Tag Archives: gin cocktails

Drink of the Week: Farmer’s Martini

Posted on May 10, 2013 | Leave a comment

I finally made it to dinner at Downtown Food last weekend at the suggestion of friends. After eating what I can only describe as the best — and most creative — meal out I’ve had in a long time, I have to wonder what took me so long to get there. So, if you get a chance, go.

The restaurant also has an interesting cocktail list, featuring a drink with sake, one with lychee liqueur and three different martinis (not of the sweet variety). I opted for the Farmer’s Martini, a wise choice given my penchant for gin and elderflower liqueur.

The Farmer’s Martini at Downtown Food is such a pretty drink. Bonus: it tastes good, too!

I’m guessing the name is a nod to its two farm-fresh ingredients: cucumbers and sage. No matter — this drink is awesome. Gin and cucumbers are meant for each other, but add in lime juice, elderflower cordial and a hint of sage and you’ve got a savoury drink that’s both creative and refreshing. Enjoy!

Farmer’s Martini

2 oz gin, preferably Hendrick’s
2 oz cucumber puree*
1 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
1 oz elderflower cordial
2-3 sprigs sage
4-6 ice cubes
Top soda water
Lime wedge and cucumber slice garnish

In a shaker combine sage cucumbers and ice and muddle to crush sage. Add gin, lime and elderflower cordial. Shake, then strain into a martini glass. Top with soda water to taste. Garnish with a lime wedge and cucumber slice. (Drink should be bright green with flecks of sage and cucumber.)

*Cucumber puree: Using a hand mixer or in a Magic Bullet, pulse cucumbers with a bit of water or lime juice to make a puree.

— Recipe courtesy Darren MacLean, owner and chef, Downtown Food

Drink of the Week: Income Tax cocktail

Posted on April 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

If you’re like me and your taxes are filed, you are no doubt doing the happy dance this weekend. True, the deadline isn’t until April 30, but wouldn’t you rather “get ‘er done” early and then toast your efforts with an Income Tax cocktail*?

Here’s a cocktail you’ll want to spend your return on.

Yes, such a drink really exists. What’s even more intriguing? It’s a cocktail that’s been around for a century. I can see why: it’s basically a martini sweetened by a bit of orange juice, and spiced with a couple dashes of Angostura bitters. It’s strong, yes, but that’s a good thing whether you’re celebrating a big return, or drowning your sorrows over all the money you owe the Feds. So drink up!

Income Tax cocktail

1-1/2 oz Beefeater gin
3/4 oz dry vermouth
3/4 oz sweet vermouth
3/4 oz orange juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange curl garnish

Shake ingredients with ice then strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with an orange curl.

— Recipe courtesy Wade Sirois, Crowbar

*I originally blogged this drink last April, but it’s so good (and timely) I wanted to share it again. Enjoy!

Drink of the Week: Bee’s Knees

Posted on April 5, 2013 | 1 comment

I love that it’s finally (well, kinda, sorta) spring. It makes me think of fresh, yellow things like daffodils and lemons and honey. And being Friday, the mind wanders to gin.

It’s got gin, lemon juice and honey syrup. Hello, spring in a glass!

So it was serendipitous I came across a recipe for a Bee’s Knees cocktail, which combines the above ingredients (except, of course, the daffodils). I’d heard about this drink as a signature cocktail for weddings and such, but I would hate to be on the cleaning-up end after a Bee’s Knees-weighted reception. They. Are. Strong. The gin delivers, in other words. But it’s the honey syrup that really makes this spring sip sing. It’s sweet without being heavy and it goes so well with tangy lemon and aromatic gin. Believe me, it’s the bee’s knees.

Gin + honey syrup + lemon juice = splendid simplicity in a glass.

Bee’s Knees

2 oz gin (I used Tanqueray)
3/4 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 oz honey syrup*
Lemon wheel garnish

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Note: The original recipe called for less lemon juice and honey syrup; I opted to add a bit more as I found it too strong, so feel free to experiment with the ratios.

*Honey syrup: Combine equal parts honey and hot water in a mason jar. Put on the lid and shake until the honey is dissolved. Cool before using and store in the fridge.