A New Gin-eration of Cocktail

Among the many fun activities we had going on last weekend for the Manhattan Cocktail Classic, we had the opportunity to pop in to the penthouse of the James Hotel in SoHo, where our very own Insider Alex Ott was mixing up some cocktails with New Amsterdam Gin. The day's takeaway--that gin is a spirit that can go with just about any ingredient (those of us in attendance tried to stump Ott but to no avail) was a welcome lesson for any cautious sort who cringes from experimentation. Among our favorite drinks was the New Amsterdam Sling (sorry, Singapore), the recipe which follows below:

1 1/2 oz. New Amsterdam Gin

1 oz. fresh-squeezed orange juice

2 1/2 oz. pineapple juice

1 pinch of ground ginger

Dash of lemon juice

Combine all ingredients, shake vigorously, and strain over an ice-filled highball or frappe glass. Garnish with an organge wheel or pineapple wedge.

Back Room Dealings

Lower East Side speakeasy The Back Room was the aptly chosen locale for an intense cocktail competition last evening, sponsored by New Amsterdam Gin. Gathering eight of the industry's best-known bloggers and web entrepreneurs (including New York Insider's own Thomas Farley), New Amsterdam challenged the contestants to create a gin cocktail with a New York backstory and ingredients to match--all in under ten minutes. Presided by master mixologist Alex Ott, the night's quick proceedings resulted in a varied and delicious group of cocktails, with ingredients from cayenne pepper to elderflower.

The entries (and recipes) follow ...

Green Market Smash (WINNING ENTRY)

1 ½ oz New Amsterdam Gin

½ oz liquified honey

½ oz elderflower liquer

6-8 basil leaves

1 oz orange juice

½ oz cranberry juice

Created by Selena Ricks, The Dizzy Fizz

The GINtrification

2 ½ oz New Amsterdam Gin

2 slices cucumber

2 wedges lemon

½ barspoon liquified honey

½ oz Elderflower liquer

2 dashes celery bitters

2 dashes rose water

1 oz orange juice

Created by Carmen Operetta, Libation Diaries

The Flight Delay

1 ½ oz New Amsterdam Gin

1 oz lemon juice

1 oz orange juice

¾ oz cherry juice

Splash of Crème de Violette

Created by Christa Vagnozzi, Martini Talk

Sweet Scoundrel

New Amsterdam Gin

Liquified honey

Cinnamon

Elderflower liquer

Orange juice

Splash of soda water

Created by Christopher Koulouris, Scallywag & Vagabond

Tropical Skyline

New Amsterdam Gin

Pineapple Juice

Lime juice

Elderflower liquer

Ground ginger

Lime garnish

Created by Yvonne Lee, Socially Superlative

Spicy Elixir

New Amsterdam Gin

Pineapple juice

Cayenne pepper

Ground nutmeg

Grape juice

Tonic water

Liquified honey

Created by Laura Lee, Socially Superlative

 “238”

1 ½ oz New Amsterdam Gin

¾ oz white cranberry juice

¾ oz seltzer

¾ tsp liquified honey

Pinch lavender sugar

Created by Erin Howard, YAY! DIY

The Pick-Up Artist

2 oz New Amsterdam Gin

3 oz orange juice

Dash cayenne pepper

Dash ground ginger

Created by Thomas Farley, New York Insider TV

We highly recommend you try these at home!

For photos of the cocktail creations and the party and judging in progress, click here.