Gin lovers will enjoy these festive gin-based cocktails this festive season… and beyond! A classic Vesper Martini (stirred, not shaken!) or a gentler Lady Sloane?
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Of all the skills you might acquire in life, learning how to make strong, effective cocktails is the least likely to be a waste of your time”
So begins the introduction to Richard Goodwin’s The Spirits book and I could not agree more.
With the festive season upon us there’s never a better time to master said skill and no one will complain if you show up at a party with a bottle of gin and a cocktail shaker under your arm – I speak from experience!
I have partnered with Sloane’s ginto bring you a festive recipe (or two)! If you are not familiar with Sloane’s gin it may be because it hails not from the UK, as the name might suggest, but the Netherlands.
Named after Sir Hans Sloane, a famed botanist, Sloane’s Gin is crafted in small batches using fresh citrus fruits and individually distilling the botanicals.
Whatever the process it is definitely working – Sloane’s won ‘World’s Best Gin’ at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition in 2011.
I mixed my Sloane’s with cloudy apple juice in a fit of cocktail experimentation and it was an unexpectedly lovely match – say hello to the Lady Sloane. She is simple yet sophisticated and requires few ingredients – in many ways is the secret to cocktail success.
This a good long cocktail for slow sipping if you fancy taking things a little slow while getting the party started! You simply need an elegant rocks glass, your mixers and some ice.
But Sloane’s was also lovely in a classic and sophisticated Vesper Martini (gin, vodka, Lillet Blanc) – a favourite of Bond, James Bond. Bond famously asks for this Martini to be shaken, not stirred.
Hate to break it to you Mr. Bond but shaking a spirits based Martini results in a cloudy and over diluted drink! Better to stir it gently over ice in a mixing jug and strain it into a chilled Martini glass!
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Ingredients
Lady Sloane (serves 1)
- 60 ml | 2oz gin
- 120 ml | ½ cup cloudy apple juice
- 2 generous dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp agave syrup
- sprig of rosemary to garnish
- chilled soda water to top up (optional)
Vesper (serves 1)
- 45 ml | 1.5oz gin
- 30 ml | 1 oz vodka
- 1 tbsp Lillet Blanc
- small strip lemon peel
Instructions
Lady Sloane (serves 1)
- Add the lemon juice and agave syrup in a mixing glass or your cocktail shaker. Mix together
- Add the gin, apple juice and bitters and plenty of ice. Stir together until very cold - about 30 seconds.
- Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and top up with soda water if you prefer a longer drink.
Vesper (serves 1)
- Add all ingredients apart from lemon peel into a mixing jug with fresh ice. Stir for 30 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled Martini glass. Twist the lemon peel over the glass and drop it in.
Jo Hutchinson says
A good old gin cocktail.
Janet Bennett says
yes definitely going to try a gin cocktail
siobhan davis says
This would be lovely 🙂 Thanks so much for the chance x
lindsay chadburn says
these sound delicious
Hannah Hossack-Lodge says
Gin is my tipple of choice, I haven't tried Sloanes before though. The cocktails sound seriously good! I especially like the sound of the Lady Sloane, it's too bad I don't have any of the ingredients 🙁 x
Sarah Fennel says
Stunning photos… what else is new?! <3
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
that sounds delicious Lucy! I've got all the ingredients too!
Emily says
Looooove the look of this. Although it was my Christmas party last night so maybe not a good thing to look at right now 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I am a big fan of gin, so this sounds perfect to me. I never would have thought to put gin and apple juice together. Great idea!
Coriander Queen says
Gorgeous photos as always! Will defs need to give this cocktail a try, looks delicious!
Angela Field says
Such lovely pictures Lucy! I LOVE gin and gin based cocktails are one of my favourite things! I will have to check out Sloane's as I love trying new gin.