Happy weekend, and welcome back to 3-Ingredient Happy Hour, the weekly drink column featuring super simple yet delicious libations. This week we’re taking the already refreshing gin & tonic and making it even fresher, if you can imagine such a thing.
Photo: Claire Lower
Earlier this week, I went to a book event. I don’t usually go to book events, but the book was about gin (and tonic) and I was told there would be free gin (and tonic). This book has everything — malaria, alpaca salesmen, cats being thrown from planes — and I learned a lot, but mostly it just made me want to drink a lot of gin (and tonic).
Love to smashPhoto: Claire Lower
For many years now, Hendrick’s gin has held a special place in my heart, because I love that fresh-to-death cucumber flavour, but it’s pricey in my area, and tonic water tends to cover up those more delicate floral notes anyway.
So, for G&T’s, I began muddling actual cucumbers — which are cheap! — into less expensive gin and topping that with tonic. If you’re a big quinine fan, feel free to add an extra 30mL of tonic to the recipe below, but I find that to be a bit sweet.
To make this smashing drink, you will need:
- 3 slices of cucumber
- 60mL of not-too-fancy gin
- 60mL of tonic water
Add the cucumber slices to a lowball and mash ’em up. Add the gin, and give the cukes one more smash. Fill the glass with ice and top with tonic. Sip and enjoy.
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