WORDS: Will Abner
Cocktail enthusiasts and generalists alike know a bit about the history of gin, especially its time throughout Prohibition. Back when the cocktail was born, mixers were added to hide the foul taste of “bathtub” gin, but thankfully in the 21st century we have the pleasure of knowing our spirit wasn’t brewed in our neighbor's bathroom. We can now enjoy the taste of a spirit instead of trying to hide it. With its light and refreshing qualities, it’s easy to see how a classic like the Gin & Tonic has become a blank slate for experimentation.
With the wide variety of gins available today, almost everything under the sun could be thrown into a gin cocktail to compliment it. Lime loyalists beware, there is a multitude of “out there” extras that will keep you refreshed and your cocktails exciting. Whether it's fruit, vegetables, or fresh herbs, you can muddle, twist, juice, and create syrups with just about any of these ingredients. These aren’t revolutionary changes, just some alternatives to the usual lemon or lime. So give some of these a shot, get creative and give your own twist to the classic G&T.