David Wondrich is the co-founder of the Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans. Gin is a distilled spirit flavored with botanicals. Gin, and it's relative, Genever, is frequently flavored with juniper berries. Orris root, anise, coriander and cassia bark are also used.
The French 75
From Vintage Spirits and Forgotton Cocktails by Ted Haigh
2 oz gin
1 oz lemon juice
2 tsps sugar or 1 tsp simple syrup
Champagne
Shake in an iced cocktail shaker.
Pour the gin, lemon juice, and sugar into a tall glass (a collins glass, a zombie glass, or a champagne flute will do).
Top with champagne. Stir gently and garnish with a long, thing lemon spiral and a cocktail sherry.
Classic Dry Martini
In a shaker combine:
2 oz Gin
1/8 to 1/4 oz dry white vermouth (to taste)
Ice to fill
Shake and strain and into a Martini glass, or a short glass. Garnish with an olive.
Gin & Tonic
Fill a tall glass with ice. Add:
1 1/2 oz Gin
Tonic water to fill
Garnish with a lime slice.
Music Break: El Cumbanchero by Don Swan