I've started buying Waterloo Gin, which is made in the Hill Country. It has TX lavender, RGV Grapefruit, and pecan added to it. It's easily one of the most interesting gins that I've ever tried.

As for cocktails,

-Tom Collins
-Gin and Tonic
-Gimlet (3 parts gin, 1 part Rose's, wedge of lime)
-Gin and Grapefruit soda (I use Jarritos), with a wedge of lime
-Gin and grapefruit juice with a splash of club soda

the Brits had these shipped out to Iraq:

If you like gin and happen to come across Oxley, don't pass it up. Go martini, slightly dirty and your world will be changed. My neighbor grabbed a couple bottles while in England and made us a few rounds the other night. Seriously, an incredible, tasty beverage.

quote:

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for the record, Mr. Bond prefers his martinis shaken because it bruises the gin.

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Except for the fact that Bond, James Bond, orders his with Vodka.

Shaking a drink adds air to it. I came from the school that taught that shaking is reserved for drinks with fruit in them as it breaks up the sugar molecules in the fruit juice.

A Martini is intended to be more syrup like than airy.

actually he has both

3 parts gin
1 part vodka
1/2 part Kina Lillet

Gin

+1 for Hugtrees82's suggestion on Waterloo Gin. Very good in Martinis and with Grapefruit Jarritos and lime.

Another good summer gin drink is the Himalayan Sunrise, which was created by Julia Child's husband.

1.5-2 oz. Gin
.5 tsp. dry Vermouth
1 tsp Maraschino Cherry juice.

Shake together and garnish with a Maraschino cherry in a Martini glass.

I have never bought vermouth before....any suggestions on brand?

I am a gin fan but have always avoided martinis because I don't really like olives. Is the olive taste very strong? I need to branch out from G&T but have always been scared off by the olives in martinis.

Then don't get olives in your martini. Simple.

Get it with a twist of lemon instead.

if the gin is Hendrick's, do this:
in shaker, combine
2 parts Hendrick's
1 part St. Germain
ice
shake, strain into martini or highball.
Top with club soda, or perrier equivalent.
Add a lemon twist.

nice for the summer or warm texas fall days.

Has anybody tried Plymouth Gin? I've heard it has a different flavor than London Dry, but they only sell one size bottle at Spec's and I don't know if I want to drop $30 on a gin I might not like.

Ramos Gin Fizz

not sure if it's girly but if a man drinks this for breakfast does it negate girlyness? internet has the recipe.