Brooklyn Gin
Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Craft Works
Distiller Details
Brooklyn Craft Works
Brooklyn, NY
Website Facebook TwitterAwards & Recognition
- 2011 Silver Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition Award
Where to Buy
THL: What is it?
Brooklyn Gin is distilled with locally sourced fresh berries and citrus peels.
THL: Why should you try it?
Founder Joe Santos has his hands in every part of the process of crafting his award-winning Brooklyn Gin, a tribute to the resurrected Brooklyn Distilling Company.
Brooklyn Craft Works cut, pulps and peels all of their citrus fruit by hand, and source many of their botanicals from local farmers. Santos was inspired by the DIY movement taking place within Brooklyn, and decided to leave his corporate marketing job to pursue his passion. The company is still small, but growing steadily. Santos plans to find his own space for the distillery, but in the meantime he rents a copper pot still in Warwick, New York. He sources his fruits from Brooklyn proper, and hand delivers every bottle to several chic cocktail bars throughout the city.
THL: Who makes it?
The Brooklyn Distilling Company was founded in 1895 but closed shortly after due to the impact of Prohibition. Angel “Joe” Santos revived the brand and partnered with Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery in Warwick, New York, where their gin is distilled in a copper pot still. Many of the ingredients are sourced locally, and each bottle is labelled by hand.
THL: What does it taste like?
The inclusion of five fresh citrus peels places Brooklyn gin firmly in the citrus-forward camp of New World gins. The hand-cracked juniper berries come through in a clean and spicy finish.
THL: How should you drink it?
Brooklyn Gin recommends infusing their spirit with earl grey tea and making your own puree into Brooklyn Gin Punch. It's sure to impress at your next house party.
Brooklyn Gin Punch
1 bottle of Brooklyn Gin infused with earl grey tea
12 ounces agave syrup
12 ounces pear purée
20 ounces water
10 ounces lemon juice
Nutmeg
"Pour the gin into another container (e.g. a pitcher) and add 3 tea bags of earl grey tea. Stir/shake occasionally for 20 mins and take the tea bags out. Taste along the way. If you feel it’s getting too bitter for you, take the tea bags out. Pour the infused BG into a punch bowl. Add all other ingredients (except the nutmeg) and stir. Add some ice to the bowl. To serve, add some ice to a glass, pour punch in glass, and sprinkle some ground nutmeg on the top.
Pear purée is a little harder to find, but you can also make it. Buy 6 pears. Peel and core. Toss in a blender. Add some water and purée.
Lemon juice. Don’t use lemon juice concentrate. Buy a dozen lemons and squeeze them."
