The Humble G&T

Photography by Slim Aarons/Getty Images.

Once on a date with a youngish man, I was told that a gin and tonic was not only an unacceptable drink before Memorial Day, but also a waste of good gin. He proceeded to order a martini for me and a whiskey “neat” for himself, despite my intention to not get too sauced that evening and his previous attestation on the joys of being Paleo. Did you know that hunter-gatherers distilled their own brown liquor? I didn’t.

Much as I hate to admit it, that ardent lover of James Joyce and Kenneth Branagh may have been right about the G&T’s seasonality, however I still disagree with his latter point. The gin and tonic was created in the 19th century by colonial British officers occupying India, adding sugar, lime juice, and their gin ration to quinine-infused tonic water. While this did much to mask the medicinal taste, it did little to combat malaria as was thought. Both essential ingredients have come a long way since then, and if your reaction to gin is similar to malaria symptoms, you may have had too much of the wrong stuff.

Dry, dirty Gibsons or Martinis are my go-to’s, so for G&T’s I prefer gins on the sweeter side. The best thing about the drink is that there’s not much to it; 1:2/2:3 parts gin to tonic is a solid ratio, especially for long Summer afternoons with nowhere to go, and a squirt of lime juice is the classic garnish. Today’s less quinine-heavy formulas of tonic water accentuate rather than hide a good gin’s flavor, and infused tonic can dress up a lesser gin if you’re low on cash. Fever Tree makes an especially tasty tonic in many varieties, and I’ll admit to buying store brand diet tonic when I’m not throwing or attending a party. Although I must insist on a metal straw if you can use it, both for stirring purposes and the environment’s sake.

Photography by Raquel Reyes.

Malfy Gin

There is no shame in buying liquor based on its label; you learn much that way, including when the company spent far more on a bottle’s graphic design than on its contents. Luckily this was not the case with Malfy’s Gin Rosa (Pink Sicilian Grapefruit), which I bought simply because it’s pink. The taste is not too sweet, with just enough bitterness to remind you of what you’re drinking. Malfy recommends a grapefruit wedge with a sprig of rosemary in their signature G&T, which adds more bite and botanical flavor. After two of these, I risk knocking over glasses with my hand gestures. Saluti!

Midsummer Solstice - Hendrick’s

The flower crowns are not optional. Easily enjoyed throughout the entire season, Hendrick’s small batch Midsummer Solstice gin will make you feel like the May Queen. Sweeter than I usually take my gins, its intensely floral taste and aroma was a pleasant surprise. This can be heightened with elderflower liqueur, an orange wedge, and a cucumber slice. All G&Ts are best enjoyed outside, and this one will have you frolicking in the closest field. Just don’t fall asleep; it hits all at once and I’m not responsible for sunburns or fae abductions. Hendrick’s standard gin is a solid, widely available choice, and I’m always impressed by their experimental variations. Skol!

Sweetgrass Cranberry Gin

My Summer fling with G&Ts began in Portland, Maine, wandering around town and taking Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery up on their sandwich board’s offer of a gin tasting. Sitting beside no fewer than three middle-aged couples ‘from away,’ the no-nonsense lady behind the bar set me straight after being led astray by my previous suitor. Pouring a shot of their signature Cranberry Gin, she poured the tonic water and garnished the drink with a couple of muddled cranberries. With one sip, the spell was lifted. The tonic did indeed open up the cranberry flavor as my surly Fairy Ginmother promised. I bought one Cranberry bottle and another of their Back River Gin for my mother. I’ve barely remembered a Summer since. Cheers!

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Now that Labor Day is approaching, there’s still time to stare down the glass of partially melted ice and wonder where the season went. For some readers, it will remain warm and sunny long afterwards. For many others, that holiday has no meaning. Although I’m not expecting an endless Summer, the passing of this season in particular is a sober reminder that nothing at all exists in a vacuum. Especially not the humble G&T.

Photography courtesy of Slim Aarons/Getty Images

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Zoë G. Burnett is a writer, film enthusiast, and ad woman based in Massachusetts. A lover of all things spooky and sparkly, she is currently working on her first book about witchcraft and classic style. Zoë is a Contributing Editor and The Attic on Eighth’s Film Columnist.