Favorite Summer Drink

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Oh, but you're missing out on that characteristic tang. Nothing is as dry and crisp with gin.

You don't have to add much; the British typically pour in just a dash to ward off the malaria.

Can't I just use, say, soda? Maybe I've just had them with too much quinine in the past. But isn't the proper ratio 50/50?

 

[Brad Bowers]

I always put a couple of jiggers of gin in a 16 oz. tumbler with some ice, and fill it up the rest of the way with tonic. Garnish with lime, and I'm set.

I don't have a suggestion for dealing with the taste of tonic, as I'll drink tonic even without gin.lol

Brad

 

[Diamondback]

Maybe add a shot of lemon or lime juice to cover it up? (Assuming one has a tolerance for uber-sour...)

 

[Feraud]

Can't I just use, say, soda? Maybe I've just had them with too much quinine in the past. But isn't the proper ratio 50/50?

If you don't like tonic water you can drink gin with ginger ale or a light fruit juice.
Limeade is very good with gin.
http://www.viewpoints.com/images/review/2008/170/10/1213803471-882_full.jpg

 

[ladybrettashley]

I've decided to develop a taste for gin. Any recs for a die-hard bourbon drinker? I'm thinking Hendrick's might be a good place to start, since it's, what, herbed? Cucumber and rose?

Incidentally, I hate tonic. I think it's disgusting. Quinine, yucky.

Oh, lovely! I did the same thing beginning a few months back. When summer hit, in fact, because as much as i love (love!) bourbon, it is a bit heavy for those 100 degree days.

I don't know a thing about brands, as i've only tried Bombay Sapphire, but i've liked it, for what it's worth. I can't quite manage to enjoy a plain martini, but in somewhat less straightforward mixes, i have come to love gin. My favorites are a bronx (sweet and dry vermouth, gin, fresh orange juice) and gin and tonic, though i quite like a dirty martini as well.

As for not liking tonic, i've found that anything that is good with tonic is good with ginger ale as well (and vice versa), although it clearly changes the character of the drink. Even better, use half ginger ale, half plain soda - it lends a lightness to the ginger ale and a flavor to the soda that i think makes it more "mixable."

Good luck!

 

[jamespowers]

Okay, I massacred this, but ended up with something yummy anyway. I couldn't find Torani Raspberry syrup anywhere in town, but a local grocery store had their brand of raspberry syrup, so I bought that. Decided to mix it at 4:1, but didn't like the results as well as I hoped. So I made the mistake of making it 2:1, as I do a gimlet, but the resulting drink was like a big glass of Nyquil on the rocks.

So, I added some more gin in, still didn't like it, then decided to cut it with some Rose's Lime Juice. Now, that was wonderful! A Raspberry gimlet, sweet and tart. I have no idea what ratio it was, though.

I'm following that drink up with a mango smoothie, made with Arizona Tea Company's Mucho Mango smoothie concentrate (available at Sam's Club, at least last year it was), blended smooth with ice and plenty of rum to taste.

Brad

Nyquil?! Oh geez! Maybe that store brand isn't working for you there.
I have taken to a scotch and creme de casis cocktail that I cannot remember the name of now but I found it in the Bartender's guide. Not Bad really. I have had the creme de casis around for a while without finding a use for it until now. :cheers1:

 

[jamespowers]

Oooooo......

Not a problem. The whole block, however...I live in an apt bldg with a population of ±150, so I'm gonna have to use a bathtub! lol

Ok, I bought the shaker set instead.
Just don't use bathtub gin then.

 

[jamespowers]

Can't I just use, say, soda? Maybe I've just had them with too much quinine in the past. But isn't the proper ratio 50/50?

Really go out on a limb and use Ginger beer instead. I prefer to use the strong ginger beer as it definitely adds character.

 

[Nash Buckingham]

I've decided to develop a taste for gin. Any recs for a die-hard bourbon drinker? I'm thinking Hendrick's might be a good place to start, since it's, what, herbed? Cucumber and rose?

Incidentally, I hate tonic. I think it's disgusting. Quinine, yucky.

Try "New Amsterdam" gin - it seems a bit lighter on the juniper and is very smooth. Makes a good martini.

Large quantities of your favorite recipe on a summer evening - just the thing!

 

[rumblefish]

Thoroughbred

How about; puree' a fresh peach, few ounces of rum, a squeeze from a quarter of a lemon, and a dash of Angostura. Top with soda and crushed ice.

Edit: bourbon not rum!

 

[Boodles]

Holy moly Mr Fish, that sounds good

How about; puree' a fresh peach, few ounces of rum, a squeeze from a quarter of a lemon, and a dash of Angostura. Top with soda and crushed ice.

Decent peaches are finally making their way up into North Carolina. This reads like something to do them justice. Are you peeling the peach or does the puree button make that a non-issue?

 

[JennyLou]

How about; puree' a fresh peach, few ounces of rum, a squeeze from a quarter of a lemon, and a dash of Angostura. Top with soda and crushed ice.

That sounds good. I'll have to make one of those some time soon.

 

[Wally_Hood]

Favorite summer drink is a three-way tie among G and T, mojito, and pina colada. But the G and T is in first place in the tie.

For the gin and tonic, I muddle half a lime, add ice, then gin, and top off with tonic. Is the first step considered non-canonical?

 

[Tomasso]

As I was mixing my second vodka and lemonade (made from scratch), on a lark I threw in a splash of Noilly Pratt Sweet. Me likey!!!

 

[jamespowers]

1 tbsp Creme de cassis
2 ounces Scotch
Soda to fill
:beer:
:eusa_clap

 

[rumblefish]

Decent peaches are finally making their way up into North Carolina. This reads like something to do them justice. Are you peeling the peach or does the puree button make that a non-issue?

Boodles, I sort of use the skin as a handle as I push is through the strainer. When it's all pushed through you're left with the skin to toss out, beats peeling.

That sounds good. I'll have to make one of those some time soon.

While the peaches are still available!

 

[rumblefish]

I hope any who made my version of a Thoroughbred enjoyed it, but it should be made with bourbon not rum.:eusa_doh: *disengage brain, type*
Maybe I should proof read,,, a few times!

 

[Ethan Bentley]

Can't I just use, say, soda? Maybe I've just had them with too much quinine in the past. But isn't the proper ratio 50/50?

The standard ratio I use is slightly over 2:1 - Tonic:Gin. I've tried many other ways but this seems to be the best balance.

Like Brad I too could drink tonic water on it's own but soda is a possible substitute, in which case you might fancy trying a (Tom) Collins. It has the same refreshing ability of a Gin and Tonic, allows you taste the gin and isn't so bitter.

Nash, you are quite right New Amsterdam is an excellent recent addition; it is a fine example of a slightly more traditional gin.
I don't have a problem with Hendrick's, I'm a fan as it goes, but it isn't really a typical Dry Gin.

 

[Alex Oviatt]

There is nothing like a gin and tonic in the summer although if I am anywhere near the sea I tend to like Mt. Gay and tonic--no idea why, just suggests the beach to me. Lime in both a must. Of course, taking after the French, a good, dry Bandol rose is a great summer wine. A Campari and soda, or even a Negroni, can be very refreshing, too. And, of course, Pimms. This all makes me thirsty.....

 

[Lancealot]

Favortie summer drink is tied between G&T and Gin Gimlet.