A gin-based cocktail with a classic gin is perfect for any time of the year because of it’s so cool, refreshing and who doesn’t need a little refreshing even in the winter months? Right!?!
Under the many tents at the 2021 Austin Food + Wine Festival there are so many of my favorite spirits to sample that I simply have trouble deciding where to begin. But, this year, I saw gin and I made a bee-line to the Zephyr Gin Tent!
Zephyr Gin, an ultra-premium gin with added influences of elderberry, will be offered two craft cocktails that showcased the adventurous and modern spirit. The Southside is a classic gin cocktail pairing Zephyr Gin, citrus and mint and the Earl Grey Collins is a carbonated draft cocktail combining Zephyr Black with Earl Grey tea and lemon juice. Recipes can be found: https://zephyrgin.com
Any cocktail with gin is going to be my favorite because I just love the refreshing floral, herbaceous botanicals, clean crisp flavors and aromas gin offers to a cocktail. So, while I was sipping on the Southside and Negroni, I learned a lot about this particular gin.
Zephyr Ultra Premium Gin with Elderberry and Elderflower
Here’s a little history this gin from the Langley Distillery in Birmingham, UK
Zephyr Gin is an ultra-premium gin distilled at the Langley Distillery in Birmingham, UK, which has long history and heritage in gin making, dating back to the early 1800s. The distillery, which was built over an ancient underground water source, started making gin in 1920, and through continuous improvement developed into a producer of the finest award-winning gins. Today, the facility also produces neutral alcohols and botanicals. Langley Distillery uses some of the oldest working copper gin stills in the UK, with its oldest still, McKay, dating back to the 1860s. Its capacity is 200 liters, while the capacity of the distillery’s newest still, Jenny, which was built by McMillians in 1994, is 12,000 liters. The distillery produces gins with traditional methods, using the highest quality neutral alcohol and botanicals to create the finest gins. The gin’s unique flavor comes from carefully selected botanicals, which are precisely weighted and macerated overnight with an ethanol and water solution. Once infused with the essential oils, the liquid is ready for distillation.
Zephyr Gin is a classic gin with added influences of elderberry and elderflower botanicals to create a crisp, smooth finish. The distillation of this gin takes three days, during which botanicals from around the world, such as coriander, angelica root, lemon peel, and of course juniper, are introduced to English wheat distillate. This expression is bottled at 80 proof for a pleasant experience.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is floral, with notes of violets, lavender, sweet berries and mild citrus, and with juniper undertones. The medium-bodied palate is light and soft, with aromas of berry, ginger, lemon and cooling herbs. The finish is dry and pleasant.
Zephyr Gin is an ultra-premium gin distilled at the Langley Distillery in Birmingham, UK, with a long history and rich heritage in gin making, dating back to the early 1800s. The distillery, which was built over an ancient underground water source, started making gin in 1920, and through continuous improvement developed into a producer of the finest award-winning gins.
Today, the facility also produces neutral alcohols and botanicals. Langley Distillery uses some of the oldest working copper gin stills in the UK, with its oldest still, McKay, dating back to the 1860s. Its capacity is 200 liters, while the capacity of the distillery’s newest still, Jenny, which was built by McMillians in 1994, is 12,000 liters. The distillery produces gins with traditional methods, using the highest quality neutral alcohol and botanicals to create the finest gins. The gin’s unique flavor comes from carefully selected botanicals, which are precisely weighted and macerated overnight with an ethanol and water solution. Once infused with the essential oils, the liquid is ready for distillation.
Zephyr Black London Dry Gin is a traditional ultra-premium London dry gin with a twist: its botanical profile includes elderberry and elderflower among the 16 carefully chosen botanicals. Bottled at 80 proof, it’s an innovative and adventurous twist on a classic gin, which owes its name to the Greek and Roman God of the West Wind to symbolize a fresh breeze in the spirits world.
Tasting Notes:
SOUTHSIDE
- 2 OZ ZEPHYR GIN
- .75 OZ LIME JUICE
- .5 OZ SIMPLE SYRUP
- SPLASH OF CLUB SODA
- FRESH MINT LEAVES
MIX ALL INGREDIENTS EXCEPT CLUB SODA INTO A COCKTAIL SHAKER WITH ICE AND SHAKE UNTIL WELL CHILLED. STRAIN INTO A HIGHBALL GLASS FILLED WITH ICE. TOP OFF WITH A SPLASH OF CLUB SODA. SPANK A MINT SPRIG AGAINST YOUR HAND TO RELEASE THE OILS AND GARNISH.
Negroni
1 oz Zephyr Black Gin
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari
Orange Peel
Mix all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled. Strain over a single large ice cube. Garnish with an orange twist.
