All About Drinks & Cocktails That Start With The Letter G
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The G list of cocktails is fraught with gin drinks, old-time classics, and a smattering of Martini varieties. From much-loved soldier drinks and even a pirate brew, the G drinks are a mixed bag of uber-strong drinks that could wake the dead. Do any of these cocktails sound appealing to you?
- Gibson
- Gigolo
- Gimlet
- Gin Fizz
- Gin Pahit
- Gin & Tonic
- Ginza Mary
- Glowtini
- Godfather
- Godmother
- Golden Dream
- Grasshopper
- Grateful Dead
- Greyhound
- Grog
- Gunfire
- The Final Letter
Gibson
Created in the late 1800s in San Francisco, the Gibson is a cultivated cocktail that’s unique in composition. Although this drink is traditionally made with gin, over the years, the recipe has evolved to include vodka as an acceptable substitution. In the late 1800s, when this drink was gaining popularity, it was customary to add a dash or two of bitters to the standard martini after which the Gibson was modeled. The Gibson, however, omits the bitters, calling only for dry vermouth. Like the standard Martini, the Gibson can be served straight-up in a martini glass or on the rocks. But the most surprising thing about the Gibson is its garnish; a Gibson is garnished with a cocktail onion or two!
Gigolo
Plucked from the menu of a garden bar in 2004, the Gigolo is a tasty, refreshing, and bubbly cocktail. The Gigolo, though light and delicious, takes a few more minutes than the average cocktail to make on account of its detailed process. The Gigolo is made by starting with muddled mint leaves and fresh lime juice which are shaken with vodka and apple juice and then strained into a champagne glass. Finally, the Gigolo is topped with cold, effervescent champagne and left ungarnished.
Gimlet
Once used as a preventative to deadly diseases, the Gimlet is a citrusy cocktail that was created sometime in the 19th century and popularized by British soldiers. The cocktail is packed with vitamin C, thus the belief that the Gimlet could fight off disease. A Gimlet is a gin drink served on the rocks with equal amounts of Rose’s Lime Juice and gin. A popular variation of this cocktail is the substitution of vodka for gin. The Gimlet is served in a rocks glass and garnished with a fresh lime squeeze.
Gin Fizz
Created in the late 1800s, the Gin Fizz hails from a New Orleans saloon where it was originally named the New Orleans Fizz. The Gin Fizz is citrusy, sweet, and creamy, creating an epic combination of flavors. This complex cocktail isn’t typically found on bar menus outside of the Big Easy, however, with the right ingredients, it can be easily made at home. Moreover, a Gin Fizz is made with gin, cream, fresh lemon and lime juices, simple syrup, club soda, orange blossom water, and an egg white. The makings of the Gin Fizz, except for the soda, are shaken in ice and strained into a collins glass before topping it with the soda; the Gin Fizz is left ungarnished.
Gin Pahit
The Gin Pahit is a cocktail that was historically made with pink gin and was popularized in Colonial Britain. Although it’s not a common libation these days, it was once very popular warranting its place on this list. A Gin Pahit is a Martini-style drink served straight-up; it’s made with gin and bitters, the latter of which gives the cocktail its pink hue. The components of this drink are cold shaken, strained into a martini glass, and garnished with a lemon twist.
Gin & Tonic
Though nothing more than the simple ingredients identified in this cocktail’s name, as one of the most popular G cocktails, it surely deserves a mention. The history of this cocktail dates back to the 1700s when it was popularly consumed by British soldiers to ward off disease. The quinine in the drink’s tonic component was said to combat malaria, however, gin was used to cut the bitter taste of the quinine. A Gin & Tonic is simply these two ingredients mixed over ice in a highball glass and garnished with a lime wedge.
Ginza Mary
The Ginza Mary is the Japanese spin on the Bloody Mary. Named for a city known for its nightlife, the Ginza Mary, like a Bloody Mary, is a tomato-based cocktail. Whereas a Bloody Mary calls for just vodka, the Ginza Mary adds sake to the vodka-tomato juice concoction. The Ginza Mary recipe also includes fresh lemon juice, a few dashes of hot sauce, and ground black pepper. For an additional Asian flair, the Ginza Mary also calls for a few dashes of soy sauce. The result of this Bloody Mary spinoff is an inherently Japanese flavor profile. Finally, the Ginza Mary is typically served in an old-fashioned glass.
