Gin Thread!

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by shibby4781

I'm glad I came across this thread today! I'm not a big gin drinker but have wanted to dive further into it. I have enjoyed GNT's for years when I'm out with the wife but never really cared or specified what brand of gin to use. From what I have read it seem like for those you can use pretty much anything. I really want to try more martinis. Are there acceptable and unacceptable gins to use for martinis? Also, could anyone be so kind as to steer me in the direction for a decent all-purpose gin or for that matter one I should try right away?

You can get away with using cheaper liquor when mixing in cocktails. However, using a higher end liquor will make a much tastier cocktail.

My favorite, everyday gin is New Amsterdam. I can get a 1.5L for $18-$20. And it is good enough to drink in a martini.

If you are starting out with martinis, I suggest New Amsterdam, Tanqueray, Beefeater and/or Bombay. I would not use the cheapo brands of gin.

If you have a question about a specific gin, feel free to post about it here or PM me.

[shibby4781]

Originally Posted by pnoon

My favorite, everyday gin is New Amsterdam. I can get a 1.5L for $18-$20. And it is good enough to drink in a martini.

If you are starting out with martinis, I suggest New Amsterdam, Tanqueray, Beefeater and/or Bombay. I would not use the cheapo brands of gin.

Thanks, Peter! Looks like I will be stopping by the liquor store on my way home. Any suggestions/lessons about the beginner's martini?

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by shibby4781

Thanks, Peter! Looks like I will be stopping by the liquor store on my way home. Any suggestions/lessons about the beginner's martini?

Like anything, it's all about personal preference.

Some like them stirred over ice. Others, like me, like them shaken and then strained into a martini glass. Some say shake gently. I prefer them shaken vigorously. Amount of (dry) vermouth is definitely one of taste. Many say waving the cap of the vermouth bottle over the shaker is plenty (none). I have seen the proportion as high as 3 parts gin to 1 part vermouth. I prefer ~5 to 1. I will usually just free pour a capful or a tad more into the shaker with the ice and gin. Whenever I try a new gin, like the many I've recently posted above, I omit the vermouth in order to get the true flavor of the gin. I then revert to adding some (but not much).

There is much to be enjoyed in the experimentation.