Luxebook June 2022

Gin reinvented Indian m xologists recreate their favourite cocktails with a twist of gin BY SCHENELLE DSOUZA Champs Elysees O ne of the reasons for gin’s rise in popularity can be easily attributed to the fact that it is hands down the best drink for cocktails. Bartenders and mixologists have often claimed their love for the drink because of how easy it is to play around with. They are light and refreshing and can be had in a variety of ways which aren’t limited to the classic G&Ts and negronis. For our special gin issue, LuxeBook spoke to bartenders and mixologists in the country. These experts have taken their favourite cocktails and recreated it with gin, creating a light and refreshing drink that can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere. Take a look at these delicious cocktails below! 1. Champs Élysées - Bar Team, KOKO Upon reading the name, it’s easy to think about the popular avenue in Paris, France. However, this citrus-y cocktail is an allusion to Greek mythology that translates to the Elysian fields; the place where righteous souls were believed to go after their death to continue living blessed and happy lives. It’s a refreshing drink with some herbaceous notes which can be enjoyed at any hour of any day. Ingredients: 45ml gin 15ml green chartreuse 7.5ml lemon juice 7.5ml sugar syrup Preparation: Add lemon juice, sugar syrup, green chartreuse and gin in a shaker. Shake well and double strain into a chilled Coupette glass. 2. Curry Leaf Collins - Navjot Singh, Beverage Head at Lair, New Delhi Can you imagine a cocktail made with curry leaves? Curry leaves are a must for a lot of Indian dishes. However, these are most popularly used in South Indian cuisine, which was the main inspiration for the concoction. The cocktail is a clever recreation of the classic summer favourite mojito which uses mint and white rum. These have been replaced by gin and curry leaves, a unique but flavourful tribute to South Indian culture. Ingredients: 15 curry leaves 2 (bar) spoons caster sugar 60ml gin 25ml lime juice 100ml Peer Indian Tonic Water Preparation: Muddle and build up. 3. Death by Truffle - Allan D’souza, Bartender, Someplace Else While it is hard to imagine a gin cocktail with a rich, earthy aroma, it’s not impossible. Truffles are known to have a bitter earthy flavour that is truly exquisite and very rich. In a cocktail, too, it has the exact same effect. Someplace Else’s Allan D’souza decided to whip up what he believes to be the perfect welcome drink for the beloved monsoon season. Truffle oil is infused with gin, along with two rich liquors, Martini Bianco — which has a bitter ginger-cinnamon flavour, and pisco which is best known for its burnt wine aromas. While these may sound extreme, the balance rests in the flavour of truffle oil, giving it the earthy, slightly bitter but rich flavours that complements the rainy weather. Ingredients: 50ml gin 25ml Martini Bianco 25ml pisco 2 dashes of truffle oil A white flower for garnish COCKTAIL H OUR 42| L U X E B O O K | J U N E 2 0 2 2 J U N E 2 0 2 2 | L U X E B O O K |43