I have been wanting to do a collaboration with someone on the blog for awhile, you know one of those “I’ll get to it eventually” recurring posts. Well, people, today is the day! I have a coworker who also happens to be a wonderful friend as well as an extremely talented cocktail connoisseur. I ran the idea of a series of “Cocktails with Kate” by her and she (hopefully gladly) accepted. I wanted to know what got her interested in mixology as well as where her inspiration comes from:
I have always loved food but wine and cocktails have been my ever faithful side chick – always there when you need a pick-me-up or just want to have a good time. I remember (somewhat) chatting with a bartender at Laszlo whose love for unique yet palatable drinks inspired me to explore this new art through tonics, muddled fruits, juices and small batch or local spirits. Soon after my fancy bar cart and shiny shaker arrived my world seemed to fall apart. I was fired from my job, broke up with my boyfriend with whom I was living and had to move.
Feeling sorry for myself and needing something to occupy my time, I immediately turned to my trustworthy mistress – booze! Learning how to artistically shake up a tasty bev was quite possibly the best thing that happened to me post f***boy affair. I had a new and exciting hobby that facilitated the drunken laughs and sorrows that I need in order to shake (pun intended) my sadness.
Food can be so diverse and complex I never thought that level of variety could be applied to cocktails. San Francisco is the mecca for all things food, wine, and cocktails which have all allowed me to explore the intricacy of a fine craft cocktail. There have been few things more enjoyable than testing a new cocktail recipe surrounded by people I love.
Gin and Tonic – because of all the variations you can make with it!
The Old Fashion – First reason, because it’s my dad’s favorite cocktail. Second reason, because it’s the perfect blend of the flavor/booze ratio – making for a perfect tasting (and feeling) cocktail!
In celebration of Kate’s craft let’s have the first cocktail!
- 1 Large Ice Cubes
- 1.5 oz Spirit works Gin
- 3 oz Betty Jane Tonic
- 1/2 pink grapefruit slice, sliced in half
- 1 oz Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
- a few juniper berries
- Fresh Thyme sprigs
- Chill the drinking glass for a half hour.
- Add ice to the glass.
- Pour the grapefruit juice and gin into the glass.
- Add a grapefruit half, the juniper berries, and thyme sprig to the glass.
- Add the tonic and stir before drinking.
- Enjoy!
Recipe Loosely Adapted from Craft and Cocktails
WOW – I love this entry! Who wouldn’t want to taste this beautiful cocktail – gin lover or not! Always fun to read your blogs, Rachel!