Enter the world of the finest barrel aged gin cocktails, crafted to delight with their deep flavors. These aged gin mixes blend classic mixology with the unique taste of time. They offer an unmatched experience for those with a refined taste.
The Conniption Barrel Aged Gin Series No. 1 2020 Release shines, spending 10 months in High West Distillery bourbon barrels. This amazing gin, with the award-winning CONNIPTION Navy Strength Gin, stands at 57% ALC/VOL and costs $39.95 for a 750mL bottle. It marks the height of aged gin mixology.
Durham Distillery has racked up over 50 awards since starting in 2015. Their barrel aged gins combine expert mixology with the love of their craft. They draw in fans and experts eager to explore the rich, distinct flavors they offer.
Key Takeaways
- Conniption Barrel Aged Gin Series No. 1 2020 Release is aged for 10 months in bourbon barrels from High West Distillery.
- CONNIPTION Navy Strength Gin was recognized as the Best American Navy Strength Gin in 2020 & 2019.
- Durham Distillery has earned over 50 awards for its CONNIPTION gins since 2015.
- Durham Distillery’s accomplishments include #1 Craft Gin Distillery in the U.S. by USA TODAY’s “10 Best” in 2018.
- The distillery’s gins have a strong local following after their North Carolina exclusive launch.
A Majestic Tribute: Highclere Castle Gin’s Centennial Cocktail
To mark the 100th year since King Tut’s tomb was found by the 5th Earl of Carnarvon at Highclere Castle, a unique cocktail is now available. Highclere Castle Gin is used to create it. This gin mixes many flavors thanks to a special barrel aging process.
Story Behind the Cocktail
The special cocktail celebrates Highclere Castle’s long history and important moments. It combines gin aged in Armagnac casks, Scotch whiskey barrels, and new American oak barrels. This mix took over two years to get just right. Raj Bhakta’s Armagnac casks, aged for over 50 years, made the gin even richer and more complex.
The final drink, with its golden color, looks like a sunset over the Mediterranean. This shows the great care that was put into making it.
Ingredients and Preparation
This cocktail’s recipe brings together a mix of different, unique flavors. Highclere Castle Gin has touches of toasted citrus, vanilla, and smoky, salty notes. Getting these flavors right needs skill.
Only a small amount of this barrel-aged gin was made, about 2,000 cases. This makes it very special and shows the great work put into making it. It’s a one-of-a-kind drink that won’t be made again.
The Martinez with a Barrel Aged Twist
The Martinez with a Barrel Aged Twist is a twist on the classic Manhattan. It changes whiskey to gin, giving the drink a refined taste. It’s perfect for those who love a good gin cocktail with an aged twist. It recommends using Ransom Old Tom as the gin of choice.
Ingredients and Preparation
Here’s what you need for a Martinez cocktail:
- 2 ounces of Old Tom gin
- 1 ounce of sweet vermouth
- 1/4 ounce of Luxardo maraschino liqueur
- 3 dashes of orange bitters
- 3 dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters
Mix all the ingredients in a glass with ice. Stir it well, then pour it into a chilled glass. This cocktail carries 206 calories per serving.
How to Serve
Garnish your Martinez with a cherry and an orange twist. This makes it look elegant and brings out the flavors. It’s balanced not being too sweet, tart, bitter, light, or dark.
Old Tom gin from England was normally clear and light. But the American version got its dark color and deep flavor from barrel aging during shipping. This makes it a great choice for anyone looking to enjoy a homemade barrel aged gin. You can learn more about this cocktail from a comprehensive guide.
Exploring Fall Flavors: The Autumn Apple
Try The Autumn Apple cocktail for a taste of fall. It mixes apple cider, cinnamon, lemon, and nutmeg with barrel aged gin. This blend gives you a warm, festive drink for autumn. It’s not just another apple cider drink. It uses barrel aged gin mixology to add a touch of class. This makes it stand out among delicious gin cocktails for aging.
Ingredients and Preparation
To make The Autumn Apple, start with a special cinnamon simple syrup. It brings a deep, warm taste to the cocktail. Get these ingredients together:
- 1.5 oz barrel aged gin
- 2 oz apple cider
- 0.5 oz lemon juice
- 0.5 oz cinnamon simple syrup
- A pinch of nutmeg
To create the syrup, boil together sugar, water, and some cinnamon sticks. Let it simmer for 10 minutes. Then, strain it and cool it down.
