Cheers Summer 2021 | Page 49

GIN CRAFTS A

The Rosemary Beret cocktail at Sear + Sea Bar in Orlando , FL , made with Hendrick ' s Gin , torched rosemary , raspberry , lemon and aquafaba .
Glassmaker Riedel has developed a special Gin and Tonic glass with a bulbous bowl that enhances the characteristics of the cocktail .
side are gin soaked and dried before being put into the mills , and the tuna crudo appetizer is infused with gin during preparation .
Lebedevitch believes that the gin stigma is fading , but she also thinks it ’ s about finding a balance , and finding the right type of gin — floral , herbal , juniper-forward , or not . It ’ s also about having the conversation about flavors
LEADING BRANDS OF GIN , 2019-2020P
( Thousands 9-Liter Cases )
YEAR OVER
BRAND
SUPPLIER
2019
2020
CHANGE
Seagram ' s Gin
Pernod Ricard USA
1,567
1,610
2.7 %
Tanqueray
Diageo North America
1,385
1,407
1.6 %
Bombay Sapphire
Bacardi USA
984
1,088
10.6 %
New Amsterdam Gin
E . & J . Gallo Winery
650
640
-1.5%
Gordon ' s Gin
Diageo North America
485
486
0.2 %
Beefeater
Pernod Ricard USA
442
451
2.0 %
Hendrick ' s
William Grant & Sons
452
441
-2.4%
Barton Gin
Sazerac Company
333
335
0.6 %
Fleischmann ' s Gin
Sazerac Company
268
268
0.0 %
Gilbey ' s Gin
Beam Suntory
270
259
-4.1%
Total Top 10 Leading Brands
6,836
6,985
2.2 %
Others
3,022
3,011
-0.4%
Total Gin
9,858
9,996
1.4 %
Source : Beverage Information & Insights Group
and textures that guests like , honestly listening to guests and then gaining their trust in making a balanced cocktail . “ And when all else fails , add fresh cucumber ,” she jokes .
THAT ’ S THE TONIC
“ Our goal at Sear + Sea bar for 2021 is to continue to both educate ourselves and our guests on the gins we offer ,” Greene says . The bar is also working on creating gin flights and developing new recipes for cocktails .
“ We will continue to be on the lookout for some new and interesting items coming into the market , like our recently acquired 6 O ’ clock line of gins that we are experimenting with now ,” says Greene . The 6 O ’ clock gin , from Bristol , England , is available in its flagship London Dry style , Brunel , Damson and Sloe gins .
“ Gin is still perceived to be consumed with tonic primarily ,” Greene says , “ so there are a number of bottled tonic products coming out ; we use the Q line inclusive of their grapefruit tonic .” The newer flavors make a Martini an easier sell , he adds .
The Gin and Tonic is such an iconic cocktail that glassmaker Riedel has developed a special Gin and Tonic glass . Similar to a stemless wine glass , the glass has a bulbous bowl that enhances the characteristics of the cocktail , the company says . The larger bowl allows ample space for garnishes that pair with the juniper and spice notes of certain gins or the floral and fruit-forward notes in others .
Lebedevitch is excited to launch a Gin and Tonic patio in Forget Me Not ’ s outdoor space , with “ big bulbous glasses , bouquets of botanicals , selections of tonics and flights of gin to enhance the Gin and Tonic into the patio sipper it should be ,” she says .
“ I want to give our guests an opportunity to experience gin in a new way , and to make many different styles accessible to them .”
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