Sip #12 2024

The Gin

Hello Reader, Happy Friday!
In this edition, we cover the theme of London Dry Gin.

Gin of the Week: Plymouth Sloe Gin 🫐

🍸 Hello Gin heads, this week's newsletter is all about Sloe Gin. Before we begin, 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 week's feature is Plymouth Sloe Gin stands out for its high-quality gin base and fresh sloe berries, resulting in a superior product. Upon the first impression, notes of pepper evolve into a spicy plum jam bouquet, creating a unique sensory experience. The taste is thick and jam-like, with a harmonious blend of juniper, citrus, and spices rushing through the palate.

Perfect for cocktails, it shines as the main ingredient in classics like the Sloe Gin Fizz. The redesigned bottle exudes elegance and sophistication, making it a must-have addition to any gin enthusiast's collection.

🌲 Juniper: 4/5 Plymouth Sloe Gin showcases a robust juniper presence, providing a solid foundation for its flavor profile. Juniper enthusiasts will appreciate its prominent role in this gin.

🍋 Citrus: 3/5 Hints of citrus add a subtle brightness to Plymouth Sloe Gin, complementing its fruity notes with a refreshing zestiness.

🌸 Floral: 2/5 While subdued, there's a delicate floral undertone in this gin, adding depth to its aroma without overpowering other botanicals.

🍇 Fruit: 5/5 The star of the show, Plymouth Sloe Gin bursts with rich cherry and almond flavors from fresh sloe berries. Its luscious fruity profile sets it apart and makes it a standout choice.

🌿 Herbal: 3/5 Balanced herbal undertones contribute to the complexity of Plymouth Sloe Gin, enhancing its overall depth of flavor and adding an intriguing dimension.

🌶️ Spice: 1/5 Subtle hints of pepper emerge, contributing to the gin's complexity without overshadowing its fruity and herbal notes.

🍹 ABV: 26% With a moderate ABV of 26%, Plymouth Sloe Gin offers a smooth and approachable drinking experience, perfect for sipping neat or incorporating into cocktails (see below).

Overall Rating: 4 / 5

PLYMOUTH SLOE GIN ORIGINAL STRENGTH | 26%

Story: Sloe Gin 🍷

In the quiet parts of England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, where the old hedges tell stories, there was a little berry called sloe. It's small, like a dime, and doesn't taste great on its own. But clever Brits found a way to make it special: they soaked it in strong gin and a bit of sugar, creating something called sloe gin. 🧊

Sloe gin became a local favorite for its unique tart and rich flavor. People used to enjoy it in the winter to stay warm until Americans gave it a summer twist. They added citrus and soda water, making a drink called Sloe Gin Fizz. 🍹

But sloe gin had a tough time in the 60s and 70s. The original recipe almost disappeared, replaced by a copy made with different spirits. For a while, people forgot what real sloe gin tasted like. It took some time, but those who love its true flavor eventually found it again. Now, sloe gin is back, bringing a bit of British warmth to glasses around the world. 🍸🕰️

In simple terms, Sloe Gin isn't a regular spirit; it's more like a sweet liqueur. It's made using Sloe berries, which are like plums and come from the blackthorn bush. Unlike regular gin, Sloe Gin is less strong and has a sweeter taste, with an alcohol content ranging from 15-30%. 🍇🍸

Check out our Sloe Gin Blackthorn recipe below 👇

What is London Dry Gin? (Updated 2024)

Masterclass: Vermouth 🌿

Welcome to our Vermouth Masterclass! 🍷 In this session, we'll learn about vermouth and discover its potential to elevate your cocktail game. Whether you're a seasoned mixologist or a curious novice, there's something delightful awaiting you in the world of vermouth. Let's dive in:

1: What is Vermouth ?🍷 Let's start by learning about vermouth. It's a special kind of wine that's been fortified with herbs, spices, and other botanicals. There are two main types: sweet (red) and dry (white). They each have their own unique flavors that can make your cocktails taste amazing.

2: Exploring 🌟 There are lots of different brands of vermouth out there, like Martini, Noilly Prat, Dolin, Carpano Antica, and Cocchi Vermouth di Torino. Each brand has its own special taste, so it's fun to try them all and see which one you like best.

3: Tasting Notes 👃 Next, let's taste some vermouth! Try each kind by itself first. Notice the flavors and smells. Sweet vermouth can taste like caramel or vanilla, while dry vermouth is more herbal and a little bitter.

4: Cocktails 🍹 Now, let's talk cocktails! Start with classics like the Martini, Manhattan, Negroni, and Boulevardier. You can experiment with how much vermouth you use to find the perfect flavor for you.

5: Storage and Care ❄️ When you open a bottle of vermouth, keep it in the fridge to keep it fresh. Vermouth doesn't last as long as other drinks, so try to use it up within 3-6 months. You can also pour it into smaller bottles to make it last longer.

6: Pairing 🧀 Vermouth isn't just for cocktails! You can also drink it on its own or with snacks. Sweet vermouth goes well with chocolate or cheese, while dry vermouth is great with seafood or olives.

Congratulations, you've completed our Vermouth Masterclass! 🎉 Now you know all about vermouth and how to enjoy it in different ways. Keep exploring and trying new things to discover even more delicious drinks! 🍸

Check out our Vermouth Blackthorn recipe below 👇

Cocktail for the week: Blackthorn🍹

Ingredients:

2 ounces sloe gin
1 ounce sweet vermouth
Dash of Angostura bitters
Lemon peel for garnish

Directions:

Fill a mixing glass or shaker tin with ice.
Add the sloe gin, sweet vermouth, and a dash of Angostura bitters.
Stir well until the mixture is very cold.
Strain the cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass or two cordial glasses.
Squeeze a lemon peel over the top of the drink to release its oils.
Drop the lemon peel into the cocktail.

The Blackthorn dates back to the 1890s and the Blackthorn appears in William "Cocktail Bill" Boothby features a version of this cocktail in his 1908 World's Drinks And How To Mix Them

Community Spotlight: Gin Costs 💰

Fascinating infographic shared by Papillon Gin, a craft distillery based in Dartmoor, UK. It sheds light on the intricate process of running a distillery—a true labor of love.

Here's to celebrating the dedication and passion of all the local craft distillers out there who contribute to making the world of Gin absolutely amazing! 🍸

Also, we ran our very 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!