Thirsty Thursdays with Francys: Gin Time!

Francys’ End of Summer Drink Series is an ongoing guest posting every Thursday by Francys Sandoval of La Cocina Kitchen. A professionally trained cook, she brings her passion for beverages every Thursday of September, sharing her favorite drinks, techniques and recipes. 

And we are back! It’s finally Thursday again and we are thirsty for more special fall drinks! This time around we are celebrating one of the most aromatic and strong spirits of them all, delicious Gin!

Writing this particular post has been a challenge for me for various reasons: I feel such love for Gin that I wanted to showcase a great cocktail and although classics are perfectly designed cocktails, going to them was not going to be about the gin, it was going to be more about those beautiful mixed classic drinks, their history and how to make them perfectly using the right tools and techniques. That’s why I hit the books, did some research, trying and tasting to bring you a perfect fall Gin cocktail.

Now about Gin, there are two main styles. The Dutch method that uses a mixture of corn, rye and malt, it’s distilled 3 times before being distilled one last time with the one ingredient that gives Gin its signature aromatics, Juniper Berries. All while the English method stars off with a strong grain or molasses distillation. This is then mixed with water to be re-distilled with the gin-essential juniper berries. This last style is also known as “dry gin”.

 Although Genever (Juniper in Dutch) is the main aromatic in Gin and originated its name, there are other herbs and peels used in the production of Gin and they can be found in its fantastic aroma and flavor. It wasn’t until the 1890s when Gin first started to be used for cocktails and special drinks. Today we are celebrating just that by mixing it with one of my favorites fall/winter drinks, Apple Cider. But not just any apple cider today we are making our own non alcoholic home made cider. We have a lot to do so let’s get started.

Apple Kicking Cider
2 ounces Gin
2 ounces apple cider
1/2 ounce ginger syrup
1/4 ounce lemon juice

1. Pour all the ingredients into a shaker with ice, and shake!
2. Strain the drink into a martini glass and garnish with slices of fresh apple.
3. Remember to use big clean ice cubes, they melt slowly therefore your drink dilutes less.

For the home made apple cider:
4 apples
1 cinnamon stick
4 to 5 cloves
2 tablespoons sugar  

1. Place all the ingredients in a pot and add enough water to cover the apples. Let boil for an hour and then turn the heat down letting simmer for another hour. Smash all apples in the water and let cool.
2. When cool strain into a glass container, letting all the liquid from the apple mash drain completely.

For the ginger syrup:
1 ounce Ginger, chopped
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Water

Combine all three ingredients in a sauce pan and let boil. Stir with a wooden spoon to mix sugar well. Let cool and strain into a container.

Gorgeous drink for fall weather! Hope you all enjoy it and be sure to come back next Thursday for my last guest post in my End of Summer Drink Series at Cooking with Books! Trust me when I say you won’t want to miss it!