Broker's Gin
By: Warren Bobrow
Published: August 6, 2014

Did it take going to Tales of the Cocktail to try Broker's Gin?  I have to say yes because where I live in New Jersey they haven't even heard of Broker's.  Much less the difference between London Dry Gin and Botanical Gin.  (or even Old Tom or Tom Cat for that matter!)
IF you are able to find a bartender who knows the difference in Morristown- where I live, please tell me because I'd like to congratulate them!  
Broker's in unlike any of the "London Dry" styles of gin that I've tasted so it will be a hard sell in Morristown, NJ.  Why?  Because it actually tastes like something!  Broker's is a marvelous gin with aromatics of freshly crushed juniper (the signature flavor of London Dry Gin) and freshly cut herbs, citrus zests and the taste of wet stones that have been sitting in churning salt water.  (Lick a sea stone and you'll know what I'm saying!)
 
Sure it took going to Tales of the Cocktail to find my new favorite "English" Gin.  But now that I've been and returned in one piece, I can say that I'm on the hunt for Broker's Gin because it tastes so darned good.  You should do everything in your power to buy a bottle.    May I suggest DrinkupNY?
AND it's under twenty dollars!  That does need to be said, because gin of this quality and character DOES NOT COST UNDER Twenty Dollars!   But this one does!
The Broker’s Bowler Cup has a new champion. Brett Esler, bartender in an East Austin, TX hot spot, took the top honors during the finals of the 2014 Broker’s Bowler Cup Championship held at Tales of the Cocktail, the world’s premier cocktail event.
 
Esler took the title with his innovative cocktail – England's First Love Affair.
 
Ingredients
4-5 large muddled mint leaves
2 oz. Brokers® Gin
¾ oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice
½ oz. B.G. Reynolds orgeat syrup
1 egg white
 
1 large mint spring for garnish
 
Directions
Gently muddle 4-5 good-sized mint leaves in a pint glass. Add the rest of the liquid ingredients. Give a very hard dry shake (without ice) for about 25 seconds or so. Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for another 10-12 seconds. Double strain the cocktail with a fine mesh strainer into a coup glass and garnish with a healthy mint sprig.
 
“Brett is a great mixologist and competitor,” said Martin Dawson, co-founder, Broker’s Gin. “His creative cocktail offered fresh citrus flavors beautifully enhanced by Broker's botanicals.  In addition, he delighted the crowd with his flair, personality and presentation.”
 
Presented by The Tasting Panel Magazine, and sponsored by Broker’s Gin, the award-winning, premium small batch London Dry Gin, the Broker’s Bowler Cup was open to US-based mixologists who submitted their cocktail creations via Facebook and Instagram. Twelve semi-finalists – three each, representing the Central, South, West and East regions – were determined by consumer votes on Facebook and judged at a live tasting event in Los Angeles.  A panel of experts selected one mixologist per region, each of whom won the opportunity to compete in the Bowler Cup Finals at Tales of the Cocktail. Nearly 500 guests sampled the cocktails and voted for their favorite, while chatting with Co-Founders Martin and Andy Dawson.
 
 
About Broker’s London Dry Gin
Broker’s Gin is small batch, micro-distilled in the heart of England. Located in Langley, England, the distillery where Broker’s Gin is made is over 200 years old and uses only traditional pot stills. The raw ingredients are quadruple-distilled pure grain spirit made from English wheat and ten natural botanicals (herbs, spices and fruit). The botanicals are steeped for 24 hours in the pure grain spirit which is then distilled for a fifth time.
 
A key icon for the brand is the bowler hat, a distinguishing characteristic of an English gentleman. The two charismatic founders, Martin and Andy Dawson, are true believers in the personality of Broker’s, and find that the British humor that accompanies their gin is essential to occasions in which gin is best enjoyed. Broker’s Gin is distributed exclusively in the United States by Hood River Distillers.
 
 
My second book, Whiskey Cocktails will be published in October 2014.  Featuring 75 new and re-imaged cocktails from my twisted mind, this book will be sure to delight you- and whet your whistle!  It's not your daddy's whiskey sour or Scotch on the rocks book!   
Thank you.  Warren