Gin, gin, the magical drink
The deluge started this afternoon, settling itself in for the weekend like an unwanted house guest. Can you tell that I am pretty much over the rain this season? In my mind there is only one cure for such unsavoury situations like the arrive of the pineapple express. Gin.
Gin has long been a favourite of mine, but not because I often have unwanted house guests. I love its botanical flavours, its simplicity and at the same time its complexity. It was much to my delight when I learned that 2 and a half blocks for my house, a small batch distillery had opened up. Joy of joys, gin was one item on their fresh sheet. So after work one day I meandered on down to their store front to check out the situation.
Long Table Distillery is Vancouver’s first small batch distillery. Charles, one of the owners showed us around, introduced us to their products and shared some of the exciting things we have to look forward to from Long Table. Then Charles pulled out a 10 gallon bucket of foraged juniper berries. Long Table’s London Dry style gin lets their hand-picked, west coast juniper berries be the star, with just a lovely hint of lemon. All and all the gin is a real star. One that is equally exceptional, whether enjoyed shaken over ice or in a cocktail. Did I mention their distillery is just one block off my daily running route. I think I need to adjust my route!
Lemongrass, Gin & Soda
2 oz gin
1 oz lemongrass syrup (recipe below)
Dash of fresh lime juice
Soda water
Fill a highball glass half full of ice, pour in gin, lemongrass syrup and the juice of one wedge of lime. Stir and top with soda water. Garnish with a lime. I found experimenting with different types of citrus can give you really lovely results. You could switch out the lime for a little blood orange and lemon or perhaps even a meyer lemon.
Lemongrass Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 stalks lemongrass (core only) grated or sliced
In a small sauce pan bring to a light boil water, sugar and lemongrass. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Gently boil for 10 to 15 minutes, then set aside to cool. Using a sieve or cheese cloth strain the lemongrass from the syrup, pour into a jar and store in the fridge until you are ready to use it.
cocktail, distillery, drink, gin, lemongrass, long table, long table distillery
Maria@pinkpatisserie
Looks so delicious! I couldn’t agree more about the rain. So over it..
Tina
Thanks Maria!
Lili Courtney
Ginger, I am in your writing class with Cook n Scribble. What kind of camera are you using for your blog. Thatis going to be my next learning adventure. Did you take photography lessons? Thanks, Lili
Lili Courtney
Ginger, love the drink. I am in your Cook N Scribble class. I want to ask you about Photography, what camera do you use and did you take photography lessons?
Tina
Hi Lili!
Let me know how the drink turns out if you try it!
I’m just going to go ahead and speak for Ginger here, we both took a few general photography classes in university but nothing more than that. We have both had an interest in photography and have kept it up as a hobby. Ginger shoots with a Nikon DSLR and I shoot with a Panasonic mirco four thirds.
I hope that I have been helpful! Please feel free to ask away if you have any other specific questions!
Long Table Distillery
Tina – As we discussed, we love your photo expose of our Long Table London Dry Gin and your kind comments and the cocktail recipes. So great to see folks like yourself exploring the possibilities and taking such stunning images. Thank you!
Tina
Thank you so much for the kind words! I am so happy to use local product when I can, especially when they are as delicious as your gin. Oh, I went to O Five Rare Tea the other day on your recommendation! Wow, what lovely teas. Thank you.