The Bombay Crushed sometimes is referred to as something like the signature cocktail of Germany. This is certainly an interesting fact I wasn’t aware of for quite a long time, but it really seems that outside the borders of this country the drink is farely unknown or at least less common. You’ll be lucky if you find a bartender who instantly knows the recipe or even features the drink in the menu of her/his bar.

Nonetheless it is an absolutely delicious cocktail that certainly has led to a rise in the number of sales of kumquat fruits. Kumquats actually are – as I know now – no real citrus fruits despite of seemingly fulfilling all characteristics (at least for me as a layman) but build up their own separate subfamily inside the family of Rutaceae. Well Botany or not, with that said the Bombay Crushed is certainly not just something like a national signature cocktail, but certainly also the signature drink of the kumquat.

The first time I got to know about the Bombay Crushed was some years ago in a bar in Berlin, where my wife has ordered one of them. I guess it was in the context of a promotion event of Bombay Sapphire Gin (obviously the eponymous spirit). It’s now been several years since. The Bombay Crushed harmoniously blends the acid of kumquats with the caramel flavors of brown sugar and the tangy freshness of lime juice, which in combination with the floral aromas of a good gin result in a real outstanding cocktail that – I bet on it – also tastes great outside of Germany. Like the Caipirinha cocktail this drink is based on the principle of the Batidas.

Recipe:

6 cl Gin
a handful of kumquats
juice of the quarter of a lime
3 bar spoons of brown sugar

Preparation:

First halve kumquats and mash in the shaker together with brown sugar. Then add the gin and lime juice and shake vigorously with ice cubes. Without straining, pour the entire content into your glass and your Bombay Crushed is ready!

Glass: Tumbler (often larger variations are used, but nonetheless I have used a small one, although you will find this less often in German bars)

Garnish: none

Buying sources: Kumquats can usually be found in the fruits section of well-stocked supermarkets or at weekly markets. The rest of the ingredients should be available in most supermarkets without any problems.