Caught in a short break between a wine tasting and dinner, what does one do for a simple cocktail? Something like this: The “Gin & It” – “It” is short for Italian. As in vermouth. The sweet, flavorful, red kind.

Equal parts gin (this time, Sipsmith VJOP – very high test at 57.7% alcohol by volume, but tasty when diluted) and Italian vermouth (Carpano Antica Formula), a dash or two of Fee Brothers Gin Barrel Aged Orange Bitters, and a flamed orange peel (fire and smoke are fun!). Net alcohol by volume is 37% – buzzy, but not a killer.

And so easy to make. Stir the ingredients over ice and strain into a chilled glass, or do as I do: Keep your gin in the freezer and your vermouth in the fridge (where all vermouth should live anyway, by the way), and just mix them in the glass.