Warm weather drink: A classic Gin & Tonic

Yesterday was the first warm evening in a while. (It’s going to be even warmer tonight.) To celebrate, and take in the splendiferous hot pink sunset, I had a gin and tonic. My new favorite combination is Hendrick’s gin  and Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water. The latter is very important. Once you’ve made your drink with this or one of the other serious brands on the market, you won’t be able to tolerate regular tonic water. Take away that sticky sweetness and you can actually taste the gin.

The perfect tall drink glasses are from Bar Keeper in Silverlake, which incidentally, not only stocks an array of bitters and such for your cocktail needs, but now that the shop has scored a liquor license, small batch spirits as well.

A few years ago, writer and blogger Emily Green (Chance of Rain) wrote a wonderful ode to the gin and tonic (with recipe) in our pages: Memorize it.

Bar Keeper, 3910 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles; (323) 669-1675; www.barkeepersilverlake.com.

—S. Irene Virbila

Photo: Gin and tonic. Credit: S. Irene Virbila / Los Angeles Times

 

Comments

[AimeeX]

Isn't alcohol dehydrating in hot weather? A couple of weeks ago, with some anxiety I had pina colada with rum at Islands restaurant--my first ever drink of liquor other than wine and marguerita. I drank ten sips slowly throughout dinner, out of a pre-spring fever sense of adventure. Stopped after ten sips--started feeling dizzy. I almost lost my balance walking home and slept til after noon on the weekend. Fun to try and an interesting taste, but doubt if I could adjust to the side effects. Don't think I should try again--feels like it destroyed some brain cells and I can't afford to lose any (lol).

[R. Vest]

A mojito made with gin is NOT a mojito now is it? Just like all the so-called martinis... a martini is gin or vodka with vermouth, period.

[Jake Koonz]

Talking of Summer gin drinks the best I've tried recently is a Mojito made with Martin Miller's Gin, seems to only work with Miller's gin but for me is more interesting and refreshing than the usual with rum.