"Shaken, not stirred." A classic line, for a classic cocktail--the preferred martini of James Bond, the debonair British secret agent immortalized in Ian Flemming's novels.
Purists claim that shaking a martini can "bruise" the gin, a dubious, though amusing, contention. There's no question, however, that gin itself has had a controversial past.
Used today in more crisply refreshing drinks than any other distilled spirit, gin was first created as a medicine by a Dutch chemist some 300 years ago. Its supposed curative powers became irrelevant--people felt better, so in the 17th century, the English took the Dutch potion back to their country and drank it liberally, with or without toasting anyone's health. In fact, they became so enamoured of the spirit that they were soon making it themselves. Once called "Mother's Ruin", and scorned by the upper classes because it was the drink of the oftsodden poor, gin perhaps owes its modern sophisticated cachet to the Martini.
Gins are more than neutral spirits distilled from grain. They are reprocessed and redistilled with a flavorist's collection of assorted herbs and spices, primarily Juniper berries. Gin, like other clear spirits, is basically clean and bracing in flavor, but has fruity and herby overtones as well.
The most common style of gin is London Dry. In 18th century London, most gins were sweetened to disguise their rawness. Pioneering distillers experimented with making unsweetened gin, which was smooth in character, with elegant aromatic flavors, giving rise to the style of gin known as London Dry, now produced around the world.
One of those pioneers, Alexander Gordon, founded his distillery in London in 1769, and set the standards of quality for superior gin. The legendary boar's head that his ancestors had carried on their shields is still prominent today on the brand's label. As well as being the world's sixth-largest spirits brand, Gordon's Gin dominates the international gin market.
Another famous gin pioneer was Charles Tanqueray, who was only twenty years old when he established his London distillery in 1830. Tanqueray perfected the art of producing the purest unsweetened gin, with a dryness that complements the flavour of the juniper and other botanicals used in its manufacture. Tanqueray Gin, exported to more than 100 international markets, is the world's leading super-premium gin, as well as the United States' best-selling imported gin. The distinctive green bottle, based on the design of a 19th century London fire hydrant, is the only one protected by a worldwide patent.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a maraschino cherry.
Shake well with cracked ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake well with cracked ice and strain into highball glass over two ice cubes. Fill with club soda. Garnish with two sprigs fresh mint.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into highball glass over two ice cubes. Fill with club soda.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Sprinkle nutmeg on top.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Sprinkle nutmeg on top.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with cracked ice and pour into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes.
Shake with ice and strain into collins glass over ice. Fill with club soda and stir lightly. Garnish with a slice of lemon.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Shake first four ingredients with ice and strain into cocktail glass, with a dash of grenadine in bottom of glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into highball glass with ice cubes.
Pour into highball glass over ice cubes. Fill with ginger ale or club soda. Add a twist of lemon peel and stir.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a cherry on top.
Fill collins glass with club soda and ice cubes. Stir in lime juice and gin.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Decorate with 2 or 3 crushed strawberries.
Stir with ice cubes and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel and a cherry.
Combine ingredients with ice in mixing glass and stir gently. Strain into chilled cocktail glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Stir with ices and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with slice of orange.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with slice of orange.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a cherry.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Pour into highball glass over ice cubes and fill with ginger ale. Stir
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a cherry or olive.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with an olive.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a sprig of mint.
Shake gin and sugar with ice and strain into champagne flute over ice cubes. Fill with champagne.
Shake with ice and strain into highball glass over two ice cubes. Fill with club soda and stir.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass, leaving enough room on top to float port.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into highball glass over two ice cubes. Fill with champagne and stir.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir vermouth and gin over ice cubes in mixing glass. Strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a twist of lemon peel or olive, if desired.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a slice of orange.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Pour into highball glass over ice cubes and fill with ginger ale or club soda. Add a twist of lemon peel, if desired, and stir.
Prepare rim of glass by rubbing with lemon and dipping in sugar. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Stir gin and sherry over ice cubes in mixing glass. Strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a twist of lemon peel.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir first four ingredients in collins glass. Fill glass with ice and add gin. Fill with club soda or ginger ale and stir again.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into old-fashioned glass and serve over ice cubes.
Pour into highball glass over ice cubes. Fill with ginger ale. Stir. Add a slice of lime.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Shake with ice and strain into collins glass over ice cubes. Fill with club soda.
Stir in collins glass. Then add ice cubes, fill with champagne and stir. Decorate with slice of lemon or orange and a cherry. Serve with straws.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Put bitters into cocktail glass and revolve the glass until it is entirely coated with the bitters. Then fill with gin. Note no ice.
Pour lemon juice and gin into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Fill with ginger ale and stir.
Dissolve sugar and club soda in goblet, then fill with ice and add gin. Stir and decorate with fruits in season. Serve with straws.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a twist of lemon peel.
Into collins glass stir sugar with 2 oz club soda. Fill glass with ice and add gin. Fill with club soda or ginger ale and stir again. Insert a spiral of orange and/or lemon peel and dangle both over rim of glass.
Shake with ice and strain into stein or metal cup. Add ice cubes and decorate with fruit.
