Recently, many new brands of gin have become available in my home Province, Alberta. While many have very traditional juniper forward flavour profiles, there are a growing number which seek to give other flavour elements a stronger role within the spirit. One such brand which I received recently is Ferdinand’s Saar Dry Gin. In addition to juniper, 29 other botanicals are used within its construction. In addition, this gin is also infused with Riesling Wine.
While examining the spirit, I decided that its character would be well suited to Martini cocktails where the many nuances of flavour within the gin would not be lost. I decided that a Vesper-like cocktail which combined a high quality vodka (Belvedere) with Ferdinand’s Saar Dry Gin would be an ideal starting point.
The Riesling wine infusion inspired a green grape garnish. I placed the grape in the freezer first such that as it thawed in the cocktail it would be more inclined to release some its flavour to enhance the serving.
The result was quite delicious!
Grapeshot Martini
1 oz Ferdinand’s Saar Dry Gin
1 oz Belvedere Vodka
1/6 oz Stock Vermouth
Ice
Green Grape
Place a green grape in the freezer 2 hours before serving
Chill your Martini Glass
Slice the semi frozen grape in half and place it in the chilled glass
Add Gin, the Vodka and Vermouth into a metal shaker with lots of ice
Shake until the sides of the shaker are frosted
Double strain into the chilled martini glass
Of course, you should enjoy responsibly!
If you are interested in more cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more mixed drink recipes!
Note my review of Ferdinand’s Saar Dry Gin will publish tomorrow.
To modify the bar drink for a full flavoured overproof white rum, I suggest that we add in one more ingredient, Triple Sec. Not only does the orange liqueur’s flavour mix wonderfully with the pot still flavours of the Wray and Nephew Rum, adding 1/2 ounce of Triple Sec and decreasing the amount of overproof white rum by the same amount serves to dilute the alcohol content of the cocktail making it more approachable. We still have a very strong bar drink; but if you try it, I am sure you will agree that the High Test Daiquiri is delicious.
Like most highball cocktails, the Presbyterian works wonderfully as a back yard deck drink. It requires no frills, no martini shakers, and no expertise on the part of the back deck bartender. Because the serving is lengthened with both ginger-ale and with soda, it is a refreshing drink with a muted sweetness which many persons enjoy.
Tarling’s recipe has stood the test of time, and can usually be found in the gin section of most good cocktail books.
Like most home bartenders, I do not have a ready supply of Vodka Citron, nor a suitable lemon vodka substitute in my home bar. However, I wanted to construct a Cosmopolitan which would be similar to the IBA formulation. I did this using my newly acquired Big Rig Premium Vodka, and tweaking the recipe by adding a touch of lemon juice and decreasing the lime juice by the same amount. I tried different garnishes, and decided that orange peel seemed to suit the overall flavour profile of the serving (the IBA formulation states a lime slice garnish).
The Rum Howler Blog 