Happy World Gin day to all those who celebrate! Of course down here in Aotearoa we’re celebrating the start of winter, so why not combine the two with a delicious gin cocktail that’s winter-appropriate and bloody delicious – and who doesn’t love a winter cocktails!
Head distiller of Lighthouse Gin Rachel Hall has come up with two perfect cocktail recipes for the occasion – a creamy take on the iconic ginger kiss biscuit, and a warming mulled gin perfect for a chilly afternoon bevvie.
GIN-ger Kiss
Ingredients:
45ml Lighthouse Gin
30ml white cacao liqueur
45ml cream
20ml ginger syrup
Pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon
Method:
1. Fill a shaker with ice cubes
2. Add gin, white cacao liqueur, cream and ginger syrup
3. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass
4. Lightly sprinkle with nutmeg or cinnamon
5. Garnish with a ginger kiss biscuit or candied ginger
Mulled Gin
Ingredients:
1 litre pure apple juice
2 cinnamon sticks
3 whole cloves
1 star anise
1 tablespoon honey
2 chamomile teabags
Zest of half an orange plus two slices of orange
100ml Lighthouse Gin
Method:
1. Put two cinnamon sticks, three whole cloves, one star anise, two slices of orange and the zest of half an orange in a large pot and warm until fragrant
2. Add one tablespoon of honey, two chamomile tea bags, one litre of apple juice and warm on low for 1-2 hours
3. Add 100ml of gin and gently warm, making sure not to overheat as the alcohol will burn off
4. Strain into a mug or heatproof glass, garnish with slices of orange or more of your favourite spices, and enjoy
