It is our bet that more than just one economist wishes that the rand could make a comeback the way that gin has done in the last few years. Once considered the most important cocktail ingredient on a mixologist’s list, it has taken a bit of a back seat to whisky and brandy in recent times, but not anymore. Gin has stormed back into our lives in a big way, as is evidenced by the new arrival of gin bars and gin festivals.
Two factors have contributed to the gin renaissance. The first is the rise of premium cocktails, and thank goodness for that. The world is a better place without paper umbrellas and Hawaiian shirts. Nowadays, cocktails are fashioned by mixologists who spend years perfecting their craft. The modern-day cocktail is innovative, unusual, and complex.
But a premium cocktail needs premium ingredients, which brings us to the second reason for the gin revival: the emergence of exceptional gin. A case in point in Hendrick’s Gin, which, in addition to 11 carefully selected botanicals to add flavour elements, also features the late addition of cucumber and rose essences. This contributes to a liquor that displays the subtle nuances so treasured by the modern mixologist.
One of the characteristics of modern cocktail making is conjuring up bespoke creations to suit any situation or setting. Stuff was fortunate enough to experience this first-hand when Hendrick’s Gin’s mixologist Marson Strydom created two cocktails inspired by the magazine, featuring ample pyrotechnics to reflect the gadgets Stuff loves so much.
We have reproduced the recipes here for any amateur mixologist who fancies preparing a slightly more challenging cocktail, and enjoys delighting house guests with a little bit of theatre. Just be careful where you point your kitchen torch!
Ingredients:
37.5ml Hendrick’s Gin
12.5ml Elderflower cordial
50ml Pineapple juice
25ml Litchi juice
25ml Lemon juice
Method:
Add all the juice to a tumbler half-filled with ice. Add Hendrick’s Gin and elderflower cordial to a balloon glass. Balance balloon glass on top of tumbler with juices in. Ignite the Hendrick’s Gin in the balloon glass. While it’s burning, squeeze the oil from two orange zests into the flames. Pick up balloon glass by its foot and add burning liquid to the juices. Garnish with orange zests.
Ingredients:
37.5ml Hendrick’s Gin
75ml Cranberry juice
12.5ml Elderflower cordial
1 Bar spoon castor sugar
Fresh granadilla
Lime wedge
Method:
Cut granadilla in half. Scoop the insides of one half into a shaker and add the rest of the ingredients. Fill shaker with ice and shake. Fine strain into a chilled martini glass. Add ½ tsp castor sugar to the empty granadilla shell and wet it with Hendrick’s Gin. Float shell in the cocktail. Set gin on fire and serve.
It goes without saying that if you’re under 18 years old, you shouldn’t be drinking yet. Hendrick’s Gin was one of Stuff‘s Gadget Awards 2016 sponsors.