Next, in a cocktail shaker, mix the gin, apple cider, lemon juice, and syrup. Shake it hard with ice until cold.
Serving Tips
Strain the mix into a coupe glass when you’re done. Sprinkle some nutmeg on top for a boost of scent and taste. For style, use an apple slice or cinnamon stick as a garnish.
Follow these steps to enjoy The Autumn Apple. It’s a drink that captures the fall with its spices and fruitiness. This makes it a wonderful choice for cool autumn nights, thanks to its barrel aged gin mixology. It truly stands out among the delicious gin cocktails for aging.
The Timeless Cranberry Gimlet
The Cranberry Gimlet is a twist on the classic. It mixes sweet and tart flavors, combining cranberry syrup with aged gin. This blend pairs the tang of cranberry and lime with the smoothness of aged gin.
Creating the Cranberry Simple Syrup
Start the cranberry simple syrup by cooking cranberries with sugar and water. Simmer until the berries pop and the mix thickens. Strain it to get a bright, tangy syrup.
This syrup holds the fresh flavor of cranberries. It’s the ideal start for your gimlet.
Ingredients and Preparation
For the Cranberry Gimlet, gather these ingredients:
- 2 oz barrel aged gin
- 1 oz cranberry simple syrup
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
Here’s the recipe:
- Put the gin, syrup, and lime juice in a shaker with ice.
- Shake until it’s cold.
- Strain into a chilled glass.
- Top with a cranberry or lime for looks.
This drink is a top pick for gin lovers. Its special taste is great for parties or quiet nights. Made with care, the barrel aged gin adds something extra to a regular gimlet.
Rabarbaro Negroni: A Classic with a Twist
The Rabarbaro Negroni puts a new twist on the classic Negroni. It adds a bitter Amaro and a bit of cranberry simple syrup for a special taste. This mix shows how old and new can come together in cocktail making.
Ingredients and Preparation
The Rabarbaro Negroni starts by picking the right ingredients.
- 0.75 oz Highside Gin
- 0.75 oz Highside Amaro Mele
- 0.25 oz Cranberry Simple Syrup
Put them in a glass with ice and mix. Stir until cold, blending the tastes perfectly. This shows off the skill in making barrel aged gin cocktails.
Serving Suggestions
Pour the drink into a glass with big ice. Add a thick orange peel on top for smell and looks. This way of serving not only looks good but also brings out the Rabarbaro Negroni’s special flavors.
Refreshing Spring: Rose-Pomegranate Collins
The Rose-Pomegranate Collins is like spring in a glass, mixing floral and fruit flavors with barrel aged gin. It’s perfect for sunny days. Hints of ginger and rosemary make it even more refreshing.
The drink is special because a beloved blossom bloomed during the Covid pandemic. People paid more attention to the joy of spring, likened to seeing big bumblebees among the cherry blossoms. These moments, often captured in photos, showed us the beauty of nature.
This cocktail’s recipe can change based on what you like. Some people choose kirschwasser instead of maraschino liqueur for a unique taste in their gin drinks. Others pick rose cordial for its top flavor, which was well-loved at the “Tales of the Cocktail” festival.
Making this cocktail takes careful measuring to keep the flavors just right. The Bumblebee’s Bliss recipe was fine-tuned to 1.5 oz. of kirschwasser, 0.75 oz. of lemon juice, 0.75 oz. of rose cordial, and a dash of orange bitters. This makes sure the drink feels like a taste of spring in every sip.
To make a Rose-Pomegranate Collins, you’ll need Gin, Apricot Liqueur, Orange Juice, and Lemon Juice. Mix these by shaking with ice, then pour into a coupe glass. Taking a photo with a favorite tree in the background makes the drink even more special.
Blueberry-Thyme Fizz: Summer in a Glass
The Blueberry-Thyme Fizz mixes summer into each sip. It features 1.25 oz of Highside Gin, 0.5 oz of Blueberry-Thyme Shrub, and 0.25 oz of Lemon Juice. This creates a sweet, tangy taste that’s hard to resist. The use of homemade barrel aged gin brings out richer flavors, adding depth.
