Have you heard about GIN Mule? In the future, it may be a popular method for alcoholic recovery. What is this thing? Why is it so special?
At first glance, GIN Mule resembles the drink that many of us have come to know as martini: the dry martini shaken not by the shaking technique but by a traditional button-down glass held in one hand and the lemon or orange juice in another. For years this drink has been associated with Italian vermouth and Manhattan. The recipe for the original martini was devised by a Barolo in Tuscany. This drink is usually consumed with some dry vermouth, some slices of orange or lime, and a touch of simple sugar or sparkling wine (and some cheese and a little ginger ale). Most bartenders will also include brandy in the recipe.
The ginseng, known botanically as Panax quinquefolius, is used in this drink. The dried leaves are steeped for 30 seconds in a simple syrup made of just enough water to cover the leaves and the flavor of the Panax is enhanced. The result is a light, fresh and tasty drink. This process is usually done without the use of alcohol, although if it is the ingredient that makes the drink a martini it is unnecessary. If the dry leaves are steeped in just enough water, the syrup can be simply reduced to a syrup. No carbonated drinks are needed; in fact, the carbonation in the drink actually masks the taste of the gin.
To make a martini, simply pour half a glass of ginger ale (be sure to add some Rosemary for that extra kick), one half a glass of freshly squeezed lime juice and two-thirds of a cup of very fine sugar. Add grated lemon peel and garnish with a sprig of mint. It's that easy. The gin mule was created in much the same way. Just with a few twists.
Of course, there's no shortage of places to buy martinis, including the martini bar down the street. But if you're like me, who wants to get dressed and leave the house to get a drink anyway? The answer is The gin mule! It's such a simple and elegant drink, it goes great with virtually any kind of dinner, although it works great as a base for a more complex cocktail, especially one using other spices, cheese, or olives.
A simpler version of the gin mule can be made at home using just ginger ale, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This is also a great recipe for when you have guests over since it's always refreshing to serve up the classic frozen drink. If you want to take it up a notch, try a Manhattan, with just a touch of vermouth added for a sweeter twist. Or make a Manhattan with just gin and tonic, and use either a regular soda or herbal tonic such as eucalyptus or peppermint for the ginger beer (which is what really gives it the unique flavor). It's also a good idea to add a small handful of ice to your Manhattan, just to keep the temperature down; that can help the drink from getting too cold.
If you like the idea of mixing alcohol and fruit in order to create a more exotic drink, the mojito is another modern classic that is easy to make at home. Just mix up the ingredients (tea, fresh lime juice, mint leaves, and sugar) and let them cool. You can then pour it into a glass, add some ice, shake, and enjoy your very own mojito! Another interesting variation on the monitor is to replace the lime juice with green mangoes, which are readily available at almost any grocery store.
Finally, a simple way to spruce up your gin and tonic is to make a simple syrup with ginger ale and lime juice. This makes a cool summer drink, especially when you top it off with a little mint julep for some added complexity. The great thing about these drinks is that they're easy to make, and require no special equipment. Try one today to see how easy it can be to have cool ginger ale and minty limeade for your next get-together.
