Famously enjoyed on long summer evenings, gin has a warm-weather reputation. Juno Gin’s Dave James gives Cityscape some ideas for enjoying a gin in the cooler months.
It’s all about choosing the right gin, and serving it up in the right style, he says. “Traditionally it's served as gin and tonic, but we’re trying to say ‘move away from that and see the repertoire you’ve got available to you’.”
Juno’s Autumn 2021 Seasonal Gin is going to feature cranberries and a hint of Vietnamese mint. It isn’t a full-blown winter comforter, but it’ll have a warmer hue to it than a typical summer gin. “You can mix it with a little cranberry juice for a rich flavour that really suits the autumn mood,” Dave says.
The next gin on the release list will be a nutty number for winter. “There’s an opportunity to use it as a toast or a digestif.” When it comes to looking beyond the G&T for an autumnal beverage, Dave recommends starting with a brown drink instead of a clear one. “You can still get our Autumn 2020 Seasonal Gin – it’s flavoured with orange and horopito and we recommend having it with a Fever-Tree Spiced Orange Ginger Ale.”
Next step on your cool-weather gin journey should be a hot toddy, he says. “It takes a little time to make the perfect autumnal syrup, but it’s absolutely worth it for a gin hot toddy with a bit of cinnamon spice and ginger, a touch of citrus zest, and a sweet warmth to it.”