Martinis!

For anyone who loves gin as much as I do, It is surprising to me even, that I had not ever had a martini before I made these ones for the project.

 

When my friend Paul asked what he could bring to dinner, I asked him to bring some fun olives, because I knew we would be having martinis with dinner. And fun olives he did bring! Ones stuffed with almonds, and ones stuffed with sundried tomato, and some kind of orange zest.

  

I mixed them in a large mason jar with a lid, (because I am Classy, and don't have a bar set) and poured them into wine glasses (see again re: classy)  and we each chose an olive to plop into our drink. I used my basic budget gin (New Amsterdam, in case you're wondering- I read an article somewhere... Real Simple? Somewhere online? That named it as one of the best gin bargains, and I have to say, it's pretty good)

 

I don't know where this drink has been my whole drinking life!  the gin really shines through, and the salty-briny of the olives offsets it nicely.

 

A definite win!

Gin Rickey- 1958

Can I tell you how excited I am that this book has a comprehensive Collection list of cocktails?   I am VERY happy.  I think that will be helpful as I forge my way through the giant book. I always like to try new drinks, and sidestepping the fact that it could get expensive,  I am looking forward to this part of the book a lot.

Gin Rickey Ingredients (minus the simple syrup)

I knew from the beginning that I was going to like this drink.  My favorite drink is a Gin and Tonic, and that's my default order whenever I go anywhere.  I used New Amsterdam Gin, which is my go-to inexpensive gin (although I bet a Gin Rickey would be delicious with Bombay Sapphire) 

My juice glasses are these canning jars, which I love, and I thought it looked nice in the glass when it was all put together: 

I really liked the flavor of this drink. With a G&T, you get a lot of the taste of tonic, and while I like tonic, the simplicity of the gin, the lime and the seltzer with the slight sweetness from the simple syrup was delightful. 

I may have had two, on a work night. Time will tell if I regret that choice in the morning. (I'm kind of a lightweight when it comes to drinking)