This is one of my favorite Galliano cocktails. Gin and Galliano Liqueur, lemon juice, and a little simple syrup. This cocktails combo of Galliano and gin couldn’t be simpler. It’s a nice spin on a Gin Sour, yet the flavors and the beautiful color of Galliano make for one gorgeous cocktail.
Originally, I combined the gin and Galliano as a Martini, no sugar, and only a whisper of lemon. The slight anise flavor of the Galliano is very complimentary to an herbaceous gin, making this one of my favorite Galliano drink recipes. If you were to serve this as a Martini, I would still serve it on the rocks, but that’s just me, I always prefer my Martinis on the rocks.
Never Shake Gin Cocktails
Gin has an interesting similarity with red wine and aeration. I’ll use this as an example of why never to shake gin. We are all familiar with the practice of letting red wine ‘breathe’. Decanting red wine, swirling the wine in the glass, and exposing it to oxygen for a short time will soften the flavors. This allows some of the more volatile aromas to escape and release the more pleasant fruit and oak aromas in the wine. However, if allowed to breathe for too long the finer subtle qualities of the wine will not only disappear but eventually, the wine turns to vinegar.
Gin is very similar to red wine in this matter. Shaking gin accelerates the breathing process exponentially.
Gin has a complex mixture of aromas divided into three parts; top notes, middle notes, and base notes. With gin, the most desirable qualities are in the top note. All of the botanicals: juniper, pine, fruit, spice, and floral are top notes. Unfortunately, when gin has been agitated by shaking, the top notes are the first to go. Leaving only the less desirable middle and base notes. Bruising the gin won’t turn it to vinegar, but it will leave the gin dull and lifeless. All of the amazing botanicals that are so desirable lost to the inside of a cocktail shaker.
You should give both the Gin & Galliano Sour and the Martini version a try. Both of these Galliano cocktails are amazing, it’s that subtle difference of a little sugar that sets them apart.
Here is my recipe for a Gin & Galliano Sour:
Gin & Galliano Sour
Ingredients
- 2 Ounces Gin
- 1/2 Ounce Galliano Liqueur
- 1/2 Ounce Simple Syrup Omit for Martini version
- 1/2 Ounce Lemon Juice Half that for a Martini
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker, stir until ice cold
- Serve on the rocks in an old fashioned glass with a slice of lemon
Matt Parker
Delicious! Love the color, my favorite Galliano cocktail recipe!