It seems like all the great drinks have had their time to shine.

Beer is the oldest and most widely consumed alcoholic beverage.  Vodka has been the cocktail frontrunner for some time. Champagne is so user friendly that even polite society deems it fit to drink before lunch.  Even bourbon whiskey saw a resurgence thanks to Don Draper and his Old Fashioned fixation.

But aside from a gin and tonic, gin remains that alcohol your grandparents drank while they played bridge. Well, no more.  It’s time for gin to shine (or fizz should that be your cocktail preference).

South Side

Ingredients

• 12 mint leaves
• 2 oz Gin (Hendricks is a great choice).
• ¾ oz lemon juice
• ¾ oz simple syrup
• Lemon for garnish
• Splash of soda

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker.
2. Shake, strain, and serve with a splash of soda. (Side note: for all shaken drinks, the point is to chill the ingredients and mix them simultaneously.  You want the shaker about ¾ of the way full of ice. When water begins to condense on the surface of the shaker, it’s ready to be strained and poured.  Also don’t ever add the carbonated ingredients in the shaker, unless you’re in the mood to wipe ingredients off your ceiling).
3. Garnish with a mint sprig stuffed in a lemon wheel.

Pepper Delicious

Ingredients

• 2 thin red bell pepper rings
• 12 mint leaves
• 2 oz gin
• ¾ oz lime juice
• ¾ oz simple syrup

Directions

1. Muddle the bell pepper first.
2. Add ice and then the rest of the ingredients.
3. Shake, strain, and pour.
4. Garnish with thin bell pepper slice and mint sprig.

Gin Gimlet

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz lime juice
• ¾ oz simple syrup

Directions

1. Add ingredients with ice to shaker.
2. Shake and pour.
3. Serve up with a lime wedge.

 

-Arianna Schioldager