Jaisamler Gin & Tonic
Welcome to Highball Happy Hour! It's no surprise that I enjoy making some... complicated cocktails from time to time. But a good gin and tonic is actually one of my favorite cocktails to enjoy while eating-- the slight quinine bitterness helps to quench the thirst and cleanse the palate, and the complex array of flavors and botanicals tend to pair well with many cuisines. Like many cocktails that only have a few ingredients, a G&T is easy to make but much harder to get just right. As part of my #sponsored @JaisalmerGin content, I wanted to make my "ideal" G&T to really celebrate the gin.
There were two modifications to the usual gin + tonic template. First, I added a bit of aquavit to really enhance the coriander/caraway notes. Second, I added some fresh ingredients that highlight some of the other botanicals in Jaisalmer: sweet orange peel (here, slices of clementine), lemon peel, and lemongrass. Besides adding some fresh flavors and gorgeous aromas, these ingredients slowly infuse into the drink and transform it as it sits (if you're patient enough!). I used Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic to get some additional herbal notes and it paired beautifully. As you can see, I enjoyed this drink with an Indian-inspired twist on my family's typical Grain Bowl, adding curry, coriander, cumin, and cardamom to the cauliflower and other veggies.
Recipe
1.75oz Jaisalmer Gin
0.25oz aquavit
3-4oz tonic
Sliced clementine, lemon peel, fresh lemongrass
Add fresh ingredients to the glass, followed by ice (clear ice made with @truecubes) and gin/aquavit. Stir briefly to chill and top with chilled tonic water. Cheers!!