This cocktail is perfect for a sunny day or a calm evening. It’s a top choice for summer gin cocktails. The thyme gives it a lovely smell, making it more enjoyable to drink. The mix of sweet blueberries and tart lemon makes it a cool, exciting drink.
To make the Blueberry-Thyme Fizz, you need simple ingredients that make it feel like summer. It’s served cold, with a thyme sprig for extra aroma. If you use homemade barrel aged gin, its taste gets even better. The gin’s aged flavors mix perfectly with the fruity and herbal ingredients.
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
Highside Gin | 1.25 oz |
Blueberry-Thyme Shrub | 0.5 oz |
Lemon Juice | 0.25 oz |
Thyme Sprig (for garnish) | 1 |
The Blueberry-Thyme Fizz shines in the mixology world thanks to its creativity. It’s a dream for those into unique summer cocktails. Its use of homemade barrel aged gin shows how tradition and new ideas can mix in cocktails.
Bees Knees: A Classic Summertime Sipper
The Bees Knees is a classic cocktail that brings out the best in gin. It’s well-loved for its fresh feel, which is great for summer. This cocktail mixes the sharp taste of lemon with the comforting sweetness of honey. Plus, it’s all rounded off with the rich flavor of barrel aged gin.
Ingredients and Preparation
To make this special gin drink, you’ll need a few things:
- 2 oz barrel aged gin
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz honey simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Here’s how you put it together:
- First, mix the gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup in a shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for a good mix.
- Then, pour it into a chilled glass, straining out the ice.
- Finally, add the lemon twist on top for a cool finish.
Perfecting the Honey Simple Syrup
Making the honey syrup right is key to the Bees Knees cocktail’s taste. Here’s a quick guide:
- Put equal parts honey and water in a saucepan.
- Warm it up, stirring until the honey melts into the water.
- Let it cool before you mix it into your drinks.
The Bees Knees blends the unique flavors of gin with the sweet touch of honey. It’s truly a must-have in the summer. This drink shows how you can take the classic gin and create something both new and enjoyable. It’s a mix of traditional and inventive, offering a taste that’s both refreshing and elegant.
Watermelon Gin Punch for BBQ Parties
The Watermelon Gin Punch is perfect for BBQ gatherings. It mixes juicy watermelon with the great smell of gin. Lime and bitters add a refreshing kick. It’s a top pick for summer parties. So, it’s a great choice for your get-togethers.
Ingredients and Preparation
Making this punch is easy and worth it. Here’s what you need and how to do it:
- 1 cup of freshly squeezed watermelon juice
- 2 oz of gin (preferably Breckenridge Gin)
- 1 oz of freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 oz of simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 2-3 dashes of aromatic bitters
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Start by muddling mint leaves in a shaker. Then, add gin, watermelon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and bitters. Fill with ice and shake hard. Pour everything, ice included, into glasses.
Serving Tips
How you present the punch is crucial. Here’s the best way to do it:
- Serve in chilled rocks glasses for a cool taste.
- Garnish with fresh mint and slice of watermelon on the rim.
- For sharing, use a large punch bowl with an ice ring. Add mint leaves and watermelon.
- Pick BBQ foods like shrimp skewers, short ribs, or quesadillas. They go perfectly with this drink.
Make your BBQ stand out with this Watermelon Gin Punch. It blends the best gin cocktail ideas with the taste of summer. It’s a tasty, cool drink for your guests to enjoy.
Highside Hanky Panky: An Enhanced Classic
The Highside Hanky Panky mixes the old with the new in a fresh way. It uses barrel aged gin to add a rich flavor. This classic gin cocktail with an aged twist feels both fancy and modern.
Story and Ingredients
The Hanky Panky was born in the early 1900s and has been loved ever since. Today, it’s made with more fernet, which makes it bold and bitter. This new version, paired with aged gin, is a perfect mix of old and new.
- 1.5 oz Highside Barrel Aged Gin
- 1.5 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 0.5 oz Fernet Branca
- Orange peel for garnish
Preparation and Serving
To make the Highside Hanky Panky, first, collect the ingredients. Then, follow these simple steps:
- Put the barrel aged gin, sweet vermouth, and fernet in a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir until cold and well mixed.
