Pink Gin is a cocktail endemic to the English people of the United Kingdom that had become somewhat of a style statement in the 19th century. The foundation of this beverage was laid by the Britishers. It consists of Plymouth gin, gentian, and a dash of ‘pink’, thereby making a reference to Angostura bitters. Angostura bitters is actually a dark and red derivative of gentian and spices. It is also known as Gin and Bitters and uses lemon rind to garnish and give it a unique flavour.
Origin of Pink Gin

Picture 1 – Pink Gin
Source – chow
The Pink Gin cocktail was actually a creation of the Royal Navy in the 1870s with an intention to make the gin more enjoyably bitter in taste. After the discovery of the curing qualities of Angostura bitters by Dr. Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert in 1824, it began to be used for treating sick sailors, especially the ones suffering from seasickness. With this discovery, he also formed the company by the name of House of Angostura so that the sailors can tide over the sickness in sea.
Pink Gin Ingredient
The ingredients required for preparing pink gin are two ounces of Plymouth Gin or Hendricks’s Gin and three drops of Angostura bitters. However, the amount of the ingredients may vary from one bar to another, depending on the bartender.
Pink Gin Recipe
The Pink Gin is prepared by pouring the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Ice cubes are put into the cocktail shaker and the preparation is stirred well. Then the preparation is stirred well and strained into a cocktail glass which becomes chilled. This is followed by the adding of a dash of Angostura bitters and a glass of Plymouth Gin. After this, the Pink Gin preparation is prepared and is ready to be served as a cocktail in a highball or martini glass.
Pink Gin Fizz
After the addition of bitters, the preparation is garnished with a slice or rind of lemon. This makes it acidic in nature but gives a sour flavour to the mixture. It is this blending of very many ingredients that give a unique colour and taste to the cocktail.
Pink Gin and Tonic
Pink Gin many a times is served as ‘Pink Gin and tonic’, which is usually a mixture of four dashes of Angostura bitters and 2 shots of gin. This preparation is topped with tonic water and makes a wonderful cocktail when garnished with lemon.
The Pink Gin Cocktail was also sometimes referred to as Gin Pahit in the initial years of its existence taking a cue from the Malay word ‘pahit’ meaning bitter. But the unique way in which it is prepared makes it a fabulous aperitif Martini, which is worth a try.
References :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Gin
http://www.esquire.com/drinks/pink-gin-drink-recipe#ixzz1OV6AAL2K
http://www.smallscreennetwork.com/video/220
http://www.greatcocktails.co.uk/PinkGin.html
http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink5900.html
http://www.cocktaildb.com/recipe_detail?id=4523
http://www.in-the-spirit.co.uk/cocktails/view_cocktail.php?id=209
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