I love gin & tonics.  They’re classic; they’re refreshing; but they are not a fall or winter drink.  Writing about gin & tonic as the northern states slide into the crisp weather of fall is contradictory to my belief that drinks should fit with time and place.  Yet there are incredibly compelling reasons to take up this topic immediately:

1. My father-in-law is convinced that I do something “special” to make gin & tonics better, which necessitates me archiving for his reference the steps I take.
2. Someone having a personal summer may need some classic refreshing.
3. Holiday parties.  Yes, we’re entering the holiday party season in a year of cost control.  Do you think you’ll have top-notch bartenders at the big hotel ballroom?  Will you even have a full bar selection?  If either answer is no, then odds are the wine is bad too.  Yet, even a bellhop filling in behind the hotel linens-draped table can pour together gin & tonic.  It won’t be the best, but it’ll get you through.  The same is true at parties in homes where you may be confronted with a do-it-yourself bar.  Knowing a quick and pleasing drink will serve you well.
4. Someone may ask for one.  Conditioned by the conditions in point 3, this wise individual has underestimated your mixological prowess.  You should use this humble drink to let him (or her) know that there’s no need to settle for the safe bet - he is in the presence of a mixologist.
5. I get to play with my new camera!

Ingredients

gin

tonic

lime

ice

Creation

1. get out a tumbler (or tall and thin highball – i prefer tumbler).
2. pour in one shot (1.5oz) of gin.  use a jigger.  i use Bombay Sapphire.
3. squeeze in the juice from 1/6 to 1/4 of a lime (depending on taste).
4. set the lime wedge aside.
5. throw in a few ice cubes.  i use very small ice cubes.  you could also use crushed ice if you have one of them new-fangled iceboxes.
6. stir.
7. fill all but 1/4 inch with ice.  again, the small or crushed ice.
8. pour in tonic to the top of the ice.  don’t float the ice to the rim.  just to the top of the ice as it is.
9. stir.
10. poke in the lime wedge.

This is just my way.  I have my reasons for each step.  Let me know if you think I have a misstep.

Cheers!