FIRST JOURNEYS - A RACE AROUND THE WORLD 2020 - PIN 16 OF 23
PRINCIPE DE LOS APOSTOLES GIN, Argentina
AROUND THE WORLD, ONE BOTTLE AT A TIME.
PHILEAS FOGG WOULD SURELY APPROVE
Day 9 stop 2....
My virtual trip has almost got me all the way round the world, and this evening I am in the land of gauchos and the Tango. The reason I want to stop here is because I have noticed more and more mention of Yerba Maté as a gin botanical or a drink/cocktail mixer over the past couple of months and whether this is a new trend or not, I'm not sure, but it sparked my curiosity for research yet again.
I found some Tea Pigs Yerba Maté tea and tried this to educated myself on its taste, which is similar to a green tea. Maté also happens to be used in a common drink in Argentina called Tereré, which is made steeping the dried leaves with other herbs in iced water. The origins of the drink are in Paraguay, but it's commonly drunk across South America and like most teas, contains caffeine and with it many associated benefits.
But where does all this fit into gin? Well, one of the most celebrated and talented mixologists in Latin America came home to roost in Buenos Aires and opened a speakeasy beneath a flower and wine shop called Floreria Atlantico.
Tato Giovannoni's bar has featured as one of the top bars in the world and before long he put his genius to work and created several spirits, including a gin, inspired by his heritage; Botanicals in Apostoles include fresh maté leaves, eucalyptus, peppermint, pink grapefruit peel, juniper and coriander. There's a definite freshness in tasting this gin, with a soft and pleasant menthol taste. It's also incredibly smooth with a creamy mouthfeel. I wouldn't say its very juniper forward, so if resinous, piney flavours aren't your thing, then this one may be for you.
The perfect serve suggested on their website is a negroni, but as this is the first time I'm showcasing this gin on my page, I felt it appropriate to try and recreate one of the cocktails that was on the inaugural menu of his bar - the Cyn Tonic.
Now whilst I don't have any Cynar, I have used Amaro Montenegro, which is also Italian and of course added tonic. Although it has no significance and imparts no real flavour in the final product, it's a key ingredient in Cynar, so I've garnished my drink with a piece of artichoke! The recommended garnish is of course eucalyptus, which I don't have either and neither do I have any empanadas to enjoy with this drink! Totally failed on the food side today - sorry ginpals that have requested local food with these posts - lockdown problems!
50ml Apostoles, 25ml Amaro Montenegro, Stir on ice and top with tonic. Do try this one....it's delicious!
"From the land of empanadas and Yerba Mate"
"Show me a bottle
and I'll tell you a story."