Gin and Tales: A Unique Online Cocktail Bible

Gin, that quintessentially English tipple is having a makeover thanks to the brains at both Beefeater & Plymouth Gin.

Forget adding plain old tonic water with ice n’ a slice, ‘Gin & Tales‘ is a brand new website offering endless inspiration for gin based cocktails using expert knowledge from some of London’s best bar tenders and offering articles from Dre Masso, the site’s editor and one of the capital’s leading mixologists.

His step by step videos demonstrate how to tackle the trickier techniques using a range of recipes to suit every mood and ability (each recipe is clearly marked with a level – basic, easy, medium, tricky and pro) – a great way for any clueless cocktail lovers to turn mixology aficionados!

I enjoyed a sneak preview of Beefeaters limited edition market gin during at a ‘GinandTales’ summer cocktail masterclass held at the rather swanky Bennett bar in Battersea.

Infused with pomegranate, kaffir lime leaves and the exotic spice of cardamom pods, this version is perfect for adding into a sparkling bellini, zesty mojitos or light & fruity punch. Master distiller Desmond Payne, says: “By using these exotic botanicals, I wanted to create a gin that captures the drinker’s imagination, reminding them of all the colourful aromas, tastes and charm of London’s bustling markets in the summertime.”

For those if you looking to spice up an afternoon tea try starting with these rather spirited alternatives:

Almond Iced Tea

60ml Beefeater 24 gin
90ml chilled Sencha tea (brew Sencha tea in hot water then put in fridge until chilled)
20ml Orgeat Syrup
10ml Sugar Syrup
10ml Lemon Juice

Mix all the ingredients in a tall glass with ice, garnish with a lemon wheel.

Pomegrante Fizz

40ml Beefeater Market Edition
Flesh from half a pomegranate
30ml Dubonnet
Champagne or sparkling wine

Muddle the gin, pomegranate and Dubonnet in a cocktail shaker, shake, double strain into Champagne flute and top with the Champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Kaffir Lime-ade Pictured above.

50ml Beefeater Market Edition

25ml lime juice

15ml kaffir lime leaf syrup

Soda water

Ice cubes

Glass: Highball

Garnish: lime wheel and kaffir lime leaf

Combine all the ingredients, apart from the soda water, in a cocktail shaker, shake and strain into the glass and top with soda water

Beefeater Market Gin is available to buy from selected retailers from August/September.