5 classic gin cocktails you should order more often

Most people know the classic gin cocktails like the Martini, Gimlet, or Gin Fizz. But if you step away from the well-known, you will quickly find other classics that may not be as popular but are just as good. Here is a small selection for all those who would like to try something different.

Last Word

The Last Word features an enticing, even combination of herbal aromas, fruity notes, and acidity. The cocktail, which originates in the 1920s, was forgotten for a long time and was rediscovered in Seattle in the early 2000s. From then on, the Last Word became internationally known and it’s hard to imagine many bars without it. Even though the cocktail has travelled a lot, it remains linked to the place of discovery, Seattle: the Last Word’s visually striking green colour goes well with the city, nicknamed the “Emerald City”.

• 20 ml Siegfried Gin
• 20 ml Chartreuse green
• 20 ml Maraschino
• 20 ml Freshly squeezed lime juice

Pour all ingredients into a shaker, shake on ice and double strain into a pre-chilled glass. Sprinkle with a lime zest.

Martinez

The Martinez is not only a very good cocktail, but also part of many discussions that revolve around the origins and relationships of various drinks. The cocktail was first mentioned in 1884 in O.H. Byron’s “The Modern Bartender’s Guide” and in 1887 in Jerry Thomas’ “Bartenders Guide”. Probably originating from the Manhattan, the Martinez is considered to be the foster father of the Martini. There are different genealogies, which are discussed at length in other places. For now, we enjoy the beautiful balance between sweetness and bitterness in one of the most original cocktails. The Martinez.

• 45 ml Siegfried Gin
• 20 ml sweet Vermouth
• 1 Barspoon Maraschino
• 2 dash Angostura Bitters

Stir all ingredients together with ice cubes and double strain into a pre-chilled glass. Spritz with lemon zest.

Aviation

Aviation is a cocktail from the beginning of the 20th century and, with its name and the slightly bluish color of violet liqueur, refers to the emergence of aviation at the time of its creation. It is a sour, slightly floral cocktail that the International Bartenders Association 2011 described as an “unforgettable drink”. Expert tip: bite the maraschino cherry before the last sip. It’s worth it.

• 60 ml Siegfried Gin
• 1 Barspoon Maraschino
• 15 ml Creme de Violette
• 20 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

Pour all ingredients into a shaker, shake on ice and double strain into a pre-chilled glass. Add a maraschino cherry.

Alexander

The Alexander is also a cocktail that was created at the beginning of the 20th century. Actually known as Brandy Alexander, everyone is talking about the version with gin as the basic spirit. Similar to the Last Word, all ingredients are classically combined in the same ratio, different recipes increase or decrease individual ingredients. After all the ingredients have been shaken on ice in a shaker and strained into a glass, a little grated nutmeg can be added.

• 30 ml Siegfried Gin
• 30 ml Creme de Cacao (brown)
• 30 ml Cream

Pour all ingredients into a shaker, shake on ice and double strain into a pre-chilled glass.

Sloe Gin Fizz

Without a doubt: including Sloe Gin Fizz as a classic in the list may come as a surprise at first. But where we are with the ‘other’ classics, this Fizz variant seems to fit in very well. It is characterized by a fresh, bitter-sweet note and can be the perfect drink for a relaxed garden evening. Sloe Gin is a distilled gin that is macerated with blackthorn berries and sugar and has around 30 vol%.

• 50 ml Sloe Gin
• 30 ml Lemon juice
• 20 ml Sugar Syrup
• Top up with soda

Pour all ingredients into a shaker, shake on ice and strain into a highball glass over ice cubes. Top up with soda.
Tip: Prepare with an egg white – this improves the texture considerably and harmonizes the drink. In this case, the drink is called Sloe Gin Silver Fizz (a gin fizz with ice white is called a silver fizz). By the way, the drink on the photo is also the Sloe Gin Silver Fizz.

Of course this is just a selection and there are certainly many other gin cocktails that were on this list can occur. Lastly, whether in your favorite bar or at home: try it out!

With this in mind, cheers!

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Author: Siegfried Rheinland Dry Gin …more