UNBELIEVABLE GIN !

And I was in for an additional surprise after I left the liquor store in Red Hook. When I boarded the Queen Mary 2 the next day to sail to England, I was astounded to found a very good selection of Gins on board, including Monkey 47. Needless to say, I adopted a steady diet of Monkey 47 martinis for the duration of the trans-Atlantic crossing.

And for the record, here is a listing of the botanicals in Monkey 47 according to Dave Broom’s book “Gin-The Manual”.

Juniper, Angelica, Coriander, Orris, Liquorice Root, Nutmeg, Cubeb, Clove, Cardamom, Cassia bark, Cinnamon, Grains of Paradise, Almond, Ginger, Sage, Lavender, Acacia Flower, Hibiscus, Bee Balm, Honey Suckle, Jasmine, Chamomile, Bramble leaves, Ligonberries, Spruce shoots, Pepper (6 types), Acacia Root, Calamus Root, Lemon Verbena, Lemon Balm, LemonGrass, Pomelo, Bitter Orange Peel, Kafffir Lime Leaf, Blackberry, Cranberry, Dog Rose, Elderflower, Hawthorne, Rosehips, Sloe Berry, Purple Shamrock.

Count ’em. Yep – there are 47.

Somehow, magically, they all tie together and the end result is pure goodness. If you can find Monkey 47 where you live, get it. Savor every drop….