Italians Love G&T—Here Are 4 Italian Gins to Try

Heading to an Italian bar, you’d expect to hear the word Negroni far more often than gin and tonic.

But, Italians love their G&Ts. It comes as no surprise that the star spirit of both cocktails may trace its roots back to Britain and Holland, but the Italian peninsula laid an ancient foundation for one of the most beloved spirits.

Instead of diving into the nitty gritty history, we’re heading straight for the bottles. The Italian peninsula is now home to small-production gins with major flair. Whether you prefer your Gin & Tonic in its staple highball glass or a Spanish copa, these Italian gins will give a little more amore to your usual G&T experience.

Del Professore

The team behind Jerry Thomas Speakeasy in Rome was already known for its cocktail witchcraft. But, then they decided to bottle it with Del Professore.

While it began with vermouth, Del Professore soon extended into the liquor’s notorious partner in crime: gin. There are 3 expressions: the Monsieur, à La Madame, and Old Tom Crocodile. Each performs well in a classic G&T with Italian bartenders revealing their unique characters in a classic G&T.

So, which is the best? It all depends on your palate. Of course, you must begin with the original, the Monsieur, adored for its floral finesse. For those who like tea and spice, go for the à La Madame. It undergoes a deeper infusion of botanicals, transforming it into a spicy and seductive elixir. Finally, if you prefer things more British – fresh and direct – the Old Tom Crocodile is your pick.

Engine Gin

Don’t be fooled by this gin’s gasoline can bottle – this spirit is far from petrol, though it is just as organic. Engine Gin is an Italian gin made with all organic ingredients, a witty culmination of two forward-thinking Italians paying homage to not one, but two, histories.

The first takes us inside the gin; apart from the prerequisite, juniper, this spirit sings of sage and Sicilian lemon, a nod to Italy’s long history of aromatizing liquors, cordials, and any digestif with these quintessential flavors. Then, there’s the gin’s gas can-like packaging that takes us state-side with the retro days of the 1970s, dominated by Dodge Challengers and Ford Gran Torinos.

The result is a gin just as attractive as it is on the shelf as it is in a gin and tonic. The simple, yet robust flavors of Engine gin shimmer in the bubbliness of a G&T. Serve it in a highball glass and let the simple ingredients do all the talking.

Malfy Gin Rosa

Who doesn’t love a pink drink? Malfy may already be a household Italian spirit these days, loved for its bubbly brand evoking the essence of the Amalfi Coast. Yet, it’s their Malfy Rosa that really embodies this character, awakened by a secret ingredient: grapefruit, and it’s anything but bitter.

Malfy Gin Rosa lights up a gin and tonic year-round with its gorgeous pink color and zesty character. The infusion of Sicilian grapefruit and Malfy’s signature gin ingredients (lemon, juniper grown by the sea, and fresh Piemontese spring water) sparkle when combined with bubbles, transporting bar guests to a seaside aperitivo in Positano.

Plus, when served in a Spanish-style copa glass with a sprig of rosemary, a Malfy Gin Rose is arguably the prettiest G&T at the bar.

Vallombrosa Gin

When you think gin, you may not think Tuscany,but you should. The juniper many use in their gin production is actually from this region, which has long been prized for its gorgeous vegetation, yielding some of the country’s best herbs, spices, and veggies.

Traveling to the province of Arezzo, we find Vallombrosa, a distillery producing a dry gin that evokes the earthy elements of Tuscany’s rich terroir. The gin is undoubtedly juniper forward, undergoing a three-month infusion with berries hand-harvested from the San Sepolcro and Pieve Santo Stefano hills. The finished gin gives London Dry a run for its money; Vallombrosa is pure with finessed aromatics that light up in the bubbles of good tonic water. All you are missing is ice and a highball glass, rosemary sprig, optional.

The post Italians Love G&T—Here Are 4 Italian Gins to Try appeared first on Chilled Magazine.