Happy International Gin & Tonic Day!

I have been really sloughing off on my G&T game this year (but, okay, in favor of mixed cocktails), and the very least I can do to atone for my negligence is to be enthusiastic about International Gin & Tonic Day. (Disclaimer: I’ve no idea who is empowered to declare any international day of any cocktail – probably not the United Nations – but I’m not looking this gift horse in the mouth.)

Here’s my own selection for today – what are you having??

On the premise that drinks taste even better when they look beautiful, smell great, and come in a beautiful glass, I went with this lemony and lively variation. There can be SO much more to G&T than lime slices!

CLASSICO GIN AND TONIC
In a big, stemmed wine goblet, over ice that half-fills the glass (note that I used clear ice!), mix:

2 ounces (or more) London Dry-style gin – I use 3 oz of Sipsmith VJOP, because I love gin and VJOP shines through the tonic bath
8 juniper berries
2 dashes Angostura or Fee Brothers aromatic bitters
The peel, in strips, of half a lemon (get out your swivel peeler)

Add cold tonic water – my go-to is Fever-Tree Mediterranean
Stir gently to chill. Enjoy.