All posts tagged: Gin

Kale Tom Collins a.k.a. “The Balancing Act”

This is my healthy, refreshing version of the classic cocktail, a Tom Collins, which is mentioned in the 1877 Bon Vivant’s Companion, by Jerry Thomas, the George Washington of American mixology.  I love it for it’s simple elegance, few drinks are as refreshing on a summer afternoon.  Quick history of the Tom Collins: A certain John Collins, a waiter at Limmer’s Old House in Hanover Square in London get’s his name attatched to a drink with lemon, sugar, soda and Holland gin. Later, someone had the bright idea to make it with Old Tom gin and switched the name accordingly. So there we have it, A Kale Tom Collins. -Cheers! Ingredients: 2 oz Gin  (preferably Hendrick’s) 1/2 oz each fresh squeezed Lemon, Kale and Green Apple Juice 1/4 – 1/2 oz pure Maple Syrup (depending on taste, I like 1/4 oz) Sparkling Mineral Water Combine the ingredients in a Collins glass 3/4 full of cracked ice.  Stir briefly, then top with club soda or sparkling mineral water.  Garnish with a lemon wheel with a small kale leaf …

Fourth of July Punchbowl

Gin is a marvelous summer drink. Everyone complains that they can’t drink gin, that they prefer vodka, that gin leaves them crying hysterically in i-hop doorways at 4am. The naughty ponies… Anyway, to those that proclaim they don’t like gin, I make them this and change their minds: In a large industrial size cocktail shaker  muddle 10 slices of cucumber 3/4 sprigs of mint 2 1/2oz freshly squeezed lime juice 2 1/2 oz simple syrup Then  add 8 oz gin, shake and double strain into a punchbowl. I like to add a large block of ice (again I use old fashioned jello molds, for this cocktail I would freeze some mint leaves or lime slices within) The result is a lovely, fresh, not too sweet ginny drink, perfect for ladling out under the sun. Alice xo