Product Review and Drink Recipies: Genius Gin

Product reviews aren't really something I specialize in. Unless it is a magic bottle of booze showing up in my mail box, I'll usually pass. Well the fine folks at Genius Gin, a small batch distillery out of Austin Texas determined to cure you of hating gin, set me a bottle of both their Traditional and their Navy Strength gins to try.

First, lets ignore what you know of that bottle of Beefeating Pine tree garbage collecting dust in your father's liquor cabinet. Sure, it shares the same basic features as Genius Gin, but comparing the two is like saying both a Maserati an a Ford Pinto car. Technically you would be right but you are missing out on the subtle beauty and power and elegance that elevates Genius to...well, genius levels. As opposed to the traditional punch of lysol.....I mean juniper...you get with classic gins, Genius starts with a sweet earthy spice and moves quietly to a light citrus note. You get hints of lime and vanilla, and has a soft easy finish that make this a perfect gin for those who like their liquor neat. Where Genius really thrives is in cocktail form, and to find you the right drinks my liver volunteered to take one for the team and try every gin drink I know. Here are the ones that benefitted most from the elegant crafting of Genius Gin


The Martini 

Is there any more classic gin drink than the Martini? I mean the Humphrey Bogart classic, not the horse swill Bond James Bond drinks. Smooth, elegant, cold, with a bite that serious gin aficionados love.

2oz Genius Navy Strength Gin
1/2 oz Interrobang Sweet vermouth
1/4 oz Regan's Orange Bitters No. 6
Lime peel for garnish

1. Pre-chill your shaker, glass, gin, and vermouth.
2. When cold, add ice to the shaker and measure in the required amounts of gin and vermouth. Stir. DO NOT SHAKE.  I prefer stirring as shaking can lead to shards of ice making its way into the final drink, "bruising" the drink 
3. Strain into your chilled glass and twist the lemon peel until it leaves a spritz of lemon oil on the surface of the cocktail. 

The Gin Punch

The ultimate summer sipper, this bright and fruity drink takes advantage of the subtle citrus flavor of the gin.

1 Tablespoon Jack Rudy small batch Grenadine  
2 Tablespoons Powdered sugar
2oz Filtered water
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
3oz Genius Gin
3 splashes Luxardo Maraschino 
1 oz mixed berries
2 slices of orange

1. Pre-chill your shaker (Im going to repeat this every time till you believe me)
2. Muddle the berries in a rocks glass
3. Combine all the liquid ingredients and the sugar in your shaker, shake vigorously, strain into your glass
4. Garnish with orange and serve! 

The South Side

For the serious day drinker, the South Side is gin's answer to the Mojio

2oz Genius Navy Strength Gin
Juice of 2 limes
Juice of 1 lemon
1oz simple syrup
10 fresh mint leaves
1oz cold club soda
1 mint sprig

1. Pre-Chill your shaker
2. Add gin, lime, lemon, simple syrup, and mint leaves. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds, strain into an ice-filled Mason Jar
3. Add club soda, garnish with mint sprig

The Cucumber French 75

Imagine your traditional Tom Collins. Now abandon the cheap club soda and replace it with some bubbly. Now you have one of the most refreshing cocktails you can find

2oz Genius Gin
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 oz simple syrup
4oz Cordorniu Spanish Cava
1 slice of cucumber
Lemon peel for garnish

1. In a mixing glass gently muddle the cucumber
2. Add gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice. Stir until chilled
3. Strain into a Tom Collins glass, top with cava
4. Garnish and serve

Those are my favorite recipes for Genius Gin. Try them out, let us know how you like them, and feel free to suggest recipes of your own!