Dirk Ludwig introduces his own gin
Lingonberries, horseradish root, cayenne pepper and basil are a rather unusual combination as a spice mix for the perfect steak. But if meat sommelier Dirk Ludwig distills his own gin with a lot of passion, things look very different. In collaboration with the Schlitzer Destille, he developed the “Mark & Bein” gin from thirteen selected ingredients, also known as botanicals in technical jargon, which impresses with its mild and at the same time peppery note. And because the meat expert's own gin is not enough, he created a suitable cocktail, the “Butchers Mule”.
Schlüchtern, March 2019. "Gin is very popular in the grill and barbeque scene, and I cook a lot myself with it. He just gives my marinades a special touch. This gave rise to the idea of burning your own gin, which consists only of ingredients that are part of my daily work, "explains meat expert Dirk Ludwig. The process from concept to implementation took place in cooperation with the Schlitzer Destille. The distillery in the Main-Kinzig-Kreis is an institution whose tradition reaches back to the year 1585 and which calls itself the oldest distillery in the world.
When the two artisans meet, the meat sommelier's expertise is combined with the centuries-old knowledge of producing spirits. This resulted in a unique gin with 13 botanicals, all of which are at home in the world of cooking and grilling. The list of herbs and spices it contains ranges from classic ingredients such as juniper berries, lemon peel, gold balm and angelica root to basil, laurel and cranberries and spicy ingredients such as nutmeg, marjoram and thyme. Extraordinary components such as horseradish root and cayenne pepper were also used. This makes the "Mark & Bein" ideal for cooking and grilling, but also for mixing exciting drinks.
The butcher's daily bread: Mark & Bein
“The marrow and bone are everyday components of my work. They give my fund the right flavor. I wanted to make a gin that picks up exactly this character and gives marinades, sauces, dips and drinks a special touch. Hence the name, ”explains Ludwig. A signature drink should of course not be missing with your own gin. At Butchers Mule, 4,5 cl “Mark & Bein” gin is mixed with 2,5 cl lime juice, 3 cl sugar syrup, fresh mint and ice and topped up with 3 cl ginger beer. The diverse ingredients and spices complement each other ideally with the taste of ginger and the acidity of lime. This creates a fruity-sour drink that has a certain spiciness and is the perfect aperitif for a good steak.
The “Mark & Bein” -Gin is available in the butcher's shop in Schlüchtern and from the Der Ludwig online shop. The price for the 0,5 liter bottle is 34,90 euros.
For more information visit www.der-ludwig.de
