Gin, hey.

Slowly but surely, the juniper-infused alcohol has risen in stature, from an occasional grandmother’s tipple to a grand-night-out staple.

On those nights on the town, depending on where you find yourself ordering a drink, you might get served a straight up gin and tonic, or an elaborate cocktail with a quirky name like “heart” or “love”.

The latter, infused with a range of crushed herb combinations, takes precious time to create and, by the time it has been served, you could have smashed it and ordered another.

Damn them fancy mixologists.

So we’re saying a big F-U to these elaborate cocktails, with the stirring and crushing and shaking, finished off with swizzle sticks and a thousand garnishes.

This video, comparing a 2005 G&T and a 2015 G&T, just about sums it all up:

The bit where he lights the garnish on fire hits the nail on the head. It’s a drink, man, send it my way.

Here we are in 2018, though, and thankfully the game has evolved since then. No longer do you need to watch on in horror at some elaborate song and dance, with the end game of sipping on a tasty Gin.

Rather, bottles of gin, like those from Cape Town Gin & Spirits Co., already come maxed out with all the flavours you need to drink in style.

Whether you’re down for some rooibos or rose petals, their refined range of gin, infused with natural botanicals, will sort you out in no time.

Here’s what you can choose from:

Cape Town Classic Dry Gin

Voted the best South African Gin in the London Dry category at the 2017 World Drinks Awards.

Paying homage to the first Gins made in Holland and England over 150 years ago, when Juniper berries were the predominant flavour, this Dry Gin is a well-made, carefully balanced spirit with rich botanicals dominated by Juniper, punchy citrus notes and a hint of herbs and wild flowers.

Best served: As a classic Martini or as a long drink with fresh cucumber, mint and Tonic water.

Cape Town Pink Lady Gin

Named after the Mount Nelson Hotel in the heart of Cape Town, affectionately known as “The Pink Lady” or “The Nellie”, the Cape Town Pink Lady is still takealot.com’s best selling liquor.

And we’re not surprised: it’s a delightful Gin, infused with Hibiscus flowers and Rose petals, and a heavenly hint of Rose water. Fresh floral aromas on the nose, with rose and Turkish delight on the palate.

Best served: With lots of ice, fresh strawberries and tonic water as a long drink or as a Classic Pink Lady Martini.

Cape Town Rooibos Red Gin

Voted the best South African Gin in the Contemporary category at the 2017 World Drinks Awards.

Infused with organic, handpicked Rooibos to extract the essence of this plant, indigenous to the Cederberg region of the Western Cape, there’s also a hint of Juniper, orange peel and cinnamon flavours combine harmoniously with the earthy, slightly sweet and nutty flavour of Rooibos. The result? A unique and truly South African Gin, vibrantly red in colour with the distinctive taste of Rooibos.

Best served: As a sipping Gin in a tumbler glass with freshly squeezed lime and ice or with Cranberry juice and Ginger Ale as a long drink.

Sounds a million times better than getting someone else to make a drink that will most likely disappoint you, don’t they? Especially if you tend to have a heavy hand, or light elbow.

Available from these stockists, get your own, preferred bottle of gin and cut that bearded, tattooed garnish swizzler out of the picture for good.

Cheers.

[source:timeslive]