A delicious gin with an amazing cause
Recently, Gray Whale Gin hosted an intimate event for guests to try out some of their signature cocktails ahead of World Oceans Day and World Gin Day. The event was hosted at the beautiful Panorama Room in Roosevelt Island that had beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline. Founders Jan and Marsh Mokhtari hosted guests and walked them through some of the delicious notes found in their gin as well as sharing their story on how they created this gin. The event featured signature Gray Whale Gin cocktails such as the Oceanside, Beachside, and Coastal Tides which you can find the recipes below.
Upon talking to Jan and Marsh, we found out that this gin uses a special ingredient that not many gins use, almonds. The reason is because Jan and Marsh live in the West Coast and wanted to source ingredients that were local to them, one of which being almonds. This addition adds a wonderful depth of flavor while also cutting through the intense juniper berry flavor that you find in most other gins. This allows for Gray Whale to be perfect to sip straight or a great base for a cocktail or martini. And after trying these cocktails, Jan and Marsh shared their story of how this gin came to be. After having a “mid-life crisis,” they decided to start a business that had meaning to them. Being both gin lovers and ocean lovers, the idea came to them quickly and they dove into the business both feet in. And with that, Gray Whale Gin was founded on the principle that a consciously craft spirit can make a difference and positively impact the Earth. With that, they have committed to the cornerstone principle that with every purchase, they will give back 1% for the Planet and Oceana, the largest organization in the world devoted to ocean conservation. And in less than 5 years, they have already helped make legislative change which will permanently protect the oceans off the West Coast.
With such an important mission and with an incredibly delicious gin, it is no surprise that Gray Whale Gin is doing so well and had become one of our favorite gins to drink. Check out their website here and try out some of their signature cocktails which you can find below.
Oceanside
Ingredients:
- 2oz Gray Whale Gin
- 0.75oz salted simple syrup
- 0.75oz lime juice
- 6 mint leaves
- Soda water
- Garnish: mint sprig
Method:
- To make Salted Simple Syrup, combine 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, and 1 tsp. salt in a saucepan. Heat until sugar and salt are fully dissolved.
- To make the Oceanside, add all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake for 3-4 seconds. Strain into a collins glass over fresh ice. Top with soda water and garnish with mint sprig.
- Add fresh mint.
Beachside
Ingredients:
- 1.5oz Gray Whale Gin
- 1.5oz pineapple
- 1oz Cream of Coconut squeeze
- 0.5oz fresh lemon juice
- Handful of mint
- Garnish: mint sprig
Method:
- Shake all ingredients together with ice. Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice and garnish with mint.
Coastal Tides
Ingredients:
- 2oz Gray Whale Gin
- 1.5oz coconut water
- 1oz lavender syrup
- 0.75oz fresh lemon juice
- Garnish: lemon wheel
Method:
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake for 3-4 seconds and strain over fresh ice. Top with lemon wheel.