Damn the weather! An irrelevant observation, really, but I hear that a lot from people in Western New York around late February and March. In their defense, I had a great-uncle who always said something to the effect of, “If I can make it through March, I’ll have the year in the bag for sure.” (He died in a January.) But to pick a bone with them, right over there on our eastern boundary sits Vermont—with pretty much the same climate we have, but widely regarded as “a year ’round vacation wonderland!” Damn the cursing.

Anyway, sometimes when it’s too cold (or too hot), too rainy (or too dry), or too anything outdoors, you you can just let this drink curse the weather for you while you do a little attitude adjustment.

Lots of citrus and only an ounce of gin makes this concoction more refreshing than boozy. Hey – with all that OJ in it, it’s even healthy!!

Of note, I did the blood orange juice option – hence the vivid color.

DAMN THE WEATHER
1 oz Gin of choice
½ oz Triple Sec liqueur (40%)
1 oz Italian (sweet) vermouth (mine was Carpano Antica Formula)
1½ oz Freshly squeezed orange juice (blood orange optional)

Shake all ingredients with ice and fine-strain into chilled coupe or Martini glass, then garnish with a twist of orange zest.