Mix lemon juice, sugar, and water in highball glass. Stir and fill glass with ice. Add gin. Stir, add a slice of lemon. Serve with straws.
Shake with ice and strain into highball glass with two ice cubes. Fill with club soda and stir.
Pour into highball glass over ice cubes and fill with ginger ale or club soda. Add a twist of lemon peel, if desired, and stir.
Shake ingredients in cocktail glass. Note no ice.
Shake with ice and strain into collins glass, and sprinkle nutmeg on top.
Pour ingredients into highball glass over ice cubes and fill with club soda. Stir. Add a wedge of lime.
Dissolve sugar in water and add gin. Pour into highball glass over ice cubes. Fill with club soda and stir. Float port on top and sprinkle lightly with nutmeg.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Dissolve sugar in water and lemon juice. Add gin. Pour into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes and stir. Add a twist of orange peel.
Muddle sugar with club soda and mint in old-fashioned glass. Add gin and one ice cube. Stir and decorate with a slice of orange and a cherry. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Shake with ice and strain into sour glass. Decorate with 1/2 slice of lemon and a cherry.
Stir with ice and strain into highball glass over ice cubes. Fill with club soda and stir. Decorate with cubes of pineapple and strawberries.
Combine first three ingredients in collins glass. Fill glass with ice and stir. Add bitters and gin. Fill with clb soda and add swizzle stick.
Pour gin and lime juice into highball glass over ice cubes and fill with ginger ale.
In old-fashioned glass, mix sugar and water. Add gin and one ice cube. Stir and add a twist of lemon peel.
Pour gin into highball glass over ice cube and fill with tonic water.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into highball glass over two ice cubes. Fill with club soda and stir.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Shake with ice and strain into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes.
Shake with ice and strain into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Decorate with mint leaves.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Pour into highball glass over ice cubes. Stir well.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Decorate with two pineapple chunks.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with an olive.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a slice of orange.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Decorate with a slice of pineapple.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of orange peel.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Pour into highball glass over ice cubes and fill with ginger ale. Stir.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Pour gin and lemon juice over ice cubes in highball glass. Fill with ginger ale and stir.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Put sugar and 2 oz club soda into collins glass. Stir, fill glass with ice. and add gin and vermouth. Fill with club soda or ginger ale and stir again. Insert a spiral of orange and/or lemon peel and dangle end over rim of glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Muddle first four ingredients well, pour them into a collins glass filled with ice and add gin. Stir until frosted. Decorate with sprig of mint and serve with straws.
Put the juice of one lime and a lime twist into collins glass, and add gin. Fill glass with ginger ale and ice. Stir.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Stir gin and vermouth over ice cubes in mixing glass. Strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a twist of lemon peel or olive, if desired.
See above.
See above.
See above.
See Above.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Muddle ingredients. Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into highball glass over ice cubes. Fill glass with champagne and stir.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Pour into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Stir.
Shake with ice and strain into sugar-rimmed old-fashioned glass over ice cubes.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass, or into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes, with or without a splash of club soda. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice in mixing glass and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into highball glass over ice cubes. Fill with ginger ale and stir.
Shake with ice and strain into highball glass over ice cubes. Fill with ginger ale and stir.
Stir in old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Stir in old-fashioned glass over ice cubes.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into collins glass over ice cubes. Fill with club soda and stir. Add a pineapple stick.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a strip of pineapple.
Muddle ingredients. Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Into collins glass, put sugar and 2 oz club soda. Stir. Add ice cubes and gin. Fill with club soda or ginger ale and stir again. Insert a spiral of orange and/or lemon peel and dangle end over rim of glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Sprinkle with nutmeg.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Put first three ingredients into collins glass. Stir. Add ice cubes, anisette, and gin. Fill with ginger ale and stir again. Add a spiral of orange and/or lemon peel and dangle over rim of glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Moisten rim of cocktail glass with lemon juice and dinp into powdered sugar. Shake all ingredients above with ice and strain into prepared glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Shake with ice and strain over ice cubes into an old-fashioned glass rimmed with salt.
Pour into highball glass over ice cubes. Stir well. Vodka may be substituted for the gin.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add two sprigs of fresh mint.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Decorate with a sprig of fresh mint.
Shake with ice and strain into highball glass with ice cubes. Fill with ginger beer.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add two sprigs fresh mint.
Shake with ice and strain into highball glass with ice cubes. Fill with club soda and stir. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a cherry and a twist of orange peel.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a slice of lemon.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into stein or metal cup. Add an ice cube and decorate with fruit.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of orange peel.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Pour gin over ice cubes into highball glass and fill with tonic water. Stir Garnish with a lime wedge.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel and a cherry or olive.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into collins glass. Add several ice cubes, fill with club soda, and stir. Decorate with slices of lemon and orange and a cherry. Serve with a straw.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into highball glass over ice. Decorate with fruit slices and a cherry.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of orange peel.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.
Shake all ingredients except champage with ice. Strain into collins glass with ice cubes. Fill glass with champagne.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir in an old-fashioned glass over ice cubes.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a cocktail onion.
Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of orange peel.
Edited photo actually downloaded from Blue Sapphire Website