While some people choose the month of January to avoid drinking alcohol, GIN-uary is on a different end of the spectrum. The month is meant to celebrate gin as a versatile spirit that offers all sorts of opportunities to explore unique and interesting flavours and styles of gin, as well as recipes that can be made using it.

And GIN-uary is the perfect time to make such explorations and discoveries!

History of Ginuary

Gin is a spirit that has a rich and unique history that begins in Europe. Originally used for its medical effects, the name may have come from a Flemish word “genever” or “jenever” and then it was likely shortened to simply become “gin”, as it is known today.

While it certainly has some roots within the Dutch culture, some historians believe that gin goes even further back. It may even extend as far as the 11th century, starting with monks in Southern Italy who made the spirit from the juniper trees.

Gin moved across the continent and then came into popularity in England in the 17th century.

Read below for easy gin cocktail recipes:

Bramble

You’ll need:

40ml gin

20ml sugar syrup

20ml lemon juice

10ml crème de mure

Berries or lemon zest – to garnish

Tip the gin, sugar syrup and lemon juice together in a shaker, then pour this over crushed ice and drizzle with the crème de mure. Garnish with lemon zest or fresh seasonal berries.

Elderflower collins

You’ll need:

50ml gin

20ml lemon juice

10ml sugar syrup

10ml elderflower cordial

Soda water – for topping up

Herb sprigs – to garnish

Shake the gin with the lemon juice, sugar and a dash of elderflower cordial in a cocktail shaker. Pour over rock ice and top up with soda water. Garnish with a sprig of your favourite herb.

Negroni

You’ll need:

25ml gin

25ml sweet vermouth

25ml Campari

1 strip of peeled orange zest

Pour the gin, vermouth and Campari into a rocks of glass filled with ice. Stir until it is diluted to your taste then twist the orange peel over the glass to release the oils and drop it into the drink before serving.