Celebrate Summer Cocktail Hour With Bombay Sapphire East

Gin has always been the classic cocktail spirit that was meant to be mixed. As a key ingredient to many of the season’s most refreshing cocktails, it balances botanicals with light and fresh seasonal flavours like citrus and fruits. This summer, Bombay Sapphire East Gin is reminding Canadians of the many reasons why gin is the perfect drink choice to help celebrate your summer cocktail hours, whether they’re at the cottage, your local patio or in your own backyard.

“From a subtle hint of citrus, to its complex, yet balanced flavour, gin features the ultimate crisp and refreshing qualities that make it the perfect summer drink,” says David Wolowidnyk, Vancouver Brand Ambassador, Bombay Sapphire. “Bombay Sapphire’s unique vapour infusion process and exotic handpicked botanicals make it exceptionally well balanced and extraordinarily mixable, making it the perfect choice for your favourite gin cocktail.”

With approximately 50 million cases of gin sold around the world every year, there are many reasons to raise a glass this summer and here are Bombay Sapphire’s top 5:

Bombay Sapphire East’s Top 5 Reasons why Gin is the Spirit of Summer

1. Tonic originated in India as the quinine in tonic was a remedy to combat mosquito-borne malaria. Adding ice, citrus and gin made the tonic more refreshing and palatable and the citrus also helped prevent scurvy. While malaria and scurvy aren’t concerns here in Canada, mosquitoes definitely are…so go ahead and enjoy a Gin and Tonic, just to be safe!

2. Since the 1800s, gin has been the go-to spirit for bartenders, as its botanical flavours add complexity to any cocktail, while balancing perfectly with light summer ingredients.

3. Many experts would agree that gin is vodka’s worldlier, more interesting older brother. Replacing vodka with Bombay Sapphire in summer cocktail favourites such as a Caesar will add a new layer of complexity to your drink.

4. Gin is globally renowned for being refreshing on a hot day and consumption rates are highest in warm climates like Spain, the world’s number one gin market.

5. Gin is an aperitif, preparing the palate and stimulating the appetite, and thus every great summer BBQ or dining experience should start with a gin cocktail, like a Negroni.

Mosquitoes aside, it’s no surprise that the classic Gin and Tonic is the number #1 reason on Bombay Sapphire East’s list, with 65% of the world’s gin enjoyed in a Gin and Tonic.

“There nothing more refreshing on a hot summer afternoon than a Gin and Tonic,” says Wolowidnyk. “This summer, try adding a refreshingly exotic twist to this classic with Bombay Sapphire East, Infusing Thai lemongrass and Vietnamese black peppercorns to offer a gentle hint of citrus and spice, to create the ultimate Gin and Tonic.”

Created to compliment and stand up to the subtle bitterness of tonic, Bombay Sapphire East is exceptionally smooth and delicately balanced, perfect for your summer Gin and Tonic.

THE SAPPHIRE EAST GIN AND TONIC
Recipe:
– 1 ½ oz Bombay Sapphire East
– Fever Tree tonic
– Lemongrass stem
– Cracked peppercorn
– Lime wedge

Garnish:
– Peppercorn sprinkle and lemongrass stem

Directions:
– Press 3 small bulbs of lemongrass and lime wedge into the base of glass. Build other ingredients. Serve in a stemless red wine glass