homemade gondhoraj lemon cordial (an easy combination of lemon juice, sugar and water)
- Tonic water to top up
- Ice cubes
- Gondhoraj wedge (for garnish, optional)
Method
- Fill a glass with ice cubes, then add the gin
- Pour in the homemade cordial and gently stir to combine the ingredients
- Top up the glass with tonic water, and give it a final gentle stir
- Garnish with a gondhoraj wedge if desired
Hugo
This Italian cocktail is known for its light, floral, summer-perfect flavours from the elderflower, mint and prosecco. The recipe is shared by the team of Fabbrica.
Highlighting the relevance of gin in present times, Naman Dhandhania, Creative Director at Fabbrica, said, “Over the last few years, gin has superseded vodka in the F&B space. Due to its increased popularity amongst the youth and its highly versatile nature, it’s become a great fit in today’s cocktail culture.”
Ingredients
- Gin 45ml
- Elderflower syrup 30ml
- Prosecco 60ml
- Soda water 60ml
- Fresh mint leaves
- Lime wedges 1 per glass and to garnish
- Ice cubes
Method
- Add the gin to a glass with ice cubes
- Pour the elderflower syrup, and add a handful of fresh mint leaves
- Squeeze the juice of a lime or lemon wedge into the glass
- Stir gently to combine the ingredients
- Top up with the prosecco and finish by adding the soda water
- Give it a final gentle stir and garnish with more mint leaves and a lime or lemon wedge
