Illusionist Gin Infused with White Peach and Basil
Happy weekend everyone! You made it! Do you have last minute friends coming over or a drink is needed pronto simply to wash away the stress of the week? Here’s a little something special that will have you welcoming guests without a drop of sweat and allowing them to feel a million bucks.
Illusionist Gin. Welcome to the world and meet those hands and mouth that you will forever touch and change. Although being somewhat new to the distillery and production game, Illusionist Gin is paving the way to create an every changing and transforming product that bridges the gap between seeing beverages and the food scene as two distinct and cellular forms. We often over look how alcohol is processed and the connections between liquor and flavours imparted within. Is it because we choose to focus on the finished product rather than the process of the distilling as the main factor which alters and evolves what you end up tasting?
Illusionist Gin seeks to draw attention to the flavours within their gin and the sourcing of such ingredients. Do you know where the star anise or lavender or rosemary or any other ingredient within your last drink, came from? Was it bio, organic, ingredients sourced from a local farmer surrounding the distillery or ones rooted within the soils half a world away? With every 16 flavours that pass through the Illusionist Gin product, have been systematically and fanatically sourced, noted, traced and shared. Their purpose in doing this generates and allows for greater knowledge and connection to what goes into bottles and thus, the consumers mouths. This is the product of how they developed the aim of Illusionist Gin; to draw the world of beverages or liquor with the fine aspects of the culinary scene. There will always be an element of excitement in tasting their gin because it is solely reliant on the individual and also the individual’s state of mind, mood and palate to draw out different elements within the product.
“Illusionist Dry Gin combines influences from around the world. Floral. Fruity. Unexpected. An “unfiltered” gin, composed of earthy-warm nutmeg shells, citrus elements and blended with liquorice roots. A total of 16 botanicals combine to deliver a smooth and unobtrusive taste despite the 45% alcohol content. All botanicals are organic, including the raw alcohol, making the Illusionist Dry Gin wholly certified organic. “
I have missed out on an element that some what blankets these 16 multi-cultural flavours. It is in fact the ingredient that has the power to illuminate the normally clear gin to a tropical island style blue. As the team at Illusionist put it “…is a mysterious flower from the far east. Not only does it bring harmony to the Illusionist Dry Gin with its tender and nutty aroma, but it is also the source for the gin’s defining blue hue. Given its natural attributes, the blue colouration undergoes a transformation when blended with acidic fruity mixers, making it a spectacle to witness at home, in a bar, or wherever you decide to enjoy it. “
To read more and see the exact locations and sourcing of the 16 flavour elements visit their website and learn more about them and their philosophy.
We must touch on the power of infusing because it is truely astounding. Without any fancy or messy blitzing, boiling, whisking, sifting or pulsing you can take an aromatic gin from its original form to an all encompassing summer vacation with only the power of two very accessibly and readily available ingredients. Incorporating summer flavours into drinks really intertwines beverages into the food culture which brings us back to one of the core philosophies and concepts within the Illusionist brand.
Based on the time of year and many people’s desire to venture to that far off tropical island to sip Pina coladas on the beach, basil and white peach generate as close a representation of that summer feeling. Also the combination of a more subtle flavour within the peach is really complimented by the more dominant and powerful herb notes within the basil. If these ingredients are not to your liking, replace the basil with your beloved herb as well as slices of plum, berries or apricot. Play around, have some fun. Drinking is not only relaxing for the end of a week but also is very liberating and entertaining to experiment with.
If getting your hands dirty and playing trial-and-error doesn’t seem like your kind of mood, never fear. Stick by the books. You can’t go wrong with this infusion of basil and white peach into a well rounded and multilayered gin. If you have those friends coming over this weekend, you may start with a few guests but you’ll attract many more. So, a little heads up, make a double batch then you won’t have to disappoint.
Illusionist Gin Infused with White Peach and Basil
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, plus extra for serving
2 ripe white peaches, cut into segments
2 cup Illusionist Gin
Tonic for serving (optional)
Method
In a large jar or sealable container, place the Illusionist Gin along with the cut peaches. Seal and leave in the fridge overnight.
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water and basil on medium heat. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-8 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool in a jar.
To serve, place one tablespoon of the basil simple syrup at the bottom of a cocktail glass and top with the chilled 4cL or 40mL of Illusionist peach gin. If you wish to create a long drink, top with tonic water. Finish with peach slices and fresh basil leaves.
