We all know Badminton Horse Trials is just as much about the socialising as it is about the competition, so what could be better than a Badminton themed cocktail to celebrate a week of 4**** Eventing?
We've taken inspiration from some of our favourite cocktails - Vesper Martini, Millionaire's Martini and the Pornstar Martini to bring you....The Huntsman's Ruin.
How to shake?
40ml Sipsmith London Dry Gin 40ml Sipsmith Sipping Vodka Champagne of your choice
Pour the Gin & Vodka over ice and shake - because after all, all good cocktails are shaken and not stirred! Pour into a deep Martini glass and top with the Champagne, what could be more simple?
Serve with a slice of Passion fruit or Raspberry - your choice.
Not really something to keep in a hip flask, but certainly something to sip whilst sitting around Huntsman's Close and most certainly a drink to take the edge off the nerves.
Gin O'Clock Kate Measor
James Bond popularised gin in the 20th century, with his very own Vesper Martini becoming a classic gin based cocktail, popular with the masses (a delicious mixture of gin, vodka and Kina Lilliet). However, for sometime, many saw the juniper based drink as one reserved for the older generation. In recent years gin has regained popularity with specialist bars popping up across the country, however the spirits popularity is long noted in history. Gin first came to note for its medicinal benefits during the 13th Century. Mixed with lime cordial, it was thought to stop scurvy, and angostura settled the stomach at sea, whilst mixing gin with Tonic water, its key ingredient being quinine, was used as an anti-malarial - all great excuses to sit down with a G&T (even when not at sea!).
So with many good reasons to pour yourself an ice cold gin, where do you start with chosing your poison? The Bit UK have rounded up some of our favourite gins on the market right now...let us know what your favourites are - we are always keen to try!
Bombay Sapphire Bombay Saphire, in its iconic blue bottle, is the obvious choice of many, and likely what you will be served when ordering a G&T in a bar. Triple distilled with a number of natural ingredients such as grains of paradise, black licorice, and fire roasted almonds, the lemony crisp taste adds layers of enjoyment for your tastebuds. Served classic style with a slice of lemon, this is gin at its simple finest.
Two Birds Spirits London Dry Gin A classic London Dry Gin full of juniper flavour and distilled with 4 other botanics, finished with natural spring water from deep beneath the Charnwood hills in Leicestershire. A power Gin that retains a delicate finish on the pallet. Our recommendation is to serve it as 1 shot Gin, mixed with 4 shots of cloudy apple juice and 1 shot Elderflower over ice, a wonderful summer cocktail
Botanivore Botanivore prides itself on its botanical herbaceous freshness, with 19 different botanicals it is designed to make you think of a meadow in bloom. As for what is in it...well...! Angelica root, bay laurel, bergamot peel, black peppercorn, caraway, cardamom, cilantro, cinnamon, citra hops, coriander, dill seed, fennel seed, ginger, juniper berries, lemon peel, lime peel, orris root, Seville orange peel and star anise! Phew! This is a gin that is just begging to be drunk al fresco on a beautiful summers day.
Tanqueray Tanqueray no. 10 - this The Bit UK writers favourite, and as a result, simply couldn't be left off this list. With its fine silky texture, with three main botanicals (juniper, coriander and angelica), there is a delicate smooth gin, achieved through its quadruple distillation process. Tanqueray offers a slight sweetness, which, when served with a wedge of lime, makes for a delicious, refreshing, gin and tonic.
New Amsterdam Straight New Amsterdam is not your standard gin - perfect for those new to gin, it is designed to be smooth, creamy and citrusy - with no, sometimes intimidating, pine aromas. The flavour is mostly orange and lemon, with the usual juniper flavours downplayed. If you haven't previously got on board with the gin trend, this one is a must try.
Williams Chase This gin has undertaken some serious effort before it reaches you in its final form, distilled over 100 times and taking over two years from orchard to bottle, you can't help but appreciate this effort when tasting its apple, juniper and elderflower flavours. Served with a slice of apple, at 48% proof, enjoy but handle with care!
Gilpin's Gin Westmorland Extra Dry Gin No gin list would be complete without a mention of last years winner of the 'Worlds Best Gin' title. Gilpins extra dry gin is a modern classic, five-times distilled in small batches and infusing juniper, sage, citrus peels, corianda and angelica, Gilpins Gin has a sophisticated extra-dry taste, perfect served classic, ice cold, with a premium tonic.
And finally, our choice for tonic? Fever-tree Indian tonic, complimenting whichever gin you chose with its fresh clean flavours.
