Buzz
Martinis are timeless, but your mind is attuned to the seasons, and right now, it’s probably calling for holiday-inspired indulgences and drinks. During the colder months, that often means hot toddies, dark spirits, a touch of spice, egg nog, or candy cane accents.
For gin lovers, this time of year can be tricky. The charm of gin lies in its subtle, botanically-infused flavors, which can easily be overwhelmed by spices, warmth, and sweet additions. Fortunately, there are ways for gin aficionados to enjoy their drink without losing that festive touch.
Go all-in on cranberries.
Cranberries embody the holiday spirit. Their bright crimson color and bauble-like shape make them perfect for adorning a Christmas tree. To make the most of their festive look, freeze them, thread a few onto a toothpick, and drop them into your martini glass. For a touch of flavor, pickle them for a wintry dirty martini or ferment them in honey and use the ruby-red liquid for a warming toddy (more on gin toddies coming up).
Cranberry sauce also makes a great base for a simple spritz (1 1/2 ounces gin, 1 tablespoon cranberry sauce, 3 ounces sparkling wine), or you can mix gin with sparkling cranberry juice (like Martinelli’s) to create a refreshing cocktail.
Embrace citrus season
I used to find it strange that such a bright, tangy fruit would be in season during winter, but it’s exactly when we need citrus (and its vitamin C) the most. Dive into tangerines, tangelos, satsumas, pink lemons, and various hybrids by crafting a French 75. Swap or mix in any of these seasonal fruits in place of lemon juice, and finish with a garnish of Beth’s orangette if you’re not keen on wasting citrus peels.
Prepare a (gentle, respectful) toddy
Gin toddies can be a bit tricky. A touch of heat helps release the gin’s botanicals, allowing you to savor their aroma, but it may overpower delicate floral notes. To keep the gin's flavor intact, choose one with strong juniper and/or a bit of spruce (Tanqueray is always a solid option), and avoid overly floral varieties that can become tannic when heated. Crafting a gin toddy is simple. We’ve covered it before, but here’s a quick recap:
Mix 1 1/2-2 ounces of quality dry gin with 3/4 ounce lemon juice (Meyer lemons are a great choice if available), 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 2 ounces of hot water or your preferred tea.
Bring some darkness to your martini
Smoke and spice may not shout ‘Christmas,’ but they certainly evoke a wintry feel, which works for most people. To add depth to your martini, you can smoke the glass with a small piece of wood, cinnamon bark, or a star anise pod; or rinse the glass with smoky scotch (both options are fantastic).
Amaro and bitters offer another way to add cold-weather richness. Stick with tradition by adding a couple of dashes of Angostura or orange bitters to your martini (or another favorite gin cocktail), or try a more seasonal bitter like pecan or cinnamon. You can also replace dry vermouth with something darker and sweeter, or use an amaro with rich baking spices.
You can always just go with a classic martini; after all, gin already has that evergreen, Christmas tree flavor to it.
