Colour me red!

What is it about ruby red liquid, twirling in a pretty glass with ice cubes clanking around a whirl of bubbles? The gin revival is huge the world over and a gin sling is a fresh new take on a gin cocktail. Infused with pomegranate juice, this zingy crimson concoction sure ticks all the boxes.

Pomegranate Gin Sling

• ½ cup pomegranate juice
• ¼ cup gin
• 1- 1½ tbsp sugar syrup
• 1 – 2 tsp lemon juice
• 2 slices of lemon or 2 curls of orange peel
• 10-15 pomegranate seeds for garnishing

Method

• Use a glass jug to combine the pomegranate juice, sugar syrup, lemon juice and gin. Begin by adding a little less of the syrup and lemon juice, then later add more if needed.
• Drop some ice cubes into two tall glasses.
• Pour the liquid into them, followed by a curl of peel.
• Alternatively you can float a slice of lemon into it.
• Scatter some pomegranate seeds into each glass.
• Cheers!

Note: To make a simple syrup, boil 2 parts sugar with one part water till thickened. Cool and use as per your requirement. Here’s a neat trick. To freeze ice cubes, replace ordinary water with tonic water. You will be surprised how it ‘lifts the spirits’!

(Nijhowne is a Chandigarh-based culinary expert)