Gin Season

And here we are again, at the beginning of one of my favorite seasons- Gin Season!

On Sunday, David and I took a long walk through Boston.  Sunday was also the day of the annually epic St. Patrick's Day Parade in Southie, so we decided to stroll down the esplanade, through Beacon Hill then into Back Bay to avoid the crowds.  But reader, there is no avoiding the crowds on a stunning 70 degree Sunday at the beginning of spring,  and David and I were confronted with masses of sun-bathing lovers, families with strollers, and lots and lots of drunk people.

As you can imagine, the heat and crowd-dodging exhausted us, so along our journey we stopped off for refreshments (and to hide from the masses) at 75 Chestnut and Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar where we indulged in some delicious summery cocktails made with- you guessed it- GIN!  

Now, I'm particular about my gin in that I want it to actually taste like gin.  There's nothing more refreshing than a cold drink on a hot day that doesn't make your mouth sticky-sweet but also doesn't go down like water.  My go-to patio cocktail is a simple Hendrick's with equal parts soda and tonic served (and this is a must) with a cucumber garnish.  Although I prefer Hendricks, I'm always happy to substitute a crisp, dry gin like Plymouth, Beefeater, or Bols Genever if I have them on hand and want to feel a little more homey and simple.  If I'm not drinking Hendrick's, I will change my garnish to a lime, obviously. 

This spring I'd like to branch out and try some new gins.  In particular, I've had my eye on Breuckelen Distillery's gin ever since I watched the inspiring story of how they got their start over at Made By Hand and need to get my hands on a bottle.  This year, I'm going to try to stay far away from the G&T rut that usually begins mid-June and peters out when the cool autumn wind blows in.  I will make interesting, sophisticated gin-based drinks that are more complex but just as refreshing as my much loved G&T... Please, let me know if you have suggestions!    

Popping off now to dress for dinner.  My life is v. exhausting, haven't you heard?

(top photo: gin gimlet at Citizen, middle photo: David's absurdly large hand & a Hendrick's with soda and tonic at 75 Chestnut, bottom photo: rug and sun at Citizen)

Breckenridge Distillery @ Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar

On Wednesday night (before our Tasty Burger incident...), we visited our friends over at Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar.  They were hosting some folks from Breckenridge Distillery for an evening of cocktails featuring their spirits. 

David and I drank delicious Manhattans with Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey.  The high-rye whiskey was smooth and contained a hint of vanilla that lingered on the tongue and warmed the belly.  The folks at Breckenridge really seem to love what they do, and they put a lot of thought and hard work into each of their spirits.  I'd never had their Bourbon Whiskey before, but I'll certainly be having it again.

Later in the evening, we asked John (one of our favorite bartenders) to break out the tumblers so we could enjoy a glass of whiskey on the rocks.  He happily obliged.  (And when we say rocks, we mean one giant ice sphere- a slow-melting orb of ice that perfectly cools a sipping spirit and looks positively gorgeous in a glass.)

And that, my friends, is how you make a ice sphere!  Be careful not to chip a tooth...

Many thanks to Breckenridge Distillery for making such a fine spirit and thank you to Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar for being awesome, as always.