Cassia Bark: A Snickerdoodle for your Gin Cocktails

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

When you bite into that Snickerdoodle from the local bakery or sprinkle a little cinnamon on your venti mocha from the coffee shop, did it ever take you to another plane? Did you realize that some days, the days you did sprinkle on that extra touch of cinnamon that you ...

Licorice: For Gin and a Million Other Things

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Most of the botanicals used in flavoring gin are also used in herbal medicines, teas and even cosmetics. Licorice root is used for a variety of products and processes that range from curing a wide variety of ailments to enhancing tobacco. Cough medicine is one of the first everyday products that ...

Let’s Face It, Gin Contains Juniper

Friday, April 9th, 2010

In the recent article Gin Time, Cheers Magazine reports on the increasing popularity of gin, attributing it to a combination of classic cocktails and the rise of New Western gins like Bluecoat, Beefeater 24 and Aviation.  They have it half right. Classic cocktails are the foundation of gin's rise in popularity. Interest in all ...

Juniper, Gin’s Namesake

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

That distinctive smell that permeates the air when a fresh bottle of gin is opened is the signature scent of juniper. Some gins like Junipero are flavored with only juniper and a lot of it, others balance it with as many as 18 or 20 other botanicals and some add ...