I think whoever decides the days of the year is trying to tell us something. Just this past weekend, June featured World Gin Day on Saturday the 13th (the day even has an official website) and National Bourbon Day on Sunday the 14th (they get an official website, too), followed a week later on the 19th by National Martini Day. That last one isn’t Internet-official quite yet, but that doesn’t make it any less real, and there’s no excuse to not observe all of them. We’re for equality in all realms, including alcohol consumption!
If you’re keen on having a bit of a celebration then why not tie it in with these momentous days that really ought to be national holidays. Give your liquor cabinet a spruce with these three different takes of famous drinks, and give your liver a day to remember (but hopefully not your brain a day to forget).
Gin & Tonic
Everyone loves a frozen margarita, right? Well, maybe tequila isn’t your style — by style, we mean you wake up feeling like you went several rounds with Mike Tyson afterwards — but if gin is more your speed, then mix it up with a frozen gin and tonic.
- Make a simple syrup by bringing 4oz of water and 8oz of caster sugar to the boil.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, take off the heat and add 6oz of gin, 18oz of tonic, the juice of one lemon and a grated apple for extra bite.
- Once the mixture has cooled, pour into a shallow freezer-proof container and place in the freezer.
- Every 30 minutes, remove from freezer and whisk the mixture. Repeat until frozen (usually 3-4 hours)
- Remove from freezer and serve on its own in a martini glass with a slice of lime or apple. Alternatively, use it as a tasty, boozy frozen element in a desert.
Bourbon
Look, it’s currently not sweltering everywhere on the planet so if you’re still trying to stay warm, then you can’t go wrong with blood orange mulled bourbon friskers. They pack a punch and are incredibly easy to brew, yet also allow you to take advantage of some delicious in season fruit.
- Pour a full bottle of red wine with two cups of bourbon into a pot over medium heat.
- Cut 3 blood oranges in half and squeeze juice into the pot before adding the chopped remains plus one chopped green apple and one chopped pear — making sure to not let it boil.
- Add 3 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp of cinnamon, one tsp of ground clove, 1 dash of all spice and 1 dash of nutmeg (or, alternatively, get a pre-packed soaking mix of mulling spices).
- Let the mixture heat for 15 minutes — again, making sure not to let it boil, or else you’ll lose that wonderful alcohol.
- Take off the heat a serve, trying to get a cinnamon stick and/or some of the loose fruit in with the drink.
Martini
Martinis can be more than just shaken or stirred, and they don’t always need to have the words “Apple” or “Flirty” associated with them, either. Rather, how about making a twist on that ol’ cookie marvel the Thin Mint? Unofficially called the Thin Mintini, this rich and chocolately drink can be the main course of a night out or a delicious desert.
- Place a handful of chocolate chips in a microwave-proof dish and melt for about 30 seconds in order to rim the glass. Put glass in freezer to set the chocolate.
- Add ice, 1 oz crème de menthe, 1 oz white chocolate liqueur, and 2oz of chocolate-flavored vodka in a martini shaker and shake.
- Add 1oz half-and-half and stir.
- Poor into the cooled martini glass and garnish with crumbled Thin Mint cookies.
Recipe makes one, but simply multiply measurements for however many drinks you need and after tasting it, you may need a few refills.
