Gin

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