GIN CRAFTS A
GIN-BASED RTDS HEAT UP
Ready-to-drink cocktails have been on fire for the past few years , further fueled by consumers staying home during the pandemic . While many RTDs initially embraced Margaritas , as well as classic vodka and rum cocktails , gin drinks are catching up .
Salt Point was one of the earlier entries in 2018 with its canned Gin Highball , a blend of aromatic gin , seltzer , cucumber , lemon and a dash of bitters . Here are a few other gin RTDs that hit the market recently .
Artisanal British brand 6 O ’ clock Gin announced in March 2021 it would start selling its premium ready-to-drink Gin & Tonic cocktails in the U . S . Made with the London Dry gin and all-natural tonic water , 6 O ’ clock Gin London Dry Gin & Tonics are sold in 200-ml . aluminum cans , with an ABV of 7 %.
Zaddy ’ s is a new gin-based , low-alcohol , ready-to-drink , canned cocktail company founded in the San Francisco Bay Area . Zaddy ’ s in March 2021 introduced three new drinks made with premium gin from Sonoma and fresh juice from California farms Corpse Reviver , Gin Sonic and Gin ( ger ) Fizz . The suggested retail price is $ 11.99 for a four-pack and $ 2.99 for a 12-oz . can .
Bombay Sapphire Gin in February launched its first-ever line of canned cocktails : Bombay Sapphire Gin & Tonic and Bombay Sapphire Gin & Tonic Light . The brainchild of Bacardi Limited ’ s Master of Botanicals Ivano Tonutti and Bombay Sapphire Master Distiller Anne Brock , the new offering is available in four-packs of 250-ml . cans .
Lee Spirits Co ., a gin and liquor distiller in Colorado Springs , CO , in 2020 unveiled what it says are the first noncarbonated gin cocktails in North America . Available in four flavors — Lavender gin lemonade , strawberry gin lemonade , fuego ( spicy ) gin lemonade and whiskey lemonade — the 9 % AVB canned cocktails are offered in 4-packs for suggested retail price of $ 12.99 .
Tanqueray released its Crafted Gin Cocktails in a Can this past August . The 6 % ABV cocktails are available in three initial variants : Tanqueray Gin & Tonic , Tanqueray Rangpur Lime Gin & Soda , and Tanqueray Sevilla Orange Gin & Soda . They are available for a suggested retail price of $ 12.99 per 4-pack of 250-ml . cans .
Sear + Sea Bar , the lobby bar at the new JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek in Florida , boasts a portfolio of more than 100 gins displayed on its floorto-ceiling back bar .
liqueur , lemon juice , egg white and elderflower tonic . Priced at $ 14 , “ it ’ s taking a Gin and Tonic to the next level and bringing texture and depth to the cocktail ,” Lebedevitch explains .
Her favorite is Forget Me Not ’ s Alpine cocktail , which uses Hendrick ’ s gin , manzanilla sherry , dry vermouth and amaro nonino , with a touch of bitters and sage . “ It ’ s a balance of a low-ABV meets the pleasure of a Martini , with just a hint of savory ,” Lebedevitch says .
Guests at Sear + Sea Bar still order some of the classic gin drinks , such as the French 75 , Ramos Fizz and Gimlet . The bar has developed several gin-based craft cocktails , including the Rosemary Beret ($ 17 ), made with Hendrick ’ s gin , torched rosemary , raspberry , lemon and aquafaba ; a Key Lime Gimlet ($ 16 ), with St . Augustine gin , Mrs . Ginger ’ s local key lime jam , egg white and lime ; and Livin ’ On A Prairie ($ 16 ), with Prairie organic gin , Earl Grey tea , rosemary and lemon .
DITCHING THE GIN STIGMA Many consumers seem to have a bias against gin — often due to experimenting with more traditional or lower-end gins in their younger days . What ’ s the best way to help guests get over that ?
“ I think a lot of people are hesitant from bad experiences when asked if they would like a gin ,” Greene says . “ I ’ ve found that if you explain the nuances of the products and what botanicals are present , you can persuade them into trying it again .”
The Sear + Sea restaurant has even incorporated gin into some food items . The peppercorns for grating table
48 • Summer 2021 www . cheersonline . com