Surprising Ways to use Gin
We’ll be honest. Nine times out of ten, gin is happiest when it’s swimming in tonic with a slice of pink grapefruit. But what about that other time? Well, that’s when gin shows off its surprising side. From the kitchen to the garden (and even the cleaning cupboard), this little spirit is far more versatile than you’d think.
Here are some of our favourite ways to put gin to work when you’re not pouring it over ice.
1. In the Kitchen
- Cooking: A splash of gin in a marinade for salmon or chicken works wonders, while juniper and game are such good friends they should probably be in a cookbook together.
- Baking: Gin and tonic drizzle cake is now practically a national treasure. But gin also livens up sorbets, fruit jellies, and even a cheeky trifle.
2. Preserving Summer
Fruit + sugar + gin = magic. Blackberries, rhubarb, plums - pop them in a jar with gin and a bit of patience, and you’ll be rewarded with a rich, boozy infusion. Perfect on puddings, over ice cream, or just in a quiet glass when no one’s looking.
3. Cleaning (Yes, Really)
Got a bottle you wouldn’t dream of serving? Put it to work. Gin’s high alcohol content cuts through grease, shines up glass, and leaves your kitchen smelling faintly botanical. Who knew housework could be… uplifting?
4. Old-Fashioned Remedies
Back in the day, gin was practically sold as medicine (we wouldn’t recommend following their dosage…). While it’s no miracle cure, some still use a warm compress soaked in gin to ease aches, or a gin and herb steam to clear the head. At the very least, it smells nicer than Vicks.
5. In the Garden
Turns out, slugs and snails are not gin fans. A little diluted gin sprinkled around plants can keep them away. Just don’t go overboard, you want a garden, not a gin-pickled allotment.
6. Get Crafty
An empty Pickering’s bottle is far too handsome for the recycling bin. Candlesticks, lamps, vases, there’s no end to what you can make.
So next time you’ve got a bottle to hand, remember: gin isn’t only for drinking (though, frankly, that’s still its best party trick). Whether you’re cooking, cleaning, or crafting, there’s a whole world of gin beyond the glass.
