Rosemary Orange Gin Cocktail
We just experienced two straight days of snow here in Calgary, and while it makes driving a little tricky, it sure is pretty. This weekend we just huddled inside, and curled up by the fire with a cocktail to fit the season.
Nothing says Christmas like a good cocktail, but I find pop and other sugary mixes a little too sweet, so I love to make my own. To make this cocktail, I start by making rosemary infused syrup, using dried rosemary and raw local honey. You can make your syrup ahead of time and store in the fridge so its ready to use whenever you’re craving a festive cocktail.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a woody herb that is actually a member of the mint family. It is fairly easy to grow yourself in the spring and summer months and can be brought inside for fresh rosemary over the winter. It has long been known as a tonic, with compounds helpful in supporting healthy circulation. It’s pine like taste makes it a great pairing with the earthy flavour of gin.
The general rule for making syrups is usually 1 part concentrated tea by volume and 3 parts honey by volume. This will ensure that your syrup will preserve in the fridge, usually up to a year. However, for this recipe, I intend to use the syrup up pretty quickly, and wanted a more liquid consistency for mixing well into the drinks. So, here I use a 1:1 ratio concentrated tea to honey.
Rosemary Syrup
1/2 cup boiling water
1 tbsp dried rosemary
1/2 cup raw local honey (I used honey from Two Pines Farms from our local farmers market)
To make, add the dried rosemary to a tea sack and steep in the boiling water for 20 minutes. Once your concentrated tea is steeped, gently heat your honey in a double boiler, or something you’ve rigged up as a double boiler. Slowly mix your tea into the heated honey until combined, but be careful not to bring the honey to a boil. Pour your syrup into a jar, label and pop into the fridge.
Now you’ve got delicious, earthy syrup to add into your cocktail, oatmeal, or even drizzled over yogurt.
Rosemary Orange Gin Cocktail
2 oz gin
2 oranges
2 tbsp rosemary syrup
Soda water to taste
This recipe makes two, so I start with two cocktail glasses filled with ice. Squeeze juices from each orange into the cocktail glasses, plus a little orange zest. Add a tbsp of your rosemary syrup to each glass, stir, add the gin and as much soda as you’d prefer depending on your tastes. If you like a sweeter drink, you could use tonic water instead of soda for a little extra sweetness.
Top the drink with an orange slice and a fresh rosemary sprig and enjoy!
Happy Holidays from our house to yours!