Gin Garden Martini + Bourbon Peach Smash

It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I like a fancy cocktail from time to time. A few years ago, we had a ‘forgotten cocktail’ party to celebrate my 35th birthday and as part of the preparation for that event I did a bunch of research into cocktails that have gone out of fashion. In the past several years there has been a cocktail renaissance happening with loads of small batch distilleries and bartenders changing their titles to ‘cocktail artists’. I’m all for it personally.

For Brian’s 41st birthday this year, we made some new-to-us cocktails that were super tasty. Here are the recipes (these are adapted from a Hamlyn cocktail book inventively called ‘200 cocktails’):

Gin Garden Martini

(makes 2)

Equipment: 2 chilled martini glasses, muddling stick (I used a rolling-pin!), cocktail measure, cocktail shaker, strainer

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cucumber, peeled and chopped, plus extra slices for garnish (I used a Euro-cucumber)
• 1 measure elderflower cordial (I couldn’t find this – so I used an apple and elderflower juice)
• 4 measures gin (Bombay Saphire, of course).
• 2 measures of apple juice (I used the same apple and elderflower juice)
• ice cubes

*Note: I use the ‘large’ side of the cocktail measure (mine says 1 1/2 on it) not the small side.

Make it:

• Muddle the cucumber in the bottom of a cocktail shaker with the elderflower cordial (or, in my case, with a scant measure of apple and elderflower juice)
• Add the gin, apple juice and some ice cubes to the cocktail shaker and shake well.
• Double strain into 2 chilled martini glasses.
• Garnish with a slice of peeled cucumber.
• Drink!

Here is what ours looked like:

Bourbon and Peach Smash

(makes 2)

Equipment: 2 old-fashioned glasses, muddling stick (again, I used a rolling-pin), cocktail shaker, cocktail measure, strainer.

Ingredients:

• 12 mint leaves, plus sprigs to decorate
• 6 peach slices
• 6 lemon slices, plus twists to decorate
• 4 teaspoons caster sugar
• 4 measures bourbon (Makers Mark, of course)
• Ice cubes, plus crushed ice to serve

*Note: I use the ‘large’ side of the cocktail measure (mine says 1 1/2 on it) not the small side.

Make it:

• Muddle the mint leaves, peach and lemon slices and sugar in the cocktail shaker.
• Add the bourbon and some ice cubes and shake well.
• Strain over cracked ice into 2 old-fashioned glasses.
• Garnish each with a mint sprig and a lemon twist.
• Drink!

Here is what ours looked like:

Of the two cocktails above, our favorite was the gin garden martini, but I know some people don’t like cucumbers so thought I’d share both. The peach bourbon smash was duper delish too.