Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Gin the mood for an easy floral treat
IT seems to have become standard practice for all occasions that require a gift – be it birthdays, Christmases or bar mitzvahs – that we get given vouchers for one restaurant or another.
Well, on reflection I don’t think we’ve ever got anything for a bar mitzvah, but I’m open to trying new things. They’re the fail-safe pressie when people haven’t a notion what to get you to say thanks or mark the passing of another year.
I’m easy to get for, as a bottle of wine or a bag of nice coffee will always bring a smile to my face. Other people, not so much, so the old voucher always does the trick. Whenever we get around to spending them, usually in Stove or Deanes at Queen’s, herself has on occasion enjoyed one of the few variations of a gin and elderflower cocktail.
There are, as said, a few versions of this with some even adding a drop of fizz such as Cava or Prosecco instead of soda water.
Such is the love of this floral blend in our house that homemade versions have been served up at the odd soiree over the last few years.
I’m all for trying out cocktails at home after enjoying
one made by the professionals. So long as the ingredients are not too many or too awkward to get a hold of, I’m in. Any mention of syrup reductions
that require pots of boiling liquid needing to be strained, cooled and allowed to infuse and I’m closing the book and making a Negroni.
But for whatever reason, elderflower cordials seem to be remarkably easy to get. With that in mind, I reckon we should all try an Elderflower Collins.
This, obviously, is a variation on the Tom Collins which must be one of the simplest and oldest cocktails there is – made with gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and a splash of soda generally done on a 2-1-1 basis.
The elderflower variation is basically splitting the sugar syrup element in half, so the 1 part sugar is made up of half sugar syrup half elderflower cordial. It gives that sweetness a floral element which works so well with the botannicals that define gin. If you fancy a change from the usual G&T, this is one worth trying.
For a little added snazziness, add a sprig of rosemary. If you give the sprig a little batter beforehand and free up those aromatic oils it really does add to the drink.