Sneak Peek: Beefeater Winter

Get ready to kick your winter cocktail game up a notch with Beefeater London Dry's Winter Edition, coming to the U.S. in late November-early December, with an official launch in NYC on Dec. 6. Following the success of Beefeater's Summer Edition, Master Distiller Desmond Payne created this holiday-inspired gin featuring notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and pine shoots. Although I haven't tried it yet, if it's anything like Beefeater Summer, I know I'm in for a treat.

From the press release, Desmond says, “I wanted to create a gin that would enhance the traditional Beefeater recipe and make it even more suitable for hot punches and cocktails that are popular during the winter months. Beefeater Winter captures the familiar aromas of the season using a balanced combination of botanicals that are synonymous with that particular time of year.”

To get you in the holiday mood, here's a recipe for Winter Punch:

50ml Beefeater Winter Gin 100ml Madeira 10ml lemon juice 1 tsp honey 1 tsp brown sugar 1 pinch cinnamon (ground) 1 pinch nutmeg (ground) 1 clove lemon twist orange twist

In a saucepan, gently heat all ingredients—do not let the mixture boil. Decant into teacups or toddy cups and serve.

Announcing: Beefeater Summer Gin

With 80-degree weather coming our way for Derby Day tomorrow, everyone's thinking about seersucker suits and mint juleps served over crushed ice. As summer nears, I also start to dream of crisp, refreshing gin. And wouldn't you know it, Beefeater London Dry Gin is launching a limited-edition Summer Gin on June 2. Following the success of Beefeater 24, Master Distiller Desmond Payne created Beefeater Summer Gin to celebrate the season with prominent floral notes including elderflower, blackcurrant, and hibiscus.

"It has a slightly lighter characteristic," said Payne, who took a moment to speak with me by phone recently. "Beefeater 24 is aimed more at bartenders and for mixing in more high-end cocktails, while the Summer Gin is more for the consumer. Think summer parties and BBQs, and with pomegranate or cranberry juice, it makes a lovely long drink."

Payne, who has been making gin for 42 years, said he is "having a great time" experimenting with new varieties of Beefeater while upholding the classic method of distilling. "It's a chance to spread out a little bit, but very much in the Beefeater way," he said. "This is an interesting and exciting time for gin."