Sip #13 2024

The Gin

Hello Reader, Happy Friday!
Today we cover the theme of Navy Strength Gin.

Gin of the Week: Australian Prohibition Gin ⚓️

🍸 Hello Sailors, this week's newsletter is all about Navy Strength. Before we sail, let me tell you what Sloe Gin is all about. Sloe gin is a British red liqueur made with gin and blackthorn fruits (sloes). Its appearance, characterized by a deep, dark cherry color, adds to its allure.

This gin, steeped in history and botanical bounty, offers a sensory adventure like no other. Picture yourself on a sun-kissed deck, the salty sea breeze mingling with the aroma of clean, bright pepper spice and hints of citrus and juniper. 🍋🌿

A Navy Strength gin is usually crafted to provide a sturdy ship (pun intended 😁) for its botanical crew to shine and deliver an exhilarating sipping adventure on the high seas. Neat, it's a revelation. Generous on the palate, this gin reveals layers of complexity without overwhelming the senses. There's no boozy hit here—just a harmonious marriage of botanicals dancing on the tongue. 🍹✨

🌲 Juniper: 4/5 - The essence of juniper is prominent but balanced, adding depth to each sip without overpowering other botanicals.

🍋 Citrus: 5/5 - A burst of citrus greets the palate, with notes of native lime and grapefruit peel dancing elegantly across the tongue.

🌸 Floral: 1/5 - While not the dominant note, hints of floral delicacy add a very subtle layer of complexity to the gin's profile, enhancing its overall bouquet.

🍇 Fruit: 2/5 - Fruity undertones, particularly from the grapefruit peel, lend a touch of sweetness and brightness to the gin's flavor profile.

🌿 Herbal: 4/5 - Herbal nuances, including the savory saltiness and ginger undertones, contribute to the gin's depth and character, making each sip a journey of discovery.

🌶️ Spice: 3/5 - A gentle warmth from spices like ginger and pepper adds intrigue and complexity, enhancing the overall drinking experience without overwhelming the palate.

🍹 ABV: Navy Strength (58% ABV) - This gin packs a punch with its elevated alcohol content, yet it wears its strength with elegance, offering a smooth and satisfying finish.

Overall Rating: 4 / 5 This Gin is definitely built for the high seas! Add an ice cube, and the spirit's heat will awaken, unveiling more of that tantalizing flavor But it's with a premium tonic that this gin truly shines, embracing the citrus notes. 🍸💫

Prohibition - Navy Strength Gin | 58% ABV | 500ML

Story: Navy Strength 🚢

The history of Navy Strength gin is a tale as surprising as it is fascinating, rooted in the practicalities and perils of life at sea 🌊 during the 18th century.

Picture this: the Royal Navy, ever vigilant about their gin rations, devised a cunning method to ensure authenticity. They tested the gin by 'proving' it, hence the term 'Proof', to guarantee it hadn't been watered down. But there's more to this story than mere quality control. Imagine the chaos of a ship's deck: drunken sailors, flickering matches, and, yes, barrels of gin. It was imperative that the gin if spilled on gunpowder, could still ignite 🔥 —a safety measure ensuring cannons ☄️ could still fire amidst the chaos of battle.

But why the need for such strength, you might wonder? Well, in the unpredictable realm of naval warfare, every contingency had to be considered. Should gin inadvertently meet gunpowder 🔫, the outcome needed to be more than just a damp squib. It had to be a surefire ignition 🔥, capable of setting the stage for victory or disaster. Thus, the legend of Navy Strength gin was born—a spirit so robust, so potent, that even a spilled drop could spark a revolution on the high seas.

So, the next time you sip on Navy Strength gin, let yourself be carried away by the remarkable history that imbues each drop. It's not just a drink; it's a testament to the ingenuity, daring, and sheer audacity of those who once sailed the world's oceans, fueled by nothing less than the strongest of spirits.

Check out our Army & Navy recipe below 👇

Navy Strength Gin: All You Need To Know

Masterclass: Orgeat 🍾

Welcome to our Orgeat Syrup Masterclass! 🌰🍊 In this session, we'll explore the fascinating history and versatile uses of orgeat syrup, a beloved ingredient in the world of cocktails and beyond.

History and Ingredients: Originally derived from the French word "orge," meaning barley, orgeat syrup has evolved from its grain-based origins to become a delightful blend of almonds (and sometimes other nuts) and orange flower water. Traditionally, it was made by steeping finely chopped nuts in a simple syrup or by adding sugar directly to prepared nut milk, cooked slowly to achieve its characteristic viscosity. The syrup boasts a light beige to golden hue, with a delicate perfume from the orange flower water. Variations may include spices like cinnamon and clove, or additional flavorings such as vanilla, and rose water, or a blend of various nuts like hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, and pistachios.

Versatility and Uses: Orgeat syrup is a versatile sweetener that adds depth and complexity to a variety of beverages and culinary creations. Its subtle almond flavor and floral notes make it a popular choice in classic cocktails like the Mai Tai and the Japanese Cocktail. Beyond mixology, orgeat syrup can elevate your culinary endeavors, adding a touch of sweetness and nuttiness to desserts, sauces, and marinades. Whether you're crafting cocktails or experimenting in the kitchen, orgeat syrup is a must-have addition to your bar cart or pantry.

Conclusion: As we conclude our Orgeat Syrup Masterclass, remember that this humble syrup offers endless possibilities for creativity and flavor exploration. Whether you're sipping on a refreshing cocktail or indulging in a decadent dessert, let orgeat syrup be your secret ingredient for enhancing taste sensations and delighting the senses. Cheers to the magic of orgeat syrup! 🥂

Check out our Army & Navy recipe below with OREGAT👇

Cocktail for the week: Blackthorn🍹

Ingredients:

60ml Navy Strength Gin
20ml Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
15ml Orgeat Syrup
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Orange zest for garnish
Ice Cubes (for shaking)
Cocktail glass

Instructions:

Add all your ingredients to the shaker.
Fill the shaker to the brim with ice cubes.
Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
Fine-strain the mixture into an ice-cold cocktail glass.
Garnish with a twist of Orange zest.

Chill your cocktail glass in the freezer for 5 minutes before pouring to keep your drink refreshingly cold. For a silky smooth texture, use a fine mesh strainer (like a tea strainer) when pouring to remove any small ice chips.

Community Spotlight: Gin Costs 💰

A fingerprinting technique similar to MRI scanning is finally revealing what makes the ultimate gin. Will it be a blessing or a curse for an unregulated industry drunk on innovation?

Last month was our first Gin Tasting & Paring event in Bangalore, IN at the wonderful Khmer Kitchen featuring 4 of their selected gins and various gin cocktails. We are looking to have more around the world. Check out the video promo below!