Fresh, fruity and bright, the Gin Blossom cocktail is a modern classic that will delight your taste buds.
Sometimes a Martini is the perfect sipper for a fancy and fully dressed evening. Other times it can be any number of legendary tipples, like the Old Fashioned or French 75. But back in the early 2000s, a new era of cocktails was born, many of them inspired by the icons of yesteryear that still loom large to this day.
The Gin Blossom is a smooth, sweet and brighter take on the monolithic Gin Martini. I myself love to make my ‘Tini using gin and bianco vermouth as opposed to dry, the way this cocktail does, so when I had the opportunity to sip on a few of these, I jumped at the chance. The apricot eau-de-vie only enhanced my enjoyment, making me know after my first taste that I’d be ordering at least two more. Especially since I wasn’t driving.
Created in 2008 by mixologist Julie Reiner for her Brooklyn-based bar Clover Club, the Gin Blossom cemented itself amongst a wave of revived historic tipples and new creations alike, offering a softer flavor to the Martini, without losing any of the power.
What is the best alcohol to use in a Gin Blossom cocktail?
For this elegant and sophisticated sipper, I went with a simple and strong Tanqueray London Dry gin and a Dolin bianco vermouth. I always keep a bottle of both at my home bar, as the gin is a balanced one, being neither overpowering or too strong in its flavor infusions. The Dolin bianco vermouth is simply high quality and smooth. Side note, always keep your vermouth chilled in your fridge, and keep an eye on how long you’ve had it since it’s been opened… Vermouth does go bad.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 3/4 ounce bianco vermouth
- 3/4 ounce apricot eau-de-vie
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Orange twist for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the gin, vermouth, apricot eau-de-vie, and orange bitters.
- Stir well until the drink is nicely chilled. Strain into a pre-chilled coupe glass.
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail and use it as garnish.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Chill a cocktail coupe in your freezer for around 15 to 30 minutes before serving for an extra cold and crisp experience. Once you’re ready to sip, garnish with an orange twist after expressing its oils over your beverage.
What is eau-de-vie?
This is a clear, fruit-distilled brandy that is made from any produce other than grapes. A French term that means water of life, eau-de-vie style spirits are also produced all over the world, with many varieties being available in places such as the Caribbean, which offer versions made from banana, mango and pineapple, amongst other tropical fruits.
Similar drinks to the Gin Blossom cocktail
After enjoying a Gin Blossom or two this afternoon, you’ve started to wonder about other light-tasting—but potent—mixtures that your new bottle of gin might help provide. Wonder no longer, as Twist & Toast can offer up some wonderful recipe ideas for you to try out and sip on this very moment.
- The Last Word – Gin, maraschino liqueur and green Chartreuse have the final say in this drink.
- Blue Moon – Gin, lemon juice and crème de violette craft this dreamy sipper.
- Eastside – Cucumber brings a fresh zip to this gin tipple.
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