It’s bittersweet that, just a few weeks back, Old Dominick Master Distiller Alex Castle and I were toasting together to the newest batch of the distillery’s craft Gin and an accompanying new spring season. Now, as I reflect on this recipe, I take that oh-so refreshing first sip of Spring in my own home, where the beautifully-designed bottle stands proudly centered on our bar cart.
We may not be able to traverse down to the tasting room for a tour or pour, but you bet we can share a sip—virtually—through a springtime Old Dominick happy hour at home.
Today’s recipe is a tried-and-true favorite: the classic gin & tonic. As I shared on my Instagram demo with Alex Castle, this cocktail is both my and Alex’s (my husband) go-to order out or at home. There’s something so simple yet sophisticated about the combination and balance of botanicals, especially with an extra squeeze of lime.
Old Dominick Gin is crafted from a blend of 8 botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica root, licorice root, grapefruit peel, chamomile, orris root, and ginger root. Juniper dominates the nose, balanced by whispers of citrus that transition to sweet licorice on the palate. The sweet, smooth finish is rounded out by hints of black pepper. Earthy, sweet, and complex, this southern style gin was Castle’s tenth formula and bottled at 95 proof.
In this case, I’m shaking things up with a cucumber theme. Cucumber tonic water from Fever Tree, some cucumber slices, and sprigs of mint make this classic cocktail extra refreshing as temperatures rise. The recipe is a total go-to and takes less than one minute to prepare.
Makes 1 cocktail
1 single cocktail ice cube
1.5 ounces Old Dominick gin
4 ounces Fever Tree cucumber tonic water
2 slices cucumber
1 sprig fresh mint
Quarter of a lime
1. Place ice cube in a cocktail tumbler. Pour Old Dominick gin directly atop ice. Then, pour tonic water. Finish with cucumber, mint, and a squeeze of lime.
