By this time in the winter I feel dehydrated and sparked by flavors that seem to signal the coming of spring. We still have a few months of winter before us in Colorado, which can take many forms from dry, cold temps to manic teasing days varying from ‘get your sleeveless Easter dress picked out’ to a dump of heavy, wet, unexpected snow. Being braced for anything is our motto and never rushing to imagine we are done with snow until at least late May.
Despite all of this, it is citrus season which though a winter crop feels more ‘warm weather’ to me. Ideas for new infusions pop to mind without warning, usually thirst-quenching concepts promising to calm my psyche into believing a liquor oasis will quell the cold weather chapping of lips and buffeting winds at least for a few imaginary-palm-tree moments!
With a load of Floridian grapefruit filling an auxiliary refrigerator, the idea of Grapefruit-Lemongrass-Lime Gin is my latest thirst-quenching vision. I usually infuse with vodka feeling it provides a neutral flavored liquor partner to let the flavors shine however the botanicals in gin seemed a more apt partner for this tangy citrus libation.
Having said that, all gin is not created equal nor does it taste the same. When I approach an infusion I’m thoughtful about what flavors I want to comingle, so I often select a brand with that in mind. I have two shelves in my pantry dedicated to bottles of liquor and experimental Mason jars so I really do think through how I hope it will turn out and add the components to match that.
In the end this infusion may be one of my all time favorites. It is bright, refreshing and a breath-of-fresh-air in a glass. It feels like vacation to me. I considered elaborate cocktails to marry it with but in the end opted for keeping it simple and mixed it into a Gin and Tonic with a particular tonic brand, Fentimans. As with liquor, tonic water all tastes differently.
A quick note about Lemongrass. If you are not familiar with lemongrass, it is a seasoning found commonly in Thai food. In the store it is a long, woody stock with reed-like long leaves protecting a softer center. There is a local organic herb farm where I live (Osage Gardens) which grows and packages it for sale locally. You can also find it in Asian supermarkets. Its flavor is a soft and lemony with some grassy notes thrown in. It can be difficult to cut. I included 4 5-inch pieces of the lower stock in this infusion which I cut in half vertically. If you do not have a heavy sharp knife I’d throw the pieces in whole. It can be very difficult to cut through due to its woody texture.
I hope you’ll too find this to breathe some fresh sunny air and the promise of spring into your cocktail hour!
Recipe
Grapefruit-Lemongrass-Lime Infused Gin and a Gin & Tonic cocktail
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Infused Gin:
- 2 cups Gin (I used Bombay)
- 1 large Grapefruit , peeled, pith removed, segmented and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 5-inch stocks of Lemongrass , each cut in half vertically if possible
- 1 Lime , peeled and cut into ¼-inch slices
Ingredients for the Infused Gin and Tonic cocktail:
- 1 ½ ounces Grapefruit-Lemongrass-Lime infused Gin
- Tonic to fill (I used Fentimans)
- Ice
Instructions
Instructions for infusing the Grapefruit-Lemongrass-Lime Gin:
- Add all ingredients into a sealable glass container. Place in a cool, dark location for 5 days. Taste; if to your liking proceed to the next step. If you wish the flavor to be stronger, return the sealed container to sit until you like the depth of flavor.
- Place grapefruit pieces and lime slices into a sieve (fine mesh strainer). With a wooden spoon or other similar implement, holding strainer over the infused gin, press on the citrus to release all possible juice to run back into the infusion mixture. Discard citrus remains.
- Holding the sieve over a clean bowl or container, pour the entire infusion mixture through the sieve again to strain out lemongrass and remaining particles. The infused Gin can be stored, sealed in a glass container, in a cool dark place or in the refrigerator if you prefer it to be cold awaiting cocktail mixing!
Instructions for mixing the Infused Gin and Tonic cocktail:
- In a highball glass filled with ice, pour in infused gin and fill with tonic.
Nutrition
Theresa says
Do you have to add any sugar?
Toni Dash says
Hi Theresa. As noted in the recipe, there is no sugar.
Jason says
Tried this with fever tree tonic and it’s delicious. Also tried swapping the grapefruit for 1 oz of thinly sliced fresh ginger, which would be a good winter substitution, nice and warm.
Toni Dash says
I love Fever Tree products too Jason. LOVE the ginger idea! Thanks for your time in commenting.
Annie says
A tip on that lemongrass. A friend who grew up in SE Asia taught me that bruising the stalks of lemongrass help to give up their flavor. Just grab hold and give the stalks a few good whacks on the edge of your counter. It’s still tough to chop, even fresh, but breaking the tough stems makes a difference.
Jessica says
HI! Quick question, do you use the peel or the flesh for this recipe? I read it as using the flesh, so then why don’t you just use the juice? I’m confused,but I would really love to make this as gift!
Toni Dash says
Hi Jessica. As noted in the recipe you remove the peel and the pith (the white membrane between the peel and fruit) of the grapefruit and peel the lime. The flesh of the fruit is then cut or sliced as described in the recipe. It is the flesh of the fruit that is infused with the vodka.
Infusing the fruits creates a different flavor profile than mixing juice into the vodka, and technically that would be a cocktail and not an infusion. Allowing the fruit to sit (or ‘infuse’) in the vodka, transferring the flavors into the vodka creates a newly flavored vodka. This makes a very refreshing, layered flavor vodka that would make a great gift! Hope that helps!
Kyle says
Seems to be a lot of takes on the gin & tonic combinations, I’m liking the idea of lemongrass in this recipe. Saw one for rosemerry too, not sure that’s really for me! :/
Heide M. says
Nice twist on a classic.
Meeling says
Well, I know what’s going to be brewing next in my house!! Sounds wonderfully refreshing.
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
Two shelves? Wow. You’re definitely the place to come when looking for inspiration then. We don’t drink much hard liquor at all, more beer and wine than anything. I keep bunch of bottles on the buffet, but it’s mostly for cooking. That being said, every once in a while a mixed drink sounds good and since I’m a citrus fan, this would whet my whistle perfectly.
Toni Dash says
I was just telling a friend that if you did not know me you might imagine from my blog that I spend a great deal of time passed out in a gutter! However, quite to the contrary, I love the creation process hence the plethora of mason jars in the pantry! I really need to have an annual cocktail party to clear it all out! I really drink cocktails mainly in the heat of summer and wine the rest of the year.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
I love creative cocktails- I’m so boring at home.
Toni Dash says
Ha! Maybe it’s my boredom that give birth to this idea!