Celebrations for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee are already getting underway. Queen Elizabeth II is now the longest serving monarch of the British crown, with an astonishing 70 years on the throne. Having served through some of the most momentous events in history the Queen has always represented stability and continuity, even in chaotic times.
From the first televised coronation, to the first man on the moon, to the fall of the Berlin wall and the invention of the World Wide Web, there are few people who can claim to have seen all the momentous events that the Queen has. Her long-lasting reign is rightly being celebrated as something entirely unique, and her significance to the history of the United Kingdom is hard to overstate.
We are proud to say that we have something in common with Her Royal Highness; a fondness for gin! The Queen’s love of gin is famous, and we of course remain huge fans of the quintessential English spirit. It combines a unique flavour profile with an unrivalled versatility, serving as the basis for countless classic cocktails.
If you want to emulate Her Majesty’s favourite tipples, we have the perfect recipes to help you to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee below, lending some debonair charm to your Jubilee party -
Gin & Dubonnet
The royal Gin & Dubonnet is normally taken before lunch, very chilled and to be sipped slowly. This is a decadent drink with big and rich flavours, so take one’s time and sip it like you have nowhere in particular to be.
50ml Dubonnet Rouge
25ml Hidden Curiosities Original
Lemon Slice or Peel
Ice Cubes
Pour the Dubonnet and the gin into a cocktail shaker, following it with several cubes of ice. Stir with a bar stirrer or spoon until nice and cold. Get yourself a rocks glass and add two big cubes of ice, along with a slice of lemon, or lemon peel. Strain the drink into the glass and serve, sipping elegantly.
Dry Gin Martini
The very definition of a classic cocktail, and another royal favourite. The details matter here - the right gin, the right vermouth, a chilled glass and a careful garnish. Get it right and it’s utter perfection. We love Belsazar’s Riesling Vermouth, but if this is too expensive or hard to source, any dry vermouth that you like really is fine.
50ml Hidden Curiosities Aranami Strength Gin
25ml Belsazar Riesling Vermouth or Dry White Vermouth
Lemon Twist
Ice, for shaking
First, get your martini glasses and put them in the freezer 20 minutes or so before you make the cocktail. You want them COLD. Add the gin and the vermouth to a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into your cold glass. Peel a section of lemon rind, avoiding the pith, using a sharp knife or vegetable peeler. Twist the rind firmly so some of the essential oils come out into the drink, and rest it gently in the liquid, rubbing around the rim of the glass if you prefer. This most elegant drink should be treated with respect as it’s so strong, but if made correctly it should always seem delicate and balanced, and never powerful.
For a variation, you can try a vermouth rinse; put a drop of the vermouth into the glass, swish it around, then throw it away. This gives you a purer gin flavour, if that’s your preference. You could also garnish with a green cocktail olive for a mouthwatering savoury element, or even add a little olive brine for a dirty martini. The above recipe however is reportedly how the Queen prefers hers, and who are we to argue?
A simple and unfussy gin cocktail is the perfect accompaniment to one’s royal duties, and at 96, it clearly isn’t a barrier to a long life! Mix one of these drinks as the perfect tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, and enjoy the Platinum Jubilee celebrations as you see fit. Our Hidden Curiosities Original and Aranami Strength are a wonderful base for a cocktail, or a simple gin and tonic, giving you a refreshing and distinctive drink however you serve it.
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