Tag: Gin and Tonic

Gin Days Of Summer: Classic Ernest Hemingway Gin & Tonic

 

 

Classic Ernest Hemingway Gin and TonicI once visited the Dark Continent where it was rumored that the Quinine in Tonic Water prevented Malaria. To that end, I didn’t meet anyone who had Malaria but I did encounter many an alcoholic.

Ernest Hemingway was rumored to enjoy a Gin & Tonic now and then but he liked his a special way, with a secret ingredient.

Ernest Hemmingway Gin & Tonic

Follow the flow chart

  • Fill a High Ball glass with ice
  • Add 1 (or 2) shot(s) of Gin
  • Shake in 4- 5 dashes of Agnostura Bitters (the secret ingredient!)
  • Add about 2 teaspoons of lime juice
  • Top off with Tonic Water
  • Garnish with lime wedge

Classic Ernest Hemingway Gin and TonicI no longer spend much time on the Dark Continent but I do live in New Mexico which, minus the roadside Baboons, is hauntingly similar.

It’s hot here, like Africa hot, with summer temperatures easily topping 100 degrees for days on end. When happy hour finally rolls around, a Gin & Tonic sure does cool the soul.

Classic Ernest Hemingway Gin and Tonic.

 

Gin Days Of Summer: Lemon Lavender Gin and Tonic

 

Lemon Lavender Gin and Tonic
Doesn’t this look good?

Gin and Tonic, the quintessential summer cocktail, made famous by Ernest Hemmingway and rumored to prevent Malaria.

It doesn’t, but nothing refreshes the soul at the end of a hot day on the Dark Continent like a Gin & Tonic .

Hemmingway drank a Gin & Tonic and he killed himself on a Sunday in Idaho. There may have been a different reason why.

What’s in a Gin & Tonic, you ask?

Well…. Gin and Tonic. See there, that’s an easy one.

But wait, what if this self explanatory cocktail could be improved upon?

I present for your consideration the Lemon Lavender Gin & Tonic.

Hemingway would never daisy-up his liquor with girly things like Lemon and Lavender but no one asked him. You know, because he’s dead.

Follow the flowchart: 

In an empty glass, muddle a sprig of fresh Lavender with a good size slice of lemon. I did not add sugar to the mix, but you could if you wanted. Incidentally, Tonic Water usually has quite a bit of sugar in it already.

Fill the glass with ice.

Top with Tonic Water.

Either serve with a cocktail straw or stir with a spoon. All the good stuff is at the bottom.

Garnish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of Lavender, preferably one with flowers.

Fresh homegrown lavender.
Home grown Lavender, fresh from my yard.

This flavor set may not be for everyone, but I found it to be nice. Earthy and fresh. Drunk on aromatherapy, you could say.

Lemon Lavender Gin and Tonic Summer Cocktail