Bombay Sapphire Gin

Bombay Sapphire Gin is one of the more popular premium gins on the market for a very good reason. This London Dry gin is one of those that is distinctly gin but not overwhelming on any of the botanicals, which makes it ideal for mixing into any gin cocktail. Beyond the mixable, aromatic flavor, Bombay Sapphire is also reasonably priced and readily available so it can (and should) become a reliable staple in any bar. This is also an ideal gin to introduce people to gin because it is not overpowering but very appealing to any taste.

The beauty of Bombay Sapphire Gin is in the taste. The botanicals are nicely balanced and add a crispness to the spirit. The ingredients are an international affair and include Italian juniper berries and orris root, Spanish almonds and lemons, grains of paradise from West Africa, Chinese liquorice and cassia bark, angelica from Saxony, Moroccan coriander, and cubeb berries from Java. The recipe was inspired by one from 1761 and it is a delight to have a gin such as this revived from the beginning of English gins.

This aromatic flavoring leads to a very mixable gin for any cocktail you desire and it has inspired many modern twists on classic cocktails. Bombay Sapphire makes a superb Martini that is not overly priced but matches the depth of many of the more expensive gins. The wonderful aroma alone led me to employ it as a preferred base for two of my original cocktails, the Lavender Martini and Dafne Martini.

If you are a Gin and Tonic fan, this just happens to be one of the best gins for the drink and I can almost guarantee that you will find it behind every bar. For a fruitier version of the G&T, two modern twists, the American Collins and Red White and Sapphire are fantastic choices - one with raspberries and the other with bing cherries and blueberries. Yet another option is the Lavender Sapphire Collins. You may notice a propensity for lavender and Bombay and that is because it is a perfect marriage. In reality I cannot see being let down by any Bombay Sapphire cocktail.

Tasting Notes:
Bombay Sapphire opens with a touch of juniper, a ripe citrus and hints of spice in the fragrance. The palate is exceptionally smooth and allows the botanicals to open up one by one and mix in the most lovely way with juniper slightly at the forefront. The finish is bolder but retains the spirit's brightness.

More Bombay Sapphire Cocktails:

• Candy Corn
• Early Autumn