Glowtini
A Glowtini, which is just what it sounds like, is a product of Disney. Leave it to Disney to mock up this fun and eclectic cocktail. The Glowtini is a glowing blue Martini that’s a real looker. The drink is both electric blue in color and electric in that it glows with the use of a light-up, faux ice cube. The Glowtini is made with citrus vodka, peach schnapps, blue curacao, and pineapple juice. The ingredients are shaken in ice and strained into a chilled martini glass. The beverage is subtly sweet and goes down smoothly.
Godfather
Though the origin of the Godfather is unclear, what is clear is that it hit bars in the 1970s shortly after the release of the Marlon Brando movie, “The Godfather.” The movie, which came out in 1972, is thought to be the inspiration for the cocktail’s name. The Godfather, like many drinks of the 70s, is strong and sweet. It’s made with equal parts scotch and amaretto. The drink is mixed over ice in a rocks glass; The Godfather is finished with a bright lemon twist.
Godmother
A spinoff of the Godfather, the Godmother is less strong and easier to drink than its counterpart. Easy to make and dignified in all regards, the Godmother is a mixed drink that blends vodka and amaretto as opposed to scotch and amaretto as the Godfather does. Undoubtedly, vodka is a less harsh flavor than the scotch. The Godmother is mixed over ice in a rocks glass and left ungarnished.
Golden Dream
Popular throughout the 60s and 70s, the Golden Dream originated in a Miami bar that has long since closed. The Golden Dream was made in honor of actress Joan Crawford. Like Crawford, the Golden Dream’s memory has faded. Nevertheless, a Golden Dream is a martini-style drink made of Galliano which gives it its golden hue, triple sec, orange juice, and cream. The ingredients are shaken over ice and strained into a martini glass. The orange flavors and cream give the Golden Dream a flavor that rivals the Creamsicle ice pop.
Grasshopper
Invented in 1918, especially for a mixology competition, the Grasshopper gets its name for the pale green hue of the finished drink. Popularized in New Orleans, the Grasshopper has been a mainstay on Big Easy drink menus ever since. Typically served as an after-dinner drink, the Grasshopper is sweet, creamy, and minty. It’s made with white creme de cacao, creme de menthe which gives the drink its green color, white creme de menthe, brandy, and cream. The drink is best served straight up in a champagne flute.
Grateful Dead
Named as a tribute to the American rock band, the Grateful Dead is a mixed drink that’s a derivative of the Long Island Iced Tea. A bit sweeter and more punch-like, the Grateful Dead is a strong cocktail that mixes tequila, vodka, gin, rum, and sour mix. Furthermore, instead of the triple sec that’s typically included in a Long Island Iced Tea, the Grateful Dead uses raspberry liqueur. Unlike the L.I.T., the Grateful Dead is not topped with soda. The The Grateful Dead is served over ice in a tulip glass.
Greyhound
The recipe for this drink was first featured in a 1930s cocktail book. Legend has it that the drink got its name for its popularity at Greyhound bus terminals. This fruity cocktail is a great brunch drink; it goes well with breakfast selections and is light and easy to drink. A Greyhound is simply made with vodka and grapefruit juice which is mixed over ice in a highball glass. A small grapefruit wedge is a perfect garnish for the Greyhound.
Grog
A Grog is an old-timey pirate drink that was once the Royal Navy’s signature cocktail. A Grog is not for the faint of heart; it’s strong and not cut with much more than water. A Grog is made with dark rum, water, brown sugar, and lime juice. The Grog is served over ice in a highball glass with a lime wedge.
Gunfire
The Gunfire is a caffeinated alcoholic beverage that has British origins. This ancient cocktail is a hot tea drink that was historically served over breakfast. The Gunfire is simply made with hot water, tea powder, and rum. The ingredients are stirred together in a footed mug and garnished with an orange twist. The Gunfire is strong yet comforting and perfect for spilling the proverbial tea over.
The Final Letter
Whether you’re in the market for light and breezy or hard and strong, the G drinks run the gamut. With a smattering that includes an electrified martini, an alcoholic hot tea, and a pirate cocktail that should be illegal, the G cocktails are a wild bunch. Bottoms up!
