New Amsterdam Gin Cocktail

Recently, I went to Tales of the Cocktail, an international acclaimed cocktail and cuisine festival in New Orleans. It was a fabulous experience and basically created a monster. I now think I'm a mixologist. To make my new imaginary profession worst, I was in a mixology competition. I competed in The Next GINeration Cocktail Challenge presented by New Amsterdam Gin. For this competition, participants had 10 minutes to create a cocktail inspired by New Orleans, name and story for your drink! Before I get into my creation, let me tell you a little about gin and New Amsterdam Gin.

Gin 101

Gin is a colorless neutral alcohol with a base flavor of juniper berry.  Additional flavors depend on the company and incorporates different botanicals. Gin was created in 1650 by a physician in Holland as a medicinal tonic! It was originally called genever, which is Dutch for juniper.

New Amsterdam Gin

New Amsterdam Gin is produced in Modesto, California and named after the original Dutch settlement, which is today New York City. This gin not only has a citrus flavor, but smooth taste.  It was the recipient of the prestigious Double Gold medal at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In addition, it received Gold medals at both the 2008 and 2007 competition. New Amsterdam was also named a ―Best Buy‖ (88 points) by The Beverage Testing Institute in 2010.

 For more information, visit www.newamsterdamgin.com

Check out some New Amsterdam Cocktail Recipes

New Amsterdam Cocktail Party Tips!!!

Thoughts on New Amsterdam Gin
Originally, I wasn't a big fan of gin period. It was nothing I would never order or use to create a cocktail. Then, I tried this gin and it was extremely smooth and not what I expected from a gin. Usually I find gin extremely overbearing in cocktails, but definitely not with this one. You should try it out, plus its reasonably priced!

My Creation

I created a drink called Magazine Street Nola Dreams. I decided upon that name because in New Orleans one of my favorite streets to shop and visit cool places is Magazine Street. Boutiques and the colors made me think of my creation.

Ingredients

2oz. New Amsterdam Gin

2oz. Cranberry Juice

1oz.  Pineapple Juice

7 to 10 mint leaves

1 Cherry

1 Orange Slice

Process

1. Pour cranberry and pinepple juice in glass. 

2. Add mint leaves to glass.

3. Muddle leaves with juices. This is to mix ingredients in the bottom of the glass.
4. Put ice in martini shaker.
5. Connect your glass to your martini shaker and shake for at least 1.5 minutes.
6. Using strainer pour cocktail in glass.
7. Garnish with a orange and lime slice.
8. Add one extra mint leave at top with a cherry
9. Then enjoy!

This is a drink I enjoy. The flavors mixed with the smooth New Amsterdam gin, create a yummy drink. Not too sweet just right! Try it sometimes.

Extra favorite recipe for you to try!
Fat Tuesday
Ingredients
2oz New Amsterdam Gin
dash of bitters
1 1/2 oz cranberry juice
1/2 oz simple syrup or agave nectar
2 oz ginger beer
Muddle radish in bottom of shaker. Add all other ingredients except the ginger beer, and shake vigorously. Strain over ice into a lowball or rocks glass. Add ginger beer to float on top. Garnish with a radish slice or lemon peel.