The Gin Martini Cocktail at Dutch Freds NYC Winner of Best Gin Martini in New York 2023
On December 1, 2020, one hundred years following the prohibition of alcohol and during the 87th anniversary of Repeal week , New York's premier cocktail exhibition and spirit showcase, the New York Cocktail Expo, kicked off the most iconic and historic series of blind tasting events. "The Best Spirits in Cocktails Awards" showcased Top Bar Industry Tasting Panelists who would decide the Best Spirits in The Iconic Cocktails of Time.
The Best Gin in the Martini 2023 Blind Tasting Panel:
Eamon Rockey (Rockeys Botanical Liquer), Maxwell Britten (Product Manager for Café 11), Steven Rhea (Former Head Bartender, Maison Premiere).
The contest...same recipe, only a different Gin in the cocktail each round. The recipe and cocktails for this tasting would be made and hosted by Dutch Freds of New York City which was Awarded as Winner of Best Martini in New York 2023. (pictured above).
The Winning Martini recipe and award winning Gins from the landmark Martini spirit competition are listed below. Cheers!
Gold Medal Winner
Brooklyn Gin was created to bring a fresh, vibrant flavor to elevate your favorite cocktail. We use fresh citrus, hand crushed juniper berries and old-school production techniques for the freshest tasting gin. It takes a little more time and effort, but we believe you can taste the difference in every sip.
We have our roots in the Brooklyn community and its culture, and are currently building a new distillery at 316 Douglass Street in Gowanus, Brooklyn
Flavor / Taste / Palate: More juniper and deep citrus notes, oranges give a little sweetness against the tangy limes and lemons. There is also a floral aroma.
Smell / Nose / Aroma
Thick with juniper, lemons and slightly aromatic.
Finish
Long and mellow.
ABV: 40%
Silver Medal Winner
American Dry Gins are made to explore a more complex aromatic element using traditional botanicals that complement and balance each other. Our use of Cubeb Berries and Chamomile give a unique twist to this classic spirit, creating a Gin that would be right at home here in New York or across the pond!
Tasting Notes: Pop of juniper on the nose dissipating into spice.
Lingering dryness and a hint of floral on the tongue.
Smooth dry finish with earthy undertones
ABV: 42.0%
Bronze Medal Winner
Palo santo. Sage. Jasmine. Formulated to celebrate traditional curandera ceremonies. Hierbas de limpia de energia negativa. Flores para atraer el amor. Resinas que amplian la consciencia.
Nose / Aroma / Smell: The aroma very floral with the juniper and citrus following along and a hint of savory sage keeping the fragrance earthy and grounded.
Flavor / Taste / Palate: The flavor still leads with the floral notes but now a mix of woods and resins join the flavor party with a nice spice that sneaks up on you.
Finish: The finish is crisp and a bit spicy with a peppery zest lingering on the back palate.
ABV: 43%
Try These Gins Below for your own Martini Tasting!
A Best Gin in the Martini Nominee!
"Our ultra clean, 6-times distilled, gluten-free corn base spirit provides the perfect blank canvas to allow our wonderful Californian botanicals to truly shine. Our carefully selected botanicals are sourced from sustainable farms, or wild foraged. First, all our sun-dried botanicals are weighed, inspected and poured directly into the pot still. Then the fresh hand-zested citrus and fir-tree needles are placed into a vapor extraction bag. This wonderfully fragrant giant tea bag is carefully tied inside our copper pot still helmet, directly above the base spirit." Read more...
Aroma: Citrus, with lemony notes, hints of mint and evergreen inspired pine. As it sits, a warming, earthy nuttiness begins to emerge.
Flavor: A faint nuttiness with gentle echoes of mint on the entry. Pine-forward juniper mid-palate echoes both juniper and fir needles. Slightly sweet, the botanicals evoke a texture and richness to the palate.
Lime skins, citrus pith, and herbaceous pine segue into a minty, slightly mineral sensation in the back of the palate.
Finish: Gently warm with very little burn. The botanicals lend Gray Whale Gin an impressive tenacity on the palate when sipping it neat. However long it may be, it feels rather one note and slight given the botanical intensity elsewhere.
ABV: 43%
A Best Gin in the Martini Nominee!
Distilled in Nikka Whisky’s signature “Coffey Still”, the rich and mellow spirit at the heart of this gin is characterized by a luxurious and silky texture. In addition to traditional gin botanicals, its stunning aromatic complexity relies on the refreshing burst of Japanese citrus such as Yuzu, Kabosu, Amanatsu and Shikuwasa, the delicate fruitiness of apples, and pleasantly tangy hints of Japanese Sansho pepper on the finish.
Nose / Aroma / Smell: Citrus-forward aroma with hints of Meyer lemons and menthol.
Flavor / Taste / Palate: Unprecedented palate with wonderful sourness in the background and an explosion of lemon zest and orange.
Finish: Incredibly long and bitter, IPA like finish.
Starting with an ultra-refined wheat-based spirit and infusing an alluring blend of botanicals, creates an exotic citrus experience that will have you coming back for more. Named “The Official Gin of Summer” by Food and Beverage Magazine, the rich and juicy orange delivers a bold fruit taste and is a perfect match for the New York State Cascade hops and delicate notes of juniper. Citrus Forward will add a unique character to any cocktail.
Nose / Aroma / Smell: The aroma is bright with notes of citrus, lemon grass, and coriander.
Flavor / Taste / Palate: The palate is sweet and earthy with notes of fruit, spices, and hops.
Finish: The finish is clean and refreshing with notes of juniper.
ABV: 42%
"Citadelle Original is our very first gin, the French gin par excellence. Dry and structured, it strikes a perfect balance between finesse and intensity. It has been the signature expression of our savoir-faire since 1996."
Nose: A delicate and fragrant nose of fresh flowers. After a few moments, stronger, more herbaceous aromas of juniper, citrus and cardamom develop in a most remarkable way
Palate: On the palate, juniper gives way to a voluptuous complexity redolent of peppery and strong spices, leading into an elegant, round and highly refined finish
ABV: 44%
The process begins with an array of ingredients assembled by the curious mind of PJ Rigney.
Slow distillation commences. 8 botanicals are added to the copper pot. 4 Botanicals are added
to the Vapor Basket. Read more...
Nose / Aroma / Smell: Citrus, star anise with notes of tea.
Flavor / Taste / Palate: Coriander, citrus and warm spice.
Finish: Bold, spiced and long.
ABV: 43%
"Our impassioned take on American Gin. Pot-distilled in small batches to articulate a deliberate blend of infused herbs, fruits, roots and flowers. An ode to our craft, this is an independent gin. "
TASTING NOTES: a floral leaning nose, with hints of spice and a touch of citrus. Bright and contemporary, with a touch of juniper nipping around the edges. Cinnamon bark prominent at first nose, growing into a lush cardamom led aroma. There’s a bit of bitter orange and citrus a bit deeper.
ABV: 43%
"Martini" Cocktail Recipe
(Recipe spec by Dutch Freds NYC)
INGREDIENTS:
3.5 oz gin
1 dash - homemade dry vermouth
1 dash - homemade citrus bitters
Lemon oils
Method: Stir on ice and pour into chilled coupe glass
Glass: Coupe
Garnish: Lemon peel
Recipe by
Beverage Director (Dutch Freds NYC)
Check out a Video of New York Cocktail Expo!
Video Credit: Bleu Fox Productions
Spirit Brands can register to participate in the Best Spirits in Cocktails Awards by sending info to nycocktailexpo@gmail.com
Bars should register to participate at the New York Cocktail Expo by clicking here.
For more, follow @nycocktailexpo on Instagram