World Gin Day is celebrated on the 2nd Saturday in June. That’s tomorrow. As G&T’s are my go-to cocktail and this is a specialized food day that I enjoy celebrating, I decided to do some research to learn a bit more about this botanical spirit that I so enjoy.
This globally celebrated distilled liquor originated as a medicinal tonic made from juniper berries in the Middle Ages. Monks and alchemists used the berry distillation to cure indigestion, stomach issues, and even the plague. In the 17th century, a precursor to gin was crafted in the Netherlands. The Dutch shared their jenever with the English soldiers they fought alongside during the Thirty Years’ War. The spirit was used to calm the soldiers nerves before battles and came to be known as “Dutch courage”. Gin became popular in England during the 18th century when William of Orange took over the English throne.
The British Empire is creditied with the creation of the Gin & Tonic. In the 19th century, while serving in tropical colonies, British officers and sailors mixed gin, sugar, and lime with the bitter, anti-malarial quinine in an effort to make the medicine more palatable. Although the popularity of gin declined in the 20th century when vodka took over the market, gin is currently enjoying a revival due to the massive surge in artisanal distilleries that are experimenting with diverse botanicals.
The addition of blueberry simple syrup to a gin & tonic is a fresh, floral and fruity twist on the classic summertime favorite. The lime has an important role in this variation. It’s slightly sour flavor complements the herbal earthiness of the gin and the sweetness of the blueberries. Top the cocktail off with additional blueberries and a fresh mint sprig for a flavorful & refreshing Summer cooler!
Blueberry Gin & Tonic
Blueberry Gin and Tonic (adapted from tasteofhome.com) Total Time Required: 1 hour + chill time, Prep Time: 5 minutes, Cook Time: 10 minutes, Steep Time: 45 minutes Makes: 8 cocktails
Ingredients:
Blueberry Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Cocktail
- 2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce blueberry simple syrup
- 4 ounces tonic water
- blueberries, lime wedge, fresh mint sprig for garnish
Directions:
To make the blueberry simple syrup, combine the water, sugar and blueberries in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the simple syrup to sit, covered, for at least 45 minutes.
Combine the blueberries with the water and sugar to make the blueberry simple syrup.
Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass container, pressing down on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solids. Cover the simple syrup and chill until ready to use.
Strain the simple syrup.
To make the cocktail, fill a highball glass with ice. Add the gin, lime juice and blueberry simple syrup to the glass, stirring to combine.
Add the simple syrup, lime juice, gin, and tonic to the glass.
Top the cocktail with tonic water and stir once more. Garnish the drink with fresh blueberries, a lime wedge, and sprig of fresh mint. Refrigerate the remaining blueberry simple syrup for later use.
Garnish with blueberries and mint and enjoy!
Craft cocktails make any night special! ~Linda
Blueberry Gin and Tonic (adapted from tasteofhome.com) Total Time Required: 1 hour + chill time, Prep Time: 5 minutes, Cook Time: 10 minutes, Steep Time: 45 minutes Makes: 8 cocktails
Ingredients:
Blueberry Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Cocktail
- 2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce blueberry simple syrup
- 4 ounces tonic water
- blueberries, lime wedge, fresh mint sprig for garnish
Directions:
To make the blueberry simple syrup, combine the water, sugar and blueberries in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the simple syrup to sit, covered, for at least 45 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass container, pressing down on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solids. Cover the simple syrup and chill until ready to use.
To make the cocktail, fill a highball glass with ice. Add the gin, lime juice and blueberry simple syrup to the glass, stirring to combine. Top the cocktail with tonic water and stir once more. Garnish the drink with fresh blueberries, a lime wedge, and sprig of fresh mint. Refrigerate the remaining blueberry simple syrup for later use.