Mind on my money? Money on my mind? Nah, not for us. But we’ll take the gin and juice! Here’s a holiday treat for your party guests, or just something to sip on while lounging at home. This concoction requires minimal work, just fresh ingredients and a nice presentation will go a long way.
You’ve heard the song. Gin goes great with juice. We chose to combine it with apple and lemon, a tried and true mixture of acidity and sweetness. Ever squeezed a little lemon on apple slices? Or squeezed a wedge into apple juice? If so, you know it’s a delectable combo. And we’re adding gin, fresh ginger, and fizz to really knock it out of the park.
Let’s talk about gin for a hot minute. Technically speaking, gin is flavored vodka. It’s distilled with natural herbs and spices that give it that unique taste. This herb and spice blend includes coriander, cinnamon, and citrus peel. Also, gin is supposed to be mixed, not drunk on its own. That’s because you won’t get all its notes without mixing it with something else.
Hence, we wanted to find a really cool, sweet and tangy mixture that would pair fantastically with this old spirit. We knew we wanted apple and a bit of lemon, but we needed something more, something spicy.
Ginger! Fresh ginger is almost never a bad idea when it comes to cocktails. Not only does this root have insanely beneficial health properties, but just a little bit adds a snappy kick to whatever you’re making. Buying the fresh root is always the way to go. Powdered ginger in the spice aisle does not pack the same flavorful punch, and it lacks the nutritional benefits of the raw, unprocessed root.
So go to the store and pick up a little ginger root. You won’t need much, even if you’re making a ton of cocktails. You’ll also need a bit of apple juice (red apple) and lemon juice. We prefer to juice both of these fresh, squeezing the lemon and using a small juicer at home for the apple. If you don’t have a juicer, get your hands on some high-quality, organic apple juice. It will make a big difference in the flavor.
And finally, get a good bottle of gin, cane sugar, and some of our Mountain Valley Sparkling Water. We want a bit of fizz to make it airy, light and fun.
Mince the ginger root and muddle together with sugar and lemon juice in the bottom of a glass. Pour mixture into your cocktail shaker along with the gin, apple juice, and ice. Shake well for around 10 seconds. Now pour into a Collins glass or a mason jar (or whatever you’re using). Top with a splash of sparkling water. Finally, garnish with a thin slice of red apple and a lemon wedge.
Ingredients (makes 1 serving)
- 1.5 ounces of gin
- 1 ounce of lemon juice
- 2-3 ounces fresh apple juice (red apple variety)
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon cane sugar
- 1-2 splashes Mountain Valley Spring Water
- Ice
- Lemon wedge and a thin slice of apple for garnish
Instructions
1. Place minced ginger, sugar, and lemon juice in the bottom of a glass. Muddle together until well-mixed.
2. Pour mixture into a shaker, adding gin, apple juice, and ice. Shake well.
3. Pour into glass and top with a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with lemon wedge and apple slice.
