G Is for Gin: It’s gin o’clock somewhere

You know you’re dreaming about them. Those hot summer days when the mercury rises and gin has a way of going with (and in) everything. Popsicles? Yes, please. Cocktails? Don’t mind if I do. Marinades and salad dressings? You get the idea. Gin, in all its glorious imaginings, is just what the new season calls for. Give these little lovelies a try.

Cucumber & Lime Gin-sicles

(makes 6 to 8)
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
1/2 cup room-temperature water
1/3 cup white sugar
2 1/2 oz gin
1 1/2 cups tonic water

To a blender, add the chopped cucumber, lime juice, lime zest, water, sugar and gin. Blend until smooth, and then transfer to a pitcher. Add the tonic water, and stir. Pour into popsicle moulds, insert sticks and freeze until solid.

The French Tart

2 oz gin
1 oz elderflower liquor
2 oz freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
1/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 oz rosemary syrup
Prosecco, chilled
Sprig of rosemary, to garnish

To make the rosemary syrup, simply combine 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup water and 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary in a small pot, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat, let the mixture simmer 5 minutes and then remove it from heat and let it cool. When cool, remove the rosemary, pour the syrup in a Mason jar and store it in the fridge.

To a chilled cocktail glass filled with ice, add 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce elderflower liquor, 2 ounces pink grapefruit juice, 1/4 ounce lemon juice and 1/2 ounce rosemary syrup. Top with chilled Prosecco (to taste), and garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a slice of grapefruit.

Honey & Sage Gin Fizz

1 1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz honey-sage syrup (to taste)
1/2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
Club soda (to taste)
Fresh sage, to garnish

To make the honey-sage syrup, simply combine 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup water and 5 fresh sage leaves in a small pot, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat, let the mixture simmer 5 minutes and then remove it from heat and let it cool. When cool, remove the leaves, pour the syrup in a Mason jar and store it in the fridge.

To a chilled cocktail glass filled with ice, add 1 1/2 ounces of gin, 1/2 ounce honey-sage syrup, 1/2 ounce lime juice and top with club soda (to taste).
Garnish with a fresh sage leaf, and enjoy responsibly.

Orange & Thyme Gin Salad Dressing

1/4 cup gin
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp fresh thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly cracked pepper

Place all the ingredients in a Mason jar,
add the lid and shake until combined. Use immediately, or store in the fridge for up to
a week. Beautiful on summer salads or as a glaze for grilled chicken and fish.

Lemon & Gin Marinade

1/4 cup avocado oil
1 oz gin
3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tsp fresh oregano, chopped
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly cracked pepper
2 scallions, chopped

Add all the ingredients to a large, resealable plastic bag, and give them a little mix. Add 2 large chicken breasts, seal the bag (removing as much air as possible) and place in the fridge to marinate for 25 minutes. Also makes a great marinade for shrimp.  t8n

Perfect Pairings

Wondering what to garnish your favourite gin cocktail with? Here are some fruit-and-herb combos to try.

Watermelon and basil

Raspberry and basil

Blood orange and rosemary

Pomegranate and rosemary

Grapefruit and thyme