Hot gin: the antidote for the cold fall days
Long gone are the Summer days, when we used to try to counteract the heat by enjoying a gin and tonic on a terrace. Now, the streets are filled with fall tones, the jackets come out of the closet and the temperatures go down. This doesn't seem to go well with gin, does it?
Not if we talk about hot gin. Hot gin is a delicious beverage with species that warms our throat, and it lets us feel the alcohol flavour in a smoother way than a conventional cocktail gin. The idea that you should only drink cold gin is, therefore, only a myth.
The history of hot gin goes back to the XVIII century, when, during the fairs by the Thames river, people used to heat the gin to better withstand the rigorous London winters. A few hundred years later, hot gin is back in the spotlight, giving the admirers more reasons and distinct ways to enjoy their favourite drink.
And why does an alcoholic hot drink taste so good? Science can explain. The low temperatures suppress certain flavours in gin, while the higher temperatures accentuate the botanical notes and give gin a more intense flavour.
And yes, we already thought that you were going to ask: how can I, then, make a hot gin?
The good news is that almost every gin can be heated without losing its flavour. On the other hand, you have to be careful during the heating process, since you can easily weaken the alcoholic content. Mixologists say that gin must be gradually heated in the stove, inside a pan or another suitable container, and you should always be careful not to burn or boil it. If you heat the gin more than approximately 25 celsius degrees you may evaporate the alcohol.
If you prefer a simpler method to warm your gin, just cover it with hot water. Imagine, for instance, you are preparing a gin and tonic. You only have to follow the regular recipe (add gin, tonic water and a lemon or lime zest) and, in the end, cover with hot water.
And if you think this is a drink that is only meant for the cold seasons, you’re wrong. Hot gin may be drunk at any time of the year, and it fits perfectly in moments as diverse as a friend's encounter after work or a night well spent with your better-half on the couch.
The most important thing, of course, is to taste it. We leave you with two recipes so you can do it whenever you want.
Hot Gin Skin
Ingredients
1 spoonful of honey
50ml Adamus gin
3 dried cloves
½ measure of lemon juice
1 lemon slices
1 cinnamon stick
1) Warm a glass
2) Add a spoonful of honey, as well as your gin, cloves, and juice
3) Top with boiling water and stir until the honey has dissolved
4) Garnish with lemon slice and cinnamon stick...and it’s ready!
Hot Chocolate Gin
Ingredients
25ml Adamus gin
200ml milk
3 teaspoon of hot chocolate powder
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ Tsp grated nutmeg
1) Heat a pan over medium-low heat and add milk, chocolate powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla.
2) Stir and heat to a gentle simmer.
3) Once simmering, add gin and use a stick blender or electric whisk to froth up liquid.
4) Take off heat and pour through a sieve into a heavy-set glass or mug.
Enjoy!