Fruity Gin Drinks

• Gin can be used as a base for many fruity drinks and cocktails. cocktail image by Travelfish from Fotolia.com

  Gin is a spirit flavored with juniper berries and made from a grain mash of barley, corn or rye. In the 17th century chemists in Holland sold gin as a medicament to treat stomach complaints and gallstones. Subsequently, it became a favorite with British army soldiers.

Beaux Arts Cocktail

• A beaux arts cocktail is a combination of gin, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, pineapple juice and orange juice. A dash of anisette can be added, to taste. The cocktail is served in a chilled glass on top of crushed ice.

Bloodhound

• A bloodhound is made from gin, vermouth and strawberry coulis (or crushed strawberries.) Some bartenders also add strawberry liqueur. An alternative can be made with raspberries. The duke of Manchester first introduced the bloodhound to the United Kingdom in 1922.

The Bronx

• The Bronx is a combination of gin, sweet red vermouth, dry vermouth and orange juice. Its origins are unclear but it is said to have been created by a bartender in Philadelphia in 1900, after he visited the Bronx Zoo. To make a silver Bronx, add one egg white. A golden Bronx contains a single egg yolk.

Gimlet

• Created by Dr. T.O. Gimlette, this drink is a simple combination of gin and lime juice. Gimlet originated as a remedy for scurvy on board British Royal Navy ships. The Merchant Shipping Act of 1867 required all ships to carry stores of lime juice to prevent scurvy among sailors. The sailors mixed the lime juice with gin, and so the gimlet was created. It was a favorite drink of Raymond Chandler's fictional detective, Philip Marlowe.

Singapore Sling

• The Singapore sling is associated with the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. It is said that the barman at the hotel, NgiamTong Boon, invented the pink drink to appeal to colonial ladies. The ingredients used today vary, but tend to include gin, Benedictine, grenadine, pineapple juice and lime juice. Some bartenders substitute pomegranate juice for pineapple juice.