When I think of gin, it brings me back to when I first started learning about spirits. A gin and tonic was my go-to drink, a safe choice on a large menu of cocktails that I knew very little about. It’s a simple drink that boasts good flavor and aromas with just a touch of citrus—very refreshing on a hot summer night.

Originally used for medicinal purposes, gin is made with juniper and other botanicals that are incorporated during the distillation process. There are a few different styles, including London Dry Gin, Plymouth Gin (which only can be produced by one particular distillery), Old Tom Gin, and Genever. Gin begins its journey by being distilled as a neutral spirit, and when it’s redistilled, juniper and a variety of other flavors, like angelica root, orris root, citrus peels and coriander seeds, are added to the process. As the alcohol vapors rise through the still, the botanicals mix to produce a spirit with floral aromas. The ratio can be adjusted as the distiller chooses, making each gin unique.

I enjoy tasting the spirit on its own to really understand the flavor and idea behind its creation. You could host a gin tasting with friends and see if everyone can pick out the various ingredients used. Once you do an initial tasting, have your mixers ready to see how the spirit is transformed with different flavor combinations.

If you enjoy using local products, try making your next gin and tonic with Pinckney Bend gin, produced right here in Missouri. Get creative with garnishes by switching out the normal lime slice for orange, rosemary or mint to complement the aroma of the beverage. Or, make a classic Negroni.

negroni 
1 oz. gin
1 oz. Campari liqueur
1 oz. sweet vermouth

» Mix ingredients with ice in a shaker, and strain into martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Justin Wolf is assistant restaurant manager at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis.