HAPPY HOUR

Its the weekend bitches!!!! 

Just in time too! We owe this, one of the oldest of the classic cocktails, to John Collins, barman at Limmer's Hotel in London. In the early 1800's, Collins invented a drink composed of dry gin, sugar, lemon and soda water. Experimenters soon expanded on his idea, replacing the Dutch dry gin with a sweeter variety known as Old Tom. To distinguish between the two versions, the newcomer was dubbed Tom Collins. It quickly proved more popular than the original John Collins, and it's fame spread throughout the Empire. The drink gained a foothold in the US when World War I veterans brought it back here from over there and has been extremely popular ever since. It's the original John Collins that we are enjoying tonight, I like a dry drink, composed of gin, sugar, lemon juice and soda. It's an irresistible recipe to experiment with and its ingredients go with a variety of liquors. You know me- Give me a bromide. And put gin in it!

1 tsp sugar

Juice of 1 lemon, strained of seeds

2 1/2 oz gin

Club soda

Place three or more cubes of ice in a tall glass, Add sugar and lemon juice. Pour in gin, then fill to the top with club soda. You can also add the now ubiquitous cherry garnish if you fancy. Why not, from my point of view...gratuitous. Cheers!

Gloria Lynne is here to set the mood, with what else...

Sublime.

FOURTH

 

It's been so long since I had enjoyed a three day weekend because of the pandemic and not working, I'd almost forgotten what it felt like, but it's been so hectic with work and free lance projects, it's welcomed. Last week before heading home I did a window display for an antique dealers shop window...couldn't resist using the Boston Terrier door stops...and then took a peruse around his shop. Many modern Independence Day traditions stem from Americas early independence celebrations. It use to be quite common for the Declaration of Independence to be read aloud, followed by muskets and cannons being fired. It's safe to say the earliest of Americans celebrated the 4th of July loudly and proudly.

We are gathering with family, and the Lad at the Mothers for our 4th of July. While gin and Pimms poured yesterday, today will be a nice cook out on the grill, and getting buzzed on more Pimms Cups all around. No fireworks this year, although we may see them from the house anyhow.... but we plan to have a fire in the firepit.... and may light some sparklers if the mood strikes.

Happy Fourth of July!

Little Edie...always a holiday favorite.

FLAGS AND GIN

Greetings from the ancestral home,  for a week to visit mom,  and aunt and uncle,  where we will have a small picnic today, and finally have a celebratory anniversary for them. I will make my famous Deviled Eggs . A different Fourth this year for sure, and no huge crowds for me. But rest assure....I have my gin and a good cigar!!! Some Nicky Doll helps too.

And remember,  as Abe Lincoln said  "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."  All the more reason to vote. Also we can be patriotic for our country, she deserves it, but our GOVERNMENT must earn it!

Hope a wonderful weekend is in store everybody-

….and for those of us in the States...

Happy Fourth of July!

XOXO

CHEERS DARLINGS......ITS NATIONAL GIN DAY

Who ever invented National Gin Day was pure GINius!!!!!! 

yes dear ones.......how could a Monday get better!!!!! If your a regular reader, you'll know the Mistress is a connoisseur of gin and is , on occasion, known to take a sip or two once in awhile. Those tankers the locals see will know damn well there no oil tankers, and they aren't going to any gas station. There gin tankers heading to the Casa!!!! In honor of the day did you know.........

 

Gin is for cock-a-tails, but can be drunk alone. Gin though is meant to be mixed, however, as the botanicals come to life in cocktails, hence why so many classic cocktails call for gin.

 

There are more cocktails that call for gin than any other libation.

 

Holland is actually said to have had the first version of gin, even though it's England's national spirit. The English were fighting the Thirty Years War, and saw Dutch soldiers drinking Jenever to boost morale before heading to battle. The term Dutch Courage was born and the English brought the idea of making and drinking gin back with them. I have also read the French may have had an early recipe for gin as early as the late 1700's.

