Feature image courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons, cyclonebill.
There are many iconic drinks of summer including a fruity sangria, a minty mojito, an elegant glass of rosé wine, or a frosted G&T. With gin making a comeback, it is interesting to rediscover classic favourites and to try some of the artisanal gins that are being made in our own backyard.
The history of gin stems back to 16th-century Holland. Since then, various styles have emerged from crystal clear and bone- dry to honey-coloured and fruity types.While you may go local when buying wine, craft beers, artisan cheese and farmers fresh produce, there is also a local distiller in Ottawa (and several more throughout Ontario) making one-of-a-kind gins to enjoy this summer.
Piger Henricus – a traditional London Dry gin made with botanicals such as juniper berries, coriander, angelica 
Triple Beam Gin is made in Ottawa at North of 7 Distillery using juniper berries sourced from Ferme et ForêtinWakefield, Québec, along with a concoction of botanicals (many that are local). Available only from the distillery at 1733 St Laurent Blvd. $39.95 40% alc/vol. northof7distillery.ca
Once you have your gin of choice, keep the bottle in the freezer for that opportune moment to pour a G&T. Try this recipe:
Celery Gin & Tonic from the creators of Piger Henricus
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 tablespoon sugar or maple syrup 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
2 ounces gin
1 small stick of parsnip
Lemon twist
Muddle celery with sugar and lemon juice in a blender for 1 minute. Add gin. Pour in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until the outside of shaker becomes frosty (about 30 seconds). Strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with parsnip and lemon twist.
If you have ever traveled to England during the summer, you would have noticed that G&Ts have been replaced with a dark- coloured drink called Pimm’s. This is a cocktail made with a gin-based liquor and is the cocktail of choice at Wimbeldon tennis matches. Grab a bottle of the ready- to-mix Pimm’s from the LCBO ($29.95) or try making your own.
DIY Pimm’s
1 part gin
1 part red vermouth
1?2 part Cointreau
Club soda, 7UP or Sprite
Mix the ingredients in a pitcher and refrigerate. When ready to serve, add sliced strawberries, sprigs of mint & cucumber to the pitcher and soda, then pour into ice-filled glasses.
Gin 101
London Dry Gin – typically dry & heavily juniper flavoured without any sugar added, classic to for use in cocktails & martinis, names you will recognize include Gordon’s, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater.
Plymouth Gin – less dry than its London cousin, it is infused with more roots to create an earthier, softer-flavoured gin. Only one brand is available, Plymouth Gin.
Genever or Dutch Gin – a darker-coloured drink made from a base of malt grains. Good for sipping straight up or chilled.
Old Tom Gin – the sweetest of the bunch. Used for making the classic Tom Collins drink. It can be difficult to find, so be on the lookout for Hayman’s brand.
International Gin – the umbrella style for all gins that are made with ingredients other than juniper berries. Hendrick’s is a brand that is growing in popularity.