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Beefeater Hanky Panky 60 ml Beefeater Gin 60 ml Italian or sweet vermouth 2 dash fernet branca Shake all in a cocktail shaker over ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass with an orange peel for garnish. Beefeater, Apple and Ginger 60 ml Beefeater Gin 60 ml apple juice 60 ml ginger-ale Pour gin [...]

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Gin & Bitters

I’m back to considering what to have with gin, and as I’m feeling rather bitter about life these days why not add a teaspoon of Angostura Bitters to a mixing glass with ice cubes and 60 ml gin- stir- strain into a cocktail glass. To expect too much is to have a sentimental view of [...]

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That Ol’ Spring Feeling

I can’t help it, when it’s Easter I think of Spring. In this southern hemisphere it is indeed Autumn, but either way I have no plans for the break apart from cleaning. Yes, the ‘spring’ cleaning bug has bit me… Spring Feeling 45 ml gin 15 ml lemon juice 15 ml green chartreuse ( a [...]

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Gin & Sin

Combine 60 ml gin and a teaspoon of cinzano in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and serve in a cocktail glass. Gin was first introduced to the English in the 17th century as an alternative to French brandy. In the first half of 18th century London, it became the drink of choice amidst the [...]

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Gin & It

Combine 30 ml gin and 30 ml dry vermouth in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and serve in a cocktail glass. And while we are on the subject, James Bond usually likes his martini “shaken, not stirred” but purists would say this clouds or bruises the gin too much. As I’ve already covered this [...]

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Emerald Isle

St Patrick’s Day is just a day away, so I’m thinking of Irish themed cocktails this week.  I covered Bailey’s Irish Cream in my January post ‘Sunday Pampering and Irish Cream’ and I’ll probably come back to it as I’ve  a whole mint of recipes to consider. In the meantime, I thought of a green [...]

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The Gibson and its Skin-loving Ingredient

Whether The Gibson originated at The Player’s Club in New York or The Bohemian Club in San Francisco is open to debate, but the fact is that someone named Gibson was involved and someone named Gibson requested a variation on the Martini. The Gibson was born: 75 ml gin Dash- or two- of dry vermouth [...]

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Not quite

I prefer vodka martinis although purists swear by gin alone. If you care for another spirit, consider these: Tequini 75  ml white tequila 15 ml dry vermouth All into a mixing glass with ice- stir- strain it into the cocktail glass- and garnish with a lemon twist. Rumartini 75  ml white rum 15 ml dry [...]

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Stab in the Dark

My vet and I are trying to hit at something blindly – hopefully the bacterial infection in my kitten’s tummy!  I was attempting to await test results to pinpoint exactly what’s going on, but since they might not come in before the weekend and she is increasingly uncomfortable we decided to give her a broad [...]

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Nonconformist

Yesterday I covered some classics. Now here are some unconventional alternatives (with a bath included!)  for when creativity and inspiration come to visit: Saketini 60 ml gin 10 ml sake Shake in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into the cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice or two of pickled ginger. Try this out [...]

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