This post was not sponsored by Eat Y’all or Cathead Distillery.
It’s humorous that this grapefruit cocktail is the drink I’m obsessed with this summer. One, because I hate grapefruit. And two, I hate gin. Until now.
In my last post, I mentioned the Writer’s and Chef’s Tour I participated in last month. Another one of the stops on the tour was Cathead Distillery, Mississippi’s first and only vodka distillery. They recently moved operations to the downtown area. I tried to coax The Husband into touring the place during one of our rare baby-free weekends, but I didn’t get much interest. The evening we toured the distillery, I left him home alone with our two kids. I didn’t feel bad about it. No, not even a little bit.
This gin has a pretty neat backstory. One of the owners of Cathead wanted to propose to his girlfriend. Her grandfather was a judge in South Carolina and a prolific gin drinker. This gin was intended to be a wedding gift for her grandfather only. Good thing they changed their mind.
I have tried gin before. The Husband occasionally likes to sip on a gin and tonic after the littles have gone to bed. Typically, it has too much of an anise astringency for my liking. Bristow has a herbal flavor that’s much more palatable, especially for non-gin drinkers like myself. Later that evening, we were treated to dinner at The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen, where we were presented with gin and tonic cocktails made with Bristow Gin. It was delicious and refreshing!
Not surprisingly, The Husband was intrigued by this gin and tonic his non-gin drinking wife came home raving about. So the next time he made a trip to the liquor store, he bought a bottle. The first bottle went entirely into making gin and tonics. However, I really wanted to try it in this grapefruit cocktail I’ve been making for several months now.
The traditional name for this drink is a Rosemary Greyhound. It’s also traditionally made with vodka. But the herbal undertones in the gin pair so well with the rosemary simple syrup, I wouldn’t drink it any other way. The simple syrup also cuts the bitterness of the grapefruit juice making this sweet and almost floral.
Be careful, though. At 94 proof, Bristow Gin packs a punch. When blended with this sweet, fragrant cocktail, it’s easy sippin’ and downright dangerous.
Rosemary, Gin, and Grapefruit Cocktail
Ingredients
Rosemary Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 large sprigs of rosemary
Cocktail:
- 2 ounces Bristow gin
- 3 ounces ruby red grapefruit juice
- 1 ounce rosemary simple syrup more if you want it a little sweeter
Instructions
For the rosemary simple syrup:
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Combine the simple syrup ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Heat to a boil, them allow to simmer until the sugar has dissolved, about a minute or two. Remove pan from heat. Allow the mixture to cool completely. Remove and discard the rosemary stems before serving.
For the cocktail:
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Combine cocktail ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for a few seconds until everything is combined. Strain into ice filled glasses.
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Garnish with grapefruit wedges and rosemary springs if desired.
I am obsessed with essentially the same drink. The only difference is that I use regular simple syrup and muddle the rosemary into the drink. Oh and I throw in a little bitters as well. Such a refreshing cocktail for the hot humid summer!
Ooh, bitters! I need to try that. Thanks for the idea, Carol!
Ok, i made this with fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. Found it to be way too bitter.
Start light with the gin, add more to taste.