Wine is like sex in that few men will admit not knowing all about it.

Hugh Johnson

The proper behavior all through the holiday season is to be drunk. This drunkenness culminates on New Year’s Eve, when you get so drunk you kiss the person you’re married to.

PJ O’Rourke

The hard part about being a bartender is figuring out who is drunk and who is just stupid.

Richard Braunstein

24

Beefeater recently began distributing its newest bottle of heaven in the United States – Dallas being only the 10th U.S. city in which it debuted.  Previously, only the lucky travelers that ventured to Canada could snag bottles and bring them back to wave them under the jealous noses of those who didn’t make it up to the Great White North to get their own bottle.  Sadly, I missed the launch party, but since I’m such a lucky little lady and people at Beefeater have heard of my little site, a bottle of the ambrosia arrived on my doorstep.

I couldn’t wait to unscrew the cap … but I did.  But I only waited for my friendsand the proper mixers to come together so I wouldn’t be tempted to empty the bottle all by my lonesome.  Soon enough, friends arrived and drinks were mixed.  We made at least one of each of their signature 24 cocktails and I can’t think of a single one of which I wouldn’t want a few more.

The gin itself is quite tasty.  They say it’s made with botanicals and teas, and by some of the brightest minds (read: biggest lushes) in the industry … but what I know it that is doesn’t make me shudder when I take a swig of a strongly-mixed G&T.  It delivers hints of grapefruit with each sip and it’s de-lightful.  Not a single complaint could be heard in Chez O the night we so diligently explored the intricacies of 24.

Since a bottle of 24 is only $28.99 for a 750 mL, it’s not a budget-breaker and will occupy the top shelf of my bar from now on.  So grab a bottle for yourself and try out a recipe or two below for yourself.  Guarantee … you’ll enjoy it as much as we did.

St. Henderson’s 24 | Signature Cocktail Created by Scott Melton of Bar Celine, Dallas, TX
1 Part Beefeater 24™
½ Part Aperol
½ Part St. Germain
½ Part Lemon Juice
Shaken, topped with soda and served over ice with a lemon peel to garnish

Shifting Sands | Adapted from a recipe by Sasha Petraske of Milk & Honey, New York
1 & ½ Parts Beefeater 24™
1 & ½ Parts fresh grapefruit juice
¼ Part fresh lemon juice
2 Bar Spoons of Maraschino Liqueur
Club soda
1 grapefruit wedge, as garnish

24 Martini | Created by Dan Warner
5 Parts Beefeater 24™
1 Part Lillet Blanc
2 Dashes of Regan’s Orange Bitters
Stirred and served up with a grapefruit twist.

Triple Citrus 24&T
2 Parts Beefeater 24™
1 Part Fever-Tree Tonic

The water was not fit to drink. To make it palatable, we had to add whiskey. By diligent effort, I learned to like it.

Sir Winston Churchill