I love gin martinis. I love the process of making them, chilling the glass, the slow pour, shaking (not stirred) and the strain into the frosty martini glass. I love how the condensation on the outside makes the olive look like a jewel floating at the bottom. I love talking and gesturing with a martini glass in hand, it makes me feel like an old movie star holding court at a swank party. Most of all I love sipping martinis, the way the cool juniper plays against the heady herbals and the bite of alcohol. I love the intense saltiness of the gin soaked olive after the piney juniper taste.
I actually didn't think it was possible to love gin martinis any more than I already did, until I tried one made with Hendrick's gin. It is brewed in Scotland and infused with roses, cucumber, lemon peel and coriander- unexpected additions to say the least, but very worthwhile. The rose is very prominent in the smell and aftertaste of the gin, giving a lovely floral perfume to the harsh alcohol and juniper aroma. The cucumber adds a subtle coolness to the drink and especially complementing the saltiness of the olive. The lemon and coriander bring a citrus spiciness to the herbal tastes of the drink, providing a sharp counterpoint to the florals brought by the roses and herbs.
Overall this gin gives a martini an interesting, unexpected shake. It adds the beautiful smell of roses and the coolness of cucumber without compromising the basics of the martini. The drink still has all its traditional charm but with added pizzaz.