Yes, that’s a thing. I think a lot of people think of gin as a hot-weather spirit (and it certainly has a long association with tropical locales), but in the US it’s worth noting that citrus fruits (a main component of gin’s unique flavor and one of its most common cocktail companions, including in the G&T and the gimlet) are actually winter-season produce. So maybe it’s time to put gin in the limelight (as it were) for fall.
The recipe for a gin and tonic is super complicated: pour chilled gin into glass, top with tonic and a lime wedge; drink. It’s a classic for a reason. And any of the gins below are great options for that treatment, but we’ll also offer some next-level suggestions.
MALFY, already a very citrus-forward gin, has recently added to the swelling ranks of Gins That Are Pink with a grapefruit infused version (MALFY Rosa), and also a very pretty, sunset-colored blood orange concoction (MALFY Con Arancia). Both are primo options for the basic G&T, but they offered us some alternatives you might want to consider if you’re feeling citrusy.
Three Cocktails with MALFY Rosa
Italian Pink Lemonade
Ingredients
2 oz. MALFY Rosa
1 oz. Limoncello (Sorrento is recommended; choose your own adventure)
3 oz. Club soda
Directions: Mix MALFY Rosa with limoncello in an ice-filled highball glass then top up with club soda and garish with a wedge of lime and raspberry.
Pink Gin Fizz
Ingredients
1.5 oz. MALFY Rosa
3 oz. Prosecco
Directions: Mix MALFY Rosa with Prosecco in flute then garnish with a grapefruit twist. The maker recommends Sicilian grapefruit but let’s assume your option is likely to be a good ol’ Texas Ruby.
MALFY Rosa Pink Gin & Tonic
Ingredients
2 oz. MALFY Rosa
3 oz. Tonic water
Directions: Mix MALFY Rosa with tonic water in ice-filled goblet. Garnish with a fresh wedge of grapefruit and sprig of rosemary.
Three Cocktails with MALFY Con Arancia
Sicilian Sour
Ingredients
2 oz. MALFY Con Arancia
1 oz. Fresh lime juice
1 dash Simple syrup
1 dash Angostura Bitters
2 dashes Orange Bitters
Directions: Mix MALFY Con Arancia with fresh lime juice, then add simple syrup, Angostura bitters and orange bitters. Serve over ice in a tumbler and garnish with a strip of orange.
