by Carolyn LoConte
They’re designed to keep everyone warm and cozy during the cold weather, and to change up traditional winter cocktails like mulled wine, hot cocoa with liqueur and hot toddies. Sipsmith has created four hot gin recipes and three winter-inspired ones, all with lifestyle photos inspired by the holidays.
THE SIPSMITH STORY
In 2007, two great friends from Cornwall, UK embarked on a mission to bring gin of uncompromising quality and character back to the city where it first earned its name.
The Sipsmith Founders – Jared Brown (left), Sam Galsworthy (middle), Fairfax Hall (right)
Sipsmith was born from two childhood friends, Sam Galsworthy and Fairfax Hall, who had an unwavering belief in things well made – the way they used to be, the way they should be. The duo went on to set up London’s first copper distillery since 1820, with the expertise of renowned drinks historian, Jared Brown. He joined the Sipsmith team as the master distiller with the same vision of creating a gin true to classic distilling processes, with a recipe inspired by over 200 years of London distilling history.
Sipsmith first opened its doors in 2009 in a tiny workshop in Hammersmith, London. In 2014, they moved to their current location on Cranbrook Road, remaining true to their West London roots. Their launch marked the beginning of a gin-distilling renaissance in London.
Sipsmith is a particularly dry gin with a zesty, citrus finish and can be described as the quintessential expression of a classic, traditional London Dry. With its uniquely traditional distilling process and blend of the best botanicals, Sipsmith sets the new benchmark for the highest quality classic London dry style gin, perfect for a G&T or a classic gin martini.
Important Sipsmith Facts
- Sipsmith is the first copper pot distillery in London for nearly 200 years.
- The Sipsmith name – Fairfax’s father, a silversmith, is the inspiration behind our name. A combination of “sip” – meaning to drink slowly, savour and enjoy – and “smith” – representing the skill and passion for loves laboured over by hand.
- The liquid is copper stilled in small batches to draw out any impurities, making it so incredibly smooth.
- One shot method – one of the few gins not to be made from concentrate – the spirit is infused with all 10 botanicals and macerates for approximately 15 hours.
- Hand cut – only ever made using the heart cut of the run, much like a fine single malt, delivering uncompromising quality of spirit.
- Small batch – copper still lovingly produce small batches of London Dry Gin.
HOT GIN COCKTAIL RECIPES + METHOD
Hot G&T
Hot G&T
1.5oz Sipsmith London Dry Gin
0.5oz Jack Rudy Tonic Syrup
1/3oz Sugar Syrup
Boiling water
Orange twist
Combine Sipsmith gin, tonic syrup and sugar syrup in a mug or heatproof stem glass. Stir well and top with boiling water. Garnish with an orange twist.
Hot Negroni
Sipsmith Hot Negroni
1oz Sipsmith London Dry Gin
1oz Campari
1oz Sweet vermouth
Red berry tea
Dehydrated orange
Pour Sipsmith, Campari and sweet vermouth into a mug and stir. Top with hot red berry tea and garnish with a dehydrated orange or a fresh orange slice.
Hot Pharmaceutical
1.5oz Sipsmith London Dry Gin
0.5oz maple syrup
0.5oz coffee liqueur
2 oz fresh espresso
Fresh cream
3 coffee beans, to garnish
Add Sipsmith, maple syrup, coffee liqueur and fresh
espresso into a glass vessel you can seal. Place the
vessel inside a hot water bath and leave until it has
warmed to 70 degrees C. Remove and pour into a
coupette. Float slightly whipped fresh cream on top
and garnish with the coffee beans.
HotClementine_Sipsmith London
Hot Clementine
1.5oz Sipsmith London Dry Gin
1/3oz gomme syrup
1/4 oz freshly squeezed clementine juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Sage leaf, to garnish
Warm clementine juice gently in a pan until hot but
not boiling. Remove from the heat. Add the other
ingredients and stir well before serving. Pour into a
mug and garnish with a sage leaf.
COCKTAILS INSPIRED BY WINTER FLAVOURS
Gingerbread Sour
Sipsmith Gingerbread Sour
1.5oz Sipsmith London Dry Gin
0.5oz Lemon Juice
0.5oz Gingerbread Syrup
Egg white
1 dash Angostura bitters
Fresh Ginger to garnish
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and dry
shake. Add ice and shake again. Double strain into a
chilled glass and garnish with slices of fresh ginger.
Blood Orange Negroni
Blood Orange Negroni Sipsmith London
1 oz Sipsmith London Dry Gin
1oz Campari
1oz Sweet vermouth
1oz fresh Blood Orange Juice
Dried blood orange slice
Rosemary sprig
Fill a mixing glass with ice and add all ingredients
into the glass. Stir and strain into a chilled rocks glass.
Garnish with dried blood orange and rosemary.
Chestnut Martini
Chesnut Martini – Sipsmith London
1.5oz Sipsmith London Dry Gin
1 teaspoon Chestnut Syrup
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Green Chartreuse Rinse
Glacé Cherries
Combine all ingredients except the Chartreuse in an
ice filled mixing glass. Stir well. Rinse a chilled
coupette with Green Chartreuse and double strain
ingredients into the glass. Garnish with glacé cherries