- Strain into a cold martini glass.
- Add an orange peel for a twist of freshness.
The careful choice of ingredients and preparation makes every sip special. It’s more than just a drink; it’s a nod to classics and the future of cocktails. The Northwest’s love for amari shines in this cocktail, with over 40 types changing the drink game.
Distilleries like Highside and Brovo add unique flavors to the Highside Hanky Panky. From apples to cinnamon, these ingredients make it a masterpiece. It shows how creative cocktail making can be.
Best Barrel Aged #Gin Cocktail Recipes
Exploring the world of best barrel aged gin cocktail recipes is thrilling. It shows how the process of aging can make gin’s taste more complex. These cocktails add deep, rich flavors to your drink choices.
- Highclere Castle Gin’s Centennial Cocktail: A royal tribute with nuances of citrus brulee and vanilla.
- The Martinez with a Barrel Aged Twist: A refined classic featuring hints of maraschino and bitters.
- The Autumn Apple: Embrace the fall season with apple cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- The Cranberry Gimlet: A sweet-tart blend using cranberry simple syrup for a fresh twist.
- Rabarbaro Negroni: An innovative take with bitter Amaro and cranberry syrup.
- Rose-Pomegranate Collins: Spring in a glass with floral and fruit notes.
- Blueberry-Thyme Fizz: A summer delight featuring sweet blueberries and aromatic thyme.
- Bees Knees: A summertime sipper with citrusy lemon and honey.
- Watermelon Gin Punch: Perfect for BBQs with fresh watermelon and mint.
- Highside Hanky Panky: Enhanced classic with bold and bitter fernet proportions.
These best barrel aged gin cocktail recipes highlight the unique benefits of barrel aging. From experts to beginners, these recipes offer great ideas for flavored drinks. There’s something for everyone’s taste in aged gin cocktails.
Cocktail Name | Main Ingredients | Unique Feature |
---|---|---|
Highclere Castle Gin’s Centennial Cocktail | Gin, Citrus Brulee, Vanilla | Historical tribute with rich flavors |
The Martinez with a Barrel Aged Twist | Gin, Maraschino, Bitters | A refined take on the classic Manhattan |
The Autumn Apple | Apple Cider, Cinnamon, Nutmeg | Warm fall flavors |
The Cranberry Gimlet | Cranberry Simple Syrup, Lime, Gin | Sweet-tart with a cranberry twist |
Rabarbaro Negroni | Amaro, Cranberry Syrup, Gin | Bitter with a touch of cranberry |
Rose-Pomegranate Collins | Rose Syrup, Pomegranate, Gin | Floral and fruity |
Blueberry-Thyme Fizz | Blueberries, Thyme, Soda, Gin | Summer freshness |
Bees Knees | Lemon, Honey Syrup, Gin | Citrusy and sweet |
Watermelon Gin Punch | Watermelon, Mint, Lime | Ideal for BBQs |
Highside Hanky Panky | Fernet, Gin, Citrus Twist | Bold bitterness balanced with sweet |
Conclusion
Barrel-aged gin is making its mark in the mixology world. It adds unique flavors to classic cocktails. For instance, the Bourbon-Barreled Big Gin was named the Best Contemporary Gin at the 2014 IWSC. It ages for three years, picking up light fruit, vanilla, and wood spice from the casks.
The Peat Barreled Big Gin, aged in peated whiskey barrels, gets a special flavor. It has a dry, smoked wood taste with juniper and Pepperberry hints. At 47% ABV, it makes a top-notch “wonderfully woody Negroni.” This shows how barrel aging can improve a drink.
Ready to make these drinks at home? You’ll need an oak cask, a fine strainer, and precise measuring tools. You can try making a negroni with FEW Spirits Barrel Gin or use Cotswolds Batch 1 Cask-Aged Gin in a cocktail. Both are perfect for connecting you to traditional tastes with a modern twist.
Experiment with barrel-aged gin mixology to enhance your cocktail game. Each drink is a blend of time, skill, and a unique story. Let the experience of enjoying aged gin cocktails be incredibly memorable.