Dandelion in the sky - Hendrick's Lunar Gin

If there is one gin-brand that you could label as ‘iconic’, it must be Hendrick’s. This is the brand that ignited the gin hype with a cucumber and rose petal flavored gin. 

A few weeks ago they officially launched Hendrick’s Lunar Gin in our country. A new bottling with a slightly altered profile. This Limited Edition created by Master Distiller Lesley Gracie is full bodied and floral with a refined and herbal tail. The citrus works as a carrier to bring you the right experience. This gin is created to be enjoyed with Indian tonic or even ginger-ale. The typical cucumber garnish still works, but also black peppercorns could be nice. 

The official online launch event with Olga Leyers wasn’t really my stylish cup of Hendrick’s tea… but the gin and the cocktail suggestions inspired me to try an out-of-the-box recipe. What if I started from a recipe which is initially meant for Bourbon… and play with that until it’s just right for this gin. 

There are two ways to make an Old Fashioned. The right way (spirit, sugar and bitters) and the wrong or messy way (first muddling a slice of orange and a cherry in the glass). Yes, that second way is also a real option that was used throughout history. Never seen an episode of ‘Mad Men’? 

Normally I wouldn’t dream of doing that messy stuff, but by dissolving a spoon of marmalade in your drink, you’ll get that same extra fruity note. 

The dandelion marmalade was homemade by my foodblogging wife. The flowers were handpicked by my daughter ‘in the wild’… at a place where people don’t walk their dogs 😉. Of course I also made sure to have an ‘easy alternative’. 

Location, location, location… Just for once I didn’t mix this drink in my homebar. This shoot was done COVID-proof at ‘Paal 26’, a brasserie close to the highway where the bartenders really love Hendrick’s Gin. Manager Kristoff is a real cocktail-enthusiast, so this shoot could lead to more tasty projects together. Thanks for inviting me behind your bar !

“Dandelion in the sky”
Old Fashioned

Ingredients
50 ml Hendrick’s Lunar gin
7,5 ml Simple Syrup
1 dash of Angostura Aromatical Bitters
1 dash of Angostura Orange bitters
1 barspoon of Dandelion marmalade

Method
You might be tempted to shake this drink instead of stirring, because of the marmalade. But actually that really doesn’t seem to work. You can stir this one directly in your tumbler, or in a mixing glass. 

Add the marmalade, sugar and bitters. Add a tiny splash of water if needed. Muddle the marmalade to get it liquid again, so it will mix better with the gin. Add gin and ice cubes. Stir for 15 seconds. Garnish with orange peel or a dehydrated orange wheel. Don’t use a cocktail cherry, it works well with bourbon but it’s no winner with gin.  

Dandelion Marmalade Recipe

Ingredients
200 Dandelion flowers
1 pack of jam sugar (2 Kg fruit for 1 Kg sugar)
Juice of 1 orange
Juice of 1 lemon
900 ml water

Method
We only need the small yellow petals from the flowers. Pick them by hand and add to a pan with the orange and lemon juice. Add water until everything is under the surface (For us it was +- 900 ml.). Bring to the boil for 5 minutes. Cover and let it rest for 24 hours. 

Strain through a cheese cloth and mix the liquid with the jam sugar. Bring to the boil again and stir for the time mentioned on the pack of sugar. Pour the jam in sterilized marmalade jars. Close and let them cool down. 

Easy alternative : “Orange Moon” Old Fashioned

If you can’t make or find dandelion marmalade I would suggest to use a good quality orange marmalade instead. You can buy a jar of orange marmalade in any supermarket. But to keep the cocktail clean, I would stir it in a mixing glass and fine strain into your tumbler to remove the pieces of zest. 

Disclaimer : All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.