Rosemary Peppercorn Cocktail Syrup & Rosemary Gin Fizz – A Toast to Romance

As the season of love blossoms, the air fills with the sweet anticipation of Valentine’s Day – a time to celebrate the bond we share with our significant other. Amidst the classic gifts of chocolates and roses, why not elevate your romantic evening with a concoction that symbolises the depth and spice of your relationship? Enter the enchanting world of the Rosemary Gin Fizz, a cocktail that intertwines the warmth of love with the zest of togetherness.

Rosemary Peppercorn Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is a kitchen and bar staple. I always have a bottle of simple syrup in my fridge handy to make a quick drink or cocktail. With a 1:1 ratio of water to sugar, the recipe certainly is simple but the beauty lies in the many versions one can create from it. Rosemary is herbaceous and earthy with a hint of citrus. The addition of peppercorns to the syrup really brings out the naturally peppery notes of rosemary as well. This herb lends itself well to sweet and savoury dishes but is also quite popular in cocktails and drinks.

Equipment

The Wonderchef Nigella Tri-Ply 14cm pan is my go to saucepan for everyday jobs in the kitchen. Since the tri-ply coating can withstand high heat, it’s perfect for most Indian recipes. The Nigella series features a thick aluminium core that is sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel which allows the pan to heat evenly and quickly. You won’t find any uneven hotspots with this series! The Nigella Saucepan is available in 2.2, 1.5 and 1.2 litre versions.The small saucepan is ideal for caramels and syrups.

A stellar cocktail experience isn’t just about the taste; presentation plays a big role too! Wonderchef’s Home and Living section has a great range of glasses that add a touch of sophistication to your home. My personal favourite is the Modena Range which has an array of great quality whiskey, champagne, wine and beer glasses. Beyond elevating your own home bar, these glasses make for exceptional gifts. This season of gifting, delight your friends and family with elegant glassware that will promise to elevate their drinking experience.

This zesty, herby cocktail is not just a drink – it’s a celebration in a glass that will help you celebrate the Valentine’s in style. As you indulge in this wonderful cocktail, consider sharing the love by gifting jars of this delicious homemade syrup to your loved ones. Perhaps their Christmas gift can be a set of these beautiful Modena Highball Glass Set of 6 and their very own jar of rosemary peppercorn syrup!

RECIPE CARD

Makes: 1 cup of syrup
Time: 5 minutes active + max 1 hour steeping time

Ingredients:

1 Cup White Sugar
1 Cup Water
3-4 Sprigs Rosemary (about 8-10g)
1 tsp Black peppercorn

For the Cockatil (Serves 2)

120ml Gin
60 ml Rosemary Peppercorn Syrup 
Tonic Water to Top
Garnish: Lemon & Rosemary Sprigs

Method:

1. Place the Nigella Saucepan on medium heat and add the water and sugar to it.
2. Add the rosemary and peppercorns to the pan.
3. Allow the mix to come to a boil all the while swirling the pan around until all the sugar has dissolved.
4. Once the mix begins to boil, lower the temperature and let it boil for a minute or two.
5. Take the pan off heat and allow the syrup to infuse for 30 minutes to an hour.
6. Transfer to a bottle and store in the fridge.

For the cocktail

1. Split the gin and syrup between two glasses.
2. Top with chilled tonic water as needed. Taste and add more syrup if you like.
3. Garnish with lemon and rosemary.
4. Serve.