Remember that experiment that yielded a bad case of basement moonshine? Yeah. This isn’t it. In fact, this comes from a DC duo who have worked around their legit day jobs to create a pretty perfect DIY drink.
Tasty and trendy, a small batch of Homemade Gin is possible without costly (and illegal) distilling equipment. A kit comes with a special blend of spices, botanicals, and flowers, a tin full of juniper berries, two Italian glass bottles, a double mesh fine strainer, and that kitchen classic — a funnel.
You may have seen Homemade Gin kits ($49.95) in a number of online stores (including Red Envelope, Anthropologie, UnCommon Goods, and Salt & Sundry at Union Market), but you should know this homegrown homemade business all started in a condo kitchen in NoVa.
So what does Homemade Gin co-Founder Joe Maiellano (by day with the Armed Forces Foundation) have to say for himself?
“Our love of good spirits and craft cocktails was born out of the DC bar scene. Bartenders like Todd Thrasher, Derek Brown and Gina Chersevani taught us that you can make your own bitters, syrups, tinctures… and that led us to the next logical step of making our own spirits. The successes of the great cocktail scene in DC show that Washingtonians care about quality. They care what they’re drinking. And they’re willing to put time, money and effort into drinking the absolute best tasting, and unique, booze they can get. And what’s more unique than something you make at home?”
How is running the gin kit business more fun than your day job?
“Well, my day job is at the Armed Forces Foundation, a 501(c)3 that provides financial support to active duty service members (including Guard and Reserve), recent veterans and their families. So, I find my day job extremely rewarding. That being said, cocktails are my passion in life. The R&D aspect alone of working on new blends is fantastic. Someone has to drink all of that gin – so my friends and family have been suspiciously supportive.”
Why gin?
“Because gin is my favorite! You know what they say – do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life. Gin is unique among liquors in that most (and in many cases *all*) of its flavor comes from infused oils from herbs, spices, flowers, citrus… rather than from the distillate or aging.”
Is gin in your own personal go-to drink?
“Absolutely! I love a good martini (stirred, with a twist). The Singapore Sling is my go-to summer drink. Although, when it’s really cold out, or snowing, I do enjoy an Islay scotch.”
Well, we won’t hold our breath for scotch from scratch… Though, homemade always warrants a second helping!
