This author’s affair with GinTonic*—truly, a romance for the ages—almost never happened. The events of this timeless tale of star-crossed lovers and a prince-(g)in-disguise are printed below.
After downing (and drowning in) dollar wells in college, I wrongfully dismissed the Hero of this Story, GinTonic, as a disgusting drink laced with nausea and regret. Because the Hero’s bottom-shelf brethren reek of pine trees and bad decisions, I spent years wrongfully discriminating my ride-or-die drink. Simply smelling the spirit could trigger a headache more piercing than Jared Leto’s eyes, and the notion that “juniper berry-based liquor + cheap-costing tonics = delicious” is more ridiculous than any given Facebook News Feed.
Despite biting my thumb at our Hero for years, in the end, all it took to change my mind was one liter of Tanqueray with an old friend and a few exotic tonics. And it’s no surprise, really. GinTonic is perfect for every occasion: add a splash of lemonade, drink it for America at a garden party, enjoy with iced tea; combine with crème légère, toast the art gallery.
After tasting these drinks, we’re confident you’ll profess your undying love to GinTonic with a conviction rivalling Tom Cruise’s proclamation to Katie Holmes on Oprah. The only difference is that GT, unlike KT, won’t divorce you no matter what you do. Le swoon.
For best results, freeze balloon-style glasses overnight; fill to brim with high-quality, large ice cubes (to minimize dilution); and, use individual bottles of tonic water (to ensure carbonation).
*The “and” has been omitted from “Gin and Tonic,” because, efficiency. Why waste drinking-time on an unnecessary conjunction?
Sant Jordi
Photo via Pass the Palate
Ingredients
2 oz. Bulldog Gin
¾ oz. John’s Premium Tonic Syrup
6 oz. club soda
2 dashes of Hella Aromatic Bitters
1 Orange
Cinnamon stick, for garnish
Sant Jordi’s Day is the most romantic day of the year in Catalonia. Like its namesake, this magical potion will sweep you off your feet and keep you coming back for more. This will be a storybook tale for the ages.
Directions: Cut the orange in half. Add the juice of one half, then rub the peel around the rim of the glass (now, toss this half in the trash). Add the gin, syrup, soda, and bitters, and stir well. Garnish with one slice of orange and cinnamon stick.
