Gin & Tonic Time

It finally feels like summer.  Real summer.  Like, sweat-dripping-down-your-back-as-you-carry-groceries-home summer.  Afraid-of-public-transportation-because-people-will-smell-bad summer. OMG-I-WANT-TO-STRIP-DOWN-TO-MY-UNDERWEAR-RIGHT-NOW summer.  And you guys, it is glorious!

David and I woke up to a joyously warm morning and went for a two-hour hike through Hobbit Country.  I've said it once and I will say it a bijillion times more: I love the English countryside.  I don't want to live in the English countryside, but I have a profound appreciation for its beauty and greatly enjoy voyaging through it on occasion.  The wooded footpath we wandered along smelled green and earthy and, except for the terrible moment in which David sank into a mud pit (seriously), we had a really wonderful time.

I returned home from our walk feeling energized and strong and with the most intense craving for a gin and tonic.  Lo and behold, my neighborhood liquor store doesn't carry any of my trusted gin brands, so I'm experimenting with Martin Miller's Gin, which is made in England but distilled using 100% Icelandic water.  It's smooth and refreshing in my G&T, but the verdict is still out on how much I love it until I use it in a couple other gin cocktails.  Don't worry, I'll report back when the time is right.

Off now to get some work done.  Working on American time from the UK is sometimes a bummer, but usually wonderful.  It gives me the flexibility of getting things done during the day- and enjoying the sunshine- and then relaxing as I work in the evening, which I love.  I hope your day is half as beautiful (and sunny!) as mine!  Xox

p.s. After putting it off for a long time (it didn't want the book to end!), I finished Papa Hemingway.  Reading about the last year of his life was really difficult.  Of course everyone knows Hemingway shot himself, but what many people don't know is that Hemingway had a disease  called Hemochromatosis which made him psychologically imbalanced and paranoid.  He was treated twice at the Mayo Clinic, where he was given shock therapy (eek!) which made him feel as if he was being robbed of his memory and, incidentally, his craft.  At the end of the book, Hemingway is quoted saying, "Hotch, if I can't exist on my own terms, then existence is impossible.  Do you understand?  That is how I've lived, and that is how I must live   or not live."

Hemingway's father, brother and sister all committed suicide, too and are believed to have also suffered from the same disease.  So, that's sad...  :(

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)