Before we get to the Christmas gin cocktails, let us consider snow. There are many peculiar things about snow, one being that it is a mineral… at least until it melts. The world’s tallest recorded snowman was, astonishingly, over 124 feet (38.04 metres) tall. This is equivalent to the height of around 115 cucumbers standing end-to-end on top of each other. The monstrous snowman in question was made in Austria in 2020, and nicknamed ‘Reisi’.
According to researchers at the University of Glasgow, the Scots language has a chillingly impressive 421 terms that relate to snow, including the rather brilliant ‘skelf’, meaning ‘a large snowflake’. Other Scots snow words include: ‘Fyoonach’: a light dusting of snow, ‘Snaw-breaker:’ a brave sheep that cuts a path through thick snow to save her sister sheep, and ‘Snaw-ghast:’ a ghostly apparition seen in a snow-storm. It is very hard taking a long walk through snow, and this has earned a verb of its own: to ‘meggle’. Many of the Scots snow terms are onomatopoeic (the word sounding like its meaning), such as the swirl of snow being the utterly fantastic ‘feefle’.
Some of us long for snow on December 25, but snow is not an obedient weather condition, and often fails to fall on request. Fortunately, the good cheer of the festive season is not weather-dependent, and comes from the warmth of a host – and the gathering together of family and friends. It is the time for unusually decadent treats, so let us consider objectively which are the four most exquisite winter gin cocktails. Did we say objectively? We apologise… that is not strictly true, but the reason for our bias is the fact that we have done our research. Over the last few months, we have taken the effort to sample dozens of specially selected winter cocktail recipes (37, to be precise) before whittling them down to the winning quartet we’re about to share with you. Within this four you should find one that is particularly appealing.
Four festive gin cocktail recipes to warm the coldest cockles and please the most playful palates this Christmas, with Hendrick’s Gin.
HOT GIN OLD FASHIONED
The HOT GIN OLD FASHIONED is a warming punch to greet friends in from the cold. It is a remarkable 'unscrooger' to warm the festive cabin of the heart. It goes very well with long funny conversations when catching up with loved ones.
INGREDIENTS
- 50ml HENDRICK’S GIN
- 10ml Sugar Syrup
- 2 Dashes of Orange Bitters
- 50ml Boiling Water with a twist of orange
HOW TO MAKE
- Gently heat first 3 ingredients in a pan.
- Add 50ml Boiling Water.
- Serve in a tankard or teacup and garnish with an orange twist.
MICAWBER’S HOT GIN PUNCH
A mulled HOT GIN PUNCH to warm the cockles and melt the stalactites. Featuring honey, cinnamon and nutmeg, and a dalliance of HENDRICK’S GIN and Madeira Wine. Thanks to the irascible Mr Micawber for sharing his Hot Gin Punch recipe.
INGREDIENTS
- 400ml HENDRICK'S GIN
- 400ml Madeira Wine
- 2 Teaspoons of Brown Sugar
- 6 Large Lemon and Orange Twists
- 1 Small Slice Orange
- 1 Fresh Pineapple
- 4 Teaspoons of Honey
HOW TO MAKE
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small pot and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
- Pour into a teapot and serve hot in teacups with some gingerbread on the side.
HENDRICK’S BUCK
A bracing walk on a crisp afternoon and then home for a beloved Buck. The Buck stops, or rather lingers here, and seduces the palate with a dazzling display of ginger, lemon, Angostura Bitters® and HENDRICK’S GIN herself. A gin cocktail of unsurpassed buckitude (we made up this word because the world needs it).
INGREDIENTS
- 50ml HENDRICK'S GIN
- 15ml Lemon Juice
- 2 Dashes of ANGOSTURA® Bitters
- Top with Ginger Ale
HOW TO MAKE
- Combine all ingredients in a highball filled with cubed ice.
- Lightly stir and serve.
- Garnish with 3 thinly sliced rounds of cucumber
HENDRICK’S MOONLIGHT BUCK
A midnight walk, a dance in the valley illuminated by the majestic moon, then clinking glasses in candlelight. The HENDRICK’S MOONLIGHT BUCK is a peculiar tale of mystical dancing lemons and star-kissed ginger that somehow makes far more sense than it should.
INGREDIENTS
- 50ml HENDRICK’S LUNAR GIN
- 150ml Premium Ginger Ale
- 15ml Lemon Juice
- 3 Cucumber Slices
- Lemon Peel
HOW TO MAKE
- Combine all ingredients in a highball filled with ice.
- Lightly stir.
- Garnish with 3 thinly sliced rounds of cucumber and a twist of lemon.
There are two schools of cocktail making; the traditionalists, who preserve the heritage of cocktails by following existing classic recipes precisely – and the innovators, who creatively alter and invent recipes to suit their own tastes. If you are the latter, and have found ways to further improve these already delicious Christmas gin cocktail recipes, then please do let us know.
Simply Click here to find HENDRICK’S Gin holiday cocktail recipes, perfect for festive frivolities, and seasonal soirees.
Yours in gin, love and the usual unsual,
Hendrick’s Gin