 

A martini was originally made with gin and meant for gin. Gin, dry vermouth and optional bitters. It was later hijacked by Smirnoff's campaign as "three martini lunch", and the cool factor of James Bond.

 

Did you know gin can be used for medicinal purposes??? That's why the mistress drinks so much of it. And I'm hardly EVER sick. Coincidence?

 

The Philippines, and not the Casa du Borghese, are said to drink the most gin, contrary to popular belief .

 

Gin can have many ingredients, and its main one is Juniper Berries. After that there are very few limits to the hundreds of other botanicals used, with some distilleries using as many as 31!!!! Some of my favorites are Hendricks with a cucumber and rose flavor, Magellan, with an Iris flavor, Bombay Sapphire with hints of lemongrass and black pepper, Aviation with a lavender undertone , and the smooth Bluecoat Gin, with very sharp Juniper flavor

 

No two gins are alike, making it one of the most diverse spirits in flavor and exciting for gin hounds like yours truly and bartenders.

 

Blue Coat is our local Philadelphia distillery and one of the newest on the market. In recent years, its one of the best selling of new gins, and is quickly getting attention by gin connoisseurs for its very smooth taste.

 So three cheers for NATIONAL GIN DAY!!!!

NOT that I needed an excuse to enjoy a tipple! But just remember.....there's always time for a gin and tonic.

HAVE A SPECTACULAR FOURTH OF JULY

 

Yes..... yours truly is feeling patriotic today!!!!

 

Even the doves are digging old glory!

 

I'll be out for a picnic today with friends, and have already entertained my new hunky neighbor, who just moved from Denver, (oh I didn't mention that sooner), and another good neighbor, for morning muffins and mimosas and watched our little hamlet's July Fourth parade. It's a bit cool, and hopefully the rain will hold out for my friends BBQ. Meanwhile on my last vacation, I also visited the Capital Street Duo, who have there summer courtyard all bejeweled......

 

Meanwhile I'm all set. Patriotism.check. Gin.check.Cigar. check.........

 

Have a wonderful weekend everybody~

...and for those of us here in the States, Happy Fourth of July!

~XOXO*

Could Ginday Get any Better?

I'll be tied up most of the day..... but I'm very excited,  for my good friend's the Capital Street Duo are coming for a visit today and delivering my very big package for me. Whilst on vacation I was shopping with the Dame at an antiques market and found something I just HAD TO HAVE and at a give-away price. Why I hadn't found a deal like that since a got  my two Brazilian twin houseboys for the price......oh opps, that was not to be common knowledge, my supplier would have my head! you know dears, sometimes when you have to much coffee in the morning it just throws off one's equilibrium. ANYHO, because of the new edition, the whole room has had to get a face lift, including a new floor!!!!!! I just hope the Dame can keep her hands off the Master's stick shift long enough till they get here, I'd hate to see a mishap on the turnpike!!!! I'll share with y'all soon! After my package gets in the door, we will head to New Hope to window shop and indulge in some dinner and celebrate...... because today is also..........

WORLD GIN DAY!

 

 

And thanks for the Mistress Mj for reminding me of this, so you can thank her! So I say......

 

 

I know , I know, your saying " Does the Mistress really need a World Gin Day to celebrate?"

 

And as I told Mistress MJ, hell no! Every hour here is gin day! But how fun to have anyway. And did you know that gin's predominant flavor is from juniper berries? That's the main reason some people don't like the flavor, plus it has distillations of many  botanicals. You know me, I drink gin at least once a day....probably why I am never sick. And I have them all, each label with it's own distinct taste and contrary to popular belief, Blue Coat Gin, which is made in Philadelphia, IS NOT THE MISTRESS'S Distillery! But is it smooth dears.........

 

 

So I say let us all have a wonderful Gin Filled Saturday and lets get started at the Casa Entrance for something different......