After having been out for a few days without time for blogging, today’s article is about a beer cocktail that I really like. I have always been pleased with it and it tastes absolutely excellent! It is a drink that has quite classic roots: it is derived from the King of Cocktails, the Martini.

The Good for the Gander is a cocktail that has taken up much of the flavor profile of a Martini but not without modifying it more or less crucially. It has gin, it has vermouth, but it also has a little bit more: India Pale Ale and St. Germain elderflower liqueur. This may sound a little unusual at first. But it works absolutely great, thus offering an interesting enhancement to the crisp and herbal soul of the Martini. The bitter notes of hops harmonize beautifully with vermouth and gin and by adding St. Germain to the mixture, the Good for the Gander cocktail even has a very delicate sweetness also suited for people that think of the classic martini as too strong or bitter. But if you are a friend of the “King of Cocktails” and find yourself in an experimental mood: The Good for the Gander is definitely worth more than a try!

I found out about this drink thanks to the book Cocktailian “Beer & Craft Beer”. The Good for the Gander was originally created in 2012 in the mixing glass of Ervin Trykowski in the Finnieston Bar in Glasgow. Given that the intention behind the cocktail was to serve a drink that tastes both women and men, Trykowski named the drink after an old Scottish proverb: “What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander”, which in the meantime is often said as “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander”.

Because of the name of the drink I opted for a Scottish gin, the Eden Mill Love Gin, which I will present here in the coming days. Besides that, I simply had to use Goose Island IPA; guess the ganders on that island will also favour that.

Recipe:

3 cl Gin (for instance Eden Mill Love Gin)
3 cl dry vermouth (classic: Noilly Prat or another)
1.5 cl St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
3 cl India Pale Ale

Preparation: First, stir the IPA in a mixing glass until the carbon dioxide has largely disappeared. Then add the remaining ingredients and some ice cubes to the mixing glass and stir the drink until cold. Strain into your chilled glass.

Glass: Martini

Garnish: grapefruit zest

Buying sources: In well-stocked supermarkets you can probably find all the ingredients. Otherwise you’ll have to visit a specialized trader.