Yesterday was International Gin & Tonic Day (one of two held every year, by the way. I don't know who designated these days, but God bless them, each and every one.) Since I was out at a concert, I had a whatever gin with whatever tonic to celebrate. It was fine; the G&T is my go-to drink when I don't know or trust the bar. Today's warm weather (I love late October in San Francisco; it's the best time to be here!) inspired me to have another.

This time I went to my bottle of Gin Mare, a lovely Spanish gin flavored with olives, rosemary, thyme, and basil. Spanish gins are getting big and Gin Mare has been getting rave reviews. So when my friend Adam was in Spain the other month, I asked him if he could bring me a bottle. He was kind enough to do so and shortly before he handed the bottle over to me, I happened to spot it on the shelves of my local wine shop. This is an excellent gin, perfect for sipping chilled, in a Martini, or in a gin and tonic, and I'm happy it will be available over here.

This gin makes a great and refreshing gin and tonic. The flavors of the botanicals really come through. I get a lovely whiff of rosemary and lime from the garnish as I go in for a sip and then the rest of the flavors come bursting through. I went with Fever Tree's Indian Tonic because that's what I had chilled in the fridge, but I wonder how this would do with their Mediterranean Tonic. I'll have to try that next time -- and if this weather continues, there will be a next time!

Recipe

Ah, I bet you already know how to do this one.

Ingredients

2 oz Gin (go for something botanical.)
~4 oz Tonic Water (adjust to taste)

Directions

Add ice cubes to a Collins glass, pour in the gin, add the tonic and gently stir to combine.
Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of rosemary
Sit back, stare off into the distance and imagine you're on the coast of Spain...