We love Albariño for its refreshing, beachy qualities. No matter the time of year, this delightful Spanish varietal’s citrus-forward yet soft flavors and floral nose whisk us away at first whiff. It finishes crisp and clean, with just a hint of minerality, transporting us to relaxing destinations with every sip.
Albariño’s universal appeal and bright fruit character make it an excellent pairing wine. We opted to take that to the next level with this summer-ready Albariño Gimlet. Our friend Bret Sylvester, a Bay Area beverage consultant known for his creative cocktails, was happy to oblige. Our only request? Simple ingredients that are easy to source. You may already have them at home!
He definitely delivered with this breezy take on a classic gimlet. Our Albariño sings with a squeeze of lime and a hint of mint syrup that is easy and fun to make at home. A high-quality gin will bring even more distinction to the flavors (we love No. 209 and St. George Terroir gin from two wonderful San Francisco area distillers).
This libation’s best feature is its versatility. Stick to the ingredient portions, but swap out mint syrup for regular simple syrup, agave sweetener, or play around with your own “tea syrup” recipe – we think green or lemon tea would be just as delicious. We are lucky to have tons of mint springing up in Kathy’s yard so we chose to garnish with a fresh mint sprig, but you can use a lime wedge or even a slice of cucumber to suit your craving.
We are all about using what you’ve got and enjoying it to the fullest!
We are all about using what you’ve got
and enjoying it to the fullest!
Make Your Own Albariño Gimlet – Serves 1
Syrup Ingredients:
2 Cups sugar
1 Cup water
1 Mint tea bag
Cocktail Ingredients:
1/2 oz Mint simple syrup, above
1 ½ oz Albariño (or crisp white wine)
1 ½ oz Gin
1 oz Fresh lime juice
A pinch of sea salt
1 Fresh spring mint for garnish
Instructions:
To make the mint tea syrup, heat water over medium low heat until warmed. Add sugar and stir until fully dissolved. Do not boil. Once dissolved, remove from heat and add 1 mint tea bag to steep, approximately 5 minutes. We are going for just a hint of mint! Cool to room temperature and store remaining syrup in the refrigerator for later use.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add all ingredients, above. Shake very well. Strain into a glass with one ice cube or serve neat, depending on your glassware. Top with mint or garnish of your choice. Now kick back, take a sip and relax!
Notes for Customizing:
Fresh mint can be used in place of mint tea. Tea can also be omitted from the syrup recipe for a more traditional flavor. Or play with your own tea ideas and swap the mint out for something else tasty! We recommend lemon tea or green tea.
If you prefer to use agave sweetener over sugar, substitute in the same proportions. Simply stir agave into water – no heating necessary.
Lemon juice can easily be used instead of lime.
If you don’t have fresh mint for garnish, it can be omitted. For a different essence, top with a lemon/lime wedge, a sprig of thyme, a slice of cucumber or anything else you have handy! Cheers!
