For all its surface simplicity, the gin & tonic, or G&T as most of the world calls it, is a storied and romantic drink. If you get past the sizeable evils of empire building, it conjures up images of adventurous and perspiring colonials in far away places, keeping a stiff and sweaty upper lip, while wearing tropical tuxedos or pith helmets and pretending they have not been exiled for some darkness of deed or birth. The more exotic corners of Victoria’s empire always had a roguish, if not outright anything goes, feel about them, and you probably did not become second deputy lieutenant governor of central Australia because of your breeding, brilliance, spotless record or scandal free life. The “A team” likely stayed in London.Read more
It may come as a shock to the one British visitor of this blog, but Pimm’s is not universally well known. Not known at all in fact, even in this former corner of the Empire. I had to order it special just to get my hands on two bottles, I know right? Apparently however, it has been quite popular in New Orleans for decades, to the point that it is sometimes claimed as a purely local Big Easy drink. Cough, cough. Philistines. Cough.Read more
Maybe it was going through all the old pictures that made me a little bitter, or maybe it was the four espressos, but I was in a reflective regretful mood this morning. Then I caught myself. I’ve mentioned before my philosophy of life, if one can call it that, today I want to add to it a little.Read more
I’m curious what you guys think about tipping in dive shops. I really am.
If there was a D&C dive shop I think we’d have a sign saying “Unless it’s about the new hot place in town, we don’t take tips”. Yes, we would probably have to charge more. I wonder if that would fly.Read more
A brace of americanos with a stormy and a Cuba libre.
TL;DR? Just drink it.
My americano
Ice cubes into a tall narrowish glass, be generous
1.5 ounces Campari
1.5 ounces sweet vermouth
Few drops of cocktail bitters, less is more, Angostura’s orange is especially nice
Stir
Top with soda water to taste
Garnish with an orange wheel or expressed lemon peel (optional)
Stir very briefly (keep them bubbles)
There’s no scuba diving in sight for the immediate future. I had the opportunity to go dive in a quarry, in Mohawk territory, but my bad social planning skills intervened. So instead of glorious but cold ass underwater vistas, brace yourselves for a short series on…. you know it , drinks, and probably some random thoughts to go with that.Read more
Scuba diving, quality cocktails, taking it easy and other treasure maps.
