G’Vine Gin has just launched its 2012 Gin Connoisseur Program – a global quest for the world’s best gin bartender. This year’s theme is French Classics, remembering the golden age of French mixology from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The intense program requires an absolute understanding of the gin category,. But beyond that, competitors must be excellent hosts, technically skilled bartenders, creative mixologists and engaging personalities. Any bartender, anywhere, can enter the Gin Connoisseur Program. It doesn't matter which gin your bar pours or whether G'Vine Gin is available in your country. Every gin-loving bartender has an equal chance of...

Hendrick’s Gin has been busy this holiday season, having recently unveiled its Enchanted Forest of Curiosities in San Francisco and Brooklyn. The snowy indoor scene was brought to life with trees, woodland creatures and bizarre performances – think ukulele bands and sword swallowers. Also, cocktails. Guests enjoyed Hendrick's cocktails created by Brand Ambassador Jim Ryan. Hendrick’s Gin is comprised of 11 botanicals, including the very distinct infusions of cucumber and rose petals, which gives it great application in cocktails. Like the fine libations detailed below. Alaskan Sour 1 ½ oz Hendrick’s Gin ¾ oz Yellow Chartreuse ½ oz Simple Syrup ½ oz Lemon Juice ¼ oz...

On September 6th, Tanqueray Global Brand Ambassador, Angus Winchester, visited Dallas for an evening of gin and good times at the Joule Hotel’s rooftop pool. Winchester started the evening behind the bar, mixing up gin and tonics, Southsides (gin, lemon, sugar, mint, soda) and Negronis. Upon request for something a bit different, he made me a Perfect Ten, which is simply Tanqueray Ten shaken with a lemon peel, and then strained into a cocktail glass. When asked why he shook the gin instead of stirring it, he mentioned that stirring wasn’t necessary when it’s just gin. But that if he...

Back in June, Denver-based Spring44 released a gin, vodka and honey vodka. Like all Spring44 spirits, the gin is distilled five times, filtered through a virgin coconut husk carbon filtration system and cut with spring water from the Rocky Mountains. The gin is comprised of 12 aromatic botanicals, including juniper berries, lavender, jasmine and citrus peels. Spring 44 Gin is crystal clear, and on the nose it has clean aromas of juniper, lime, sage, wheat and spice. The entrance is cool and creamy on the palate, with mint, spice, flowers and a mild dose of juniper. It finishes long with...

The Fitzgerald cocktail comes courtesy of Dale Degroff. Mr. DeGroff was instrumental in the revival of the American bar scene, starting with his early 90s tenure at the Rainbow Room in New York. A firm proponent of fresh juices, his work helped to usher in the era of legit cocktail bars that scoff at bottled juices and sugary swill. That said, The Fitzgerald is essentially a gin sour (sans optional egg white) with bitters. Gin, lemon juice and sugar combine to form a nice drink on their own, but bitters can turn a good drink into a great drink. In...

ROXOR Artisan Gin is a new product that just launched this month. Distilled in partnership between New Artisan Spirits and San Luis Spirits, producers of Dripping Springs Vodka, it’s the first Texas-based gin. New Artisan Spirits is headed by former Coca-Cola executive Don Short and Robert Del Grande, a chef who also holds a degree in biochemistry. Del Grande used that science expertise and cooking talent to create the 12 botanical blend of ROXOR Artisan Gin. He balanced juniper with fresh citrus peels and included other traditional botanicals like coriander and orris root. From there, we’ve got some surprises like...

While there were many great cocktails featured at last month’s Manhattan Cocktail Classic in New York, one that really stood out was the Tom Nichol Cocktail created for the Master Distiller of Tanqueray Gin. The drink was presented to guests at the suite at the Andaz Hotel across from the New York Public Library, which is the scene of the annual MCC Gala. A mixture of gin and fresh juices, this cocktail was dreamt up by wine and spirits expert Steve Olson and Tom Nichol while they were traveling together in Spain. The citrus highlights...

Summer’s approaching, or for many of us, it’s already here. So let’s kick back with some refreshing gin cocktails. These recipes come courtesy of Oxley Gin. Featuring fresh fruit and some basic ingredients, they’re easy to make, whether you’re hosting a Memorial Day pool party or just sitting alone in your air conditioned house. Oxley 75 1 ½ ounces OXLEY Gin 2 tsp superfine sugar 1 ounce fresh lemon juice 4 ounces chilled Prosecco Shake gin, sugar and lemon juice with ice. Pour into a champagne flute and top with Prosecco. Grapefruit Collins 2 ounces OXLEY Gin ½ ounce lemon juice ½ ounce of simple syrup 1 ounce fresh...

Death’s Door Gin comes from Death’s Door Spirits, a relatively new outfit based in Madison, Wisconsin. The company produces a vodka and white whiskey in addition to the gin. Distilled in small batches from local red winter wheat, Death’s Door Gin is unique as far as gins go, in that it’s comprised of just three botanicals – juniper berries, coriander and fennel seeds. And they’re all organic, if you’re into that sort of thing. Death’s Door Gin has a light aroma of juniper that’s somewhat muted by an initial hit of alcohol. Some fennel notes are present as well, folded neatly into...

The Bijou Cocktail was created in the late 1800s and appears in classic cocktail books like The Savoy and Harry Johnson's Bartender's Manual. It's sweet and fiercely herbal, but it's also surprisingly elegant and well-balanced. Play around with your vermouths for fun effect, and note the difference between mainstays like Dolin and richer vermouths like Carpano Antica. If the drink is simply too much to handle, try changing the ratios to two parts gin, one part vermouth and one part Green Chartreuse. Bijou Cocktail 1 oz London Dry Gin 1 oz Green Chartreuse 1 oz Sweet Vermouth 1 dash Orange Bitters Stir all ingredients with ice until...