Gin is an exciting and diverse spirit. There are many sub-categories of gin that offer a great choice of flavors and tastes. One of the most prominent categories is Navy Strength.
Navy Strength Gin is an intense but smooth gin that makes delicious cocktails. If you still don't have a bottle of Navy Strength in your drinks cabinet, then you should probably do that. Keep on reading and discover more about this delicious spirit.
What is Navy Strength Gin?
Navy Strength gin is a more boozy version of the London Dry gin. The first bottles of Navy Strength appeared in the 18th century. The Royal Navy legislated that there should be a gin on the vessel and the sailors had the gin ration. Back then, gin was appreciated for its medicinal purposes and considered helping in fighting illness and diseases. However, the quality of libation was a matter of argument. There were issuers with the strength of the gin, sometimes the spirit was too watery. Sailors were not stupid and they didn't want to pay for the overcharged low-quality tipple. So, they created a way to check if their gin is high-proof.
Gin was tested by mixing it with a small amount of gunpowder and lighting a mixture using the sunray and magnifying glass. A smoky flame or failure to burn were the bad signs. That meant that the gin was below the required strength. If gin burned, then the spirit was of sufficient standard, that is at least 57% ABV. Good to go!
How to Drink Navy Strength Gin?
Navy Strength Gin is delicious sipped neat over ice and with a splash of nice tonic and a lime wheel. or in a range of cocktails. Navy Strength Gin also works fantastic in gin cocktails as it maintains its gin character even in small quantities.
Here are our favorite drinks that work match-nificent with Navy Strength Gin.
Gin Fizz is a classical highball mixed drink. It is easy to make and incredibly refreshing.
Ingredients:
- Brighton Gin Seaside Navy Strength — 50ml.
- Lemon juice — 25ml.
- Sugar syrup — 2 tsp.
- Ice
- Sparkling water
- Slice of lemon
Making:
Fill the shaker with ice cubes, then add the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup. Shake it well and then strain into a tall glass filled with ice and pour a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with lemon. You are ready to go!
Gimlet is another classic tipple featuring gin and lime juice. Tastes amazing in the summertime!
Ingredients:
- Conker Navy Strength Gin — 45ml
- Freshly squeezed lime juice — 20ml
- Sugar syrup — 10ml
- Lime wheel
Making:
Pour gin, syrup and juice into a shaker filled with ice. Shake until it's chilled. Then strain the liquid into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with lime. Cheers to Navy Strength Gin!
Best Navy Gins to Try
We want to help you to make the best pour decision and choose delicious bottles of Navy Strength.
Conker Navy Strength Gin is distilled in honor of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. For every bottle you buy, they give £5 to the RNLI.
Enjoy heavy juniper notes, followed by citrus aromas, and punctuated perfectly with a herbaceous jammy sweetness from marsh samphire, elderberries.
Upfront juniper pine and a warm savory spice are paired in equal measure with the herbaceous sweetness of orange and dark-blue fruits of elderberry. The finish is long and lingering, with a nice warming heat.
Brighton Gin Seaside Navy Strength is a delicious tipple with leading juniper flavors harmonizing with citrus notes along with hints of pine and spice. It took them 2 years to develop the perfect formula and we think that they succeeded. The spirit is rich and creamy in the mouth, with no hints of burn. The finish is long and citrusy.
Serve it neat over ice or mix it with your favorite tonic and a slice of lime. Each bottle of Brighton gin is filled, waxed and labeled by hand. A nice gift idea for your special person who is a big fan of gin.