Move over hot toddies and mulled wine! Hot gin cocktails are the best way to chase away the nip in the air, and Flowstone Gin has some delicious recipes starring their favourite spirit.
Did you know that cold temperatures mask certain flavour and compounds in gin?
Meanwhile hot temperatures accentuate and add more depth to flavour. When sipping on your cocktails, you’ll notice more fruity, spicy or floral notes once your bevvy has been heated.
We’re happy to share that Flowstone Gin can be gently warmed and still maintain that great taste you love. Here’s a hot tip; gin should generally be heated in a saucepan but ensure not to go too far because too much heating evaporates the alcohol. However, if a mocktail is your fancy then you can check out Flowstone’s non- alcoholic gin range. So, snuggle up to a heater or fire or invite some friends over and whip up one of these easy winter warmers.
(They’re also a comforting and natural remedy for mild colds. A tot of gin in a hot drink adds a dose of analgesic and has good decongestant properties.) If you want to try a hot gin cocktail at home but aren’t too sure how, here are some of our favourites:
HOT N SPICY MARTINI
Ingredients:
- 100ml boiling water
- 1 chai tea bag
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 2.5 tablespoons of cranberry juice
- 3 tablespoons Flowstone Bushwillow Gin
- 1 tablespoon vermouth (sweet or dry)
Method:
- In a mug, pour boiling water over the tea bag, add cinnamon stick and star anise and allow to brew for 3 minutes. Remove the tea bag. Add the honey/maple syrup, cranberry juice, Bushwillow Gin and vermouth. If not sufficiently hot, decant into a glass jar and seal. Stand the jar in a basin of boiling water until your martini has warmed through. Serve with a gingerbread biscuit.
HOT ESPRESSO MARTINI
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons Flowstone Snuffbox gin
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Kahlua or Tia Maria
- half a cup of espresso, hot
- fresh cream
- coffee beans, to garnish
Method:
- Add the gin, maple syrup, coffee liqueur and espresso to a glass jar that seals well. Stand the jar in a basin of boiling water until the contents has warmed through. Remove and pour into a broad-rimmed glass. Float lightly whipped fresh cream on top and garnish with the coffee beans.
WARM APPLE CIDER MARTINI
Ingredients:
- half a cup apple cider
- 3 tablespoons Flowstone gin
- 1 tablespoon of Calvados or apple brandy
- caramel sauce*
- cinnamon, apple slices, to garnish
Method:
- Pour some caramel sauce into a shallow bowl. Dip a glass into the sauce. Simmer the cider gently in a small pan. Once warm, add the gin and apple brandy. Stir, then pour into your glass. Float a thin slice of apple on top and dust with cinnamon.
* To make your own caramel sauce, melt 0.5 cup butter with 0.5 cup white sugar, stirring constantly. When the colour of amber, remove from the heat and continue to stir while adding 0.5 cup cream. Add a little salt to taste.
Buy the Flowstone range of gin online at www.flowstone.co.za as well as Makro and Takealot. To connect with Flowstone, visit Facebook at @FlowstoneGin and Instagram @flowstonegin.
