The weather has been warming up and my taste buds have been searching for something crisp and refreshing.  Gin has been the only spirit on my mind recently.  While visiting the Asbury Distilling Company a few weekends ago, I purchased a bottle of their fantastic gin.  Now all I can think about is creating refreshing cocktails with citrus, honey, and champagne…anything that is perfect to sip on while enjoying a barbecue in the sun.  Here are some of my favorite gin cocktails to enjoy this spring!

French 75

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces gin
• ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
• ¾ ounce simple syrup
• 2 ounces Champagne
• Long spiral lemon twist

Directions:

In a shaker with ice, combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.  Shake well and strain into a large flute.  Top with Champagne and a twist of lemon.

Gin Campari Sour

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz. gin
• 3⁄4 oz. Campari
• 3⁄4 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1⁄2 oz. simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• 1 dash orange bitters
• 1 small orange wedge, to garnish

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker without ice, combine the gin, Campari, lemon juice, simple syrup, bitters, egg white, and shake until combined.  Then, add ice and shake again for about thirty seconds.  Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with an orange slice.

The Bee’s Knees

For the honey syrup:

• 1 cup honey
• 1⁄3 cup hot water

For the cocktail:

• 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 3⁄4 oz. honey syrup
• 2 oz. gin, preferably Beefeater

Instructions

Make the honey syrup: In a container or glass combine the honey and hot water. Stir until completely mixed. You can store this in the refrigerator for up to five days. 

Then, in a shaker combine fresh lemon juice, honey syrup, gin, and ice.  Shake and then strain into a couple glass to enjoy.

I hope you enjoy these fresh gin cocktails!

Cheers to the weekend,

Danyelle