What would you do if I told you that Musgrave Gin has four ways to transform your Mother’s Day, with the tingling sensation of a high tea with artisanal gins? Now, it’s no hidden secret that the artisan gin scene in South Africa is lush – just looking at the beautiful bottle and recipes of Musgrave Gin already has me feeling fabulous. Florals, botanicals, herbals, and even robust blends from earthy materials are what keep our Cape Town and Joburg nightlife ticking.
While I don’t particularly feel like gifting a very fancy glass of Musgrave and tonic to our lemon trees, I must say that I feel a gin cocktail is one that speaks the most to me. One of my silliest memories with my mum was her decorating this beautiful, crystal glass that was so see-through and clear that I could have actually reached my hand through it without realising. In this glass, my mother was sprinkling pink peppercorns and slapping mint leaves with a sprig of rosemary and orange slice nearby. When I asked what she was doing, she told me rather matter-of-factly, that she was making a gin and tonic. But, she had no cordials, so she felt she needed to shjushj it up with garnishes.
These words all meant absolute bollocks to me at the time, and I thought she was barking mad to be putting salad ingredients into a glass. I very nearly phoned the Gin Police, because how could she be putting this concoction together?
Anyhow, it soon became my favourite classic drink in my adult years when hosting at home. Salad ingredients and all. Gin cocktails are so experimental, which is now one of the most creatively inspiring drinks in my cabinets! So, in honour of my little tale, I wanted to share the delightful ways that Musgrave is reinventing the wheel with a gin and high tea pairing. Here’s how:
- Create a Botanical Setting
Set a welcoming atmosphere with light floral decorations. Add a few cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, and dried rose petals to your table for a touch of botanical inspiration. Consider suggesting a casual floral dress code to match the theme. - Serve Complementary Foods!
Offer foods that enhance gin flavours. Try cardamom chicken sandwiches with mango chutney, rose macarons, and ginger cookies. Orange scones with cardamom marmalade make a nice addition that highlights the citrus notes in the gin. - Mix Special Gin Cocktails!
For upping the ante on your at-home mixology…- Spiced Tea Negroni
- For a hot aperitif that will fill the air with aromas of mulled spices, hibiscus and deep citrus, perfect for Autumn. To prep, make 400ml hibiscus tea (about 2 teaspoon loose leaf tea) Add 100 ml sugar syrup.
- 35 ml Musgrave Pink Gin
- 25 ml rosso vermouth (Martini)
- Orange bitter
- Aromatic bitters
- 1 orange slice
- Half cinnamon quill
- 2 cloves
- 1 star anise
- Sweet hibiscus tea
- Garnish: Cinnamon Stick and a slice of orange
- Add all ingredients to a heatproof balloon glass. Heat glass with chef’s torch and set alight while swirling (be careful). Suspend on a tumbler glass and serve first 2 ingredients to mug and fill with hot coffee and stir. Layer an orange oil infused whipped cream on top.
- Or, if you’re a classic mixed with contemporary girl…
- Simple Gin Fizz
- For a twist on a G&T…
- 50ml Musgrave Original Gin or Musgrave Pink Gin
- 15ml Fresh lime juice
- 10ml Sugar syrup
- Soda water
- Slice of grapefruit, pomegranates, and sprig of thyme to garnish
- Offer special keepsakes!
Consider giving your mom and her guests engraved gin glasses or personalised cocktail recipe book with family recipes. Even a memory book filled with photos and notes from each other’s children.
For more on Musgrave Spirits visit www.musgravespirits.com
