Here’s to You Aunt Ruth

My Great-Aunt Ruth lived to be 93. She was a dynamic woman and one of my all-time favorite people. When I was 4, Aunt Ruth gave me my first teddy bear, the old fashioned kind with movable legs. In my teens, she became my costume jewelry sensei, teaching me which were bakelite, cut glass, vintage crystals and which were just plain fun. And most importantly, (when I was older still) she taught me how to enjoy gin.

She loved gimlets. When I was close to 21 and she was approaching 82, we drank a lot of them together. She enjoyed the complexity of gin over vodka, gin’s fragrance and the sweet-tart kick of the lime (most often from Rose’s Lime Juice) in a gimlet. Always fashionable, she loved when they’d serve it to her in a coupe glass – how extraordinarily elegant.

When she died, my cousins and I discussed these gimlets at length. If I could go back to her funeral and the week after it, I’d make pitchers of gimlets for all of us. She would have gotten such a kick out of that. And that idea, in fact is a very good one – and one worthy of sharing – especially in times of loss. Spirits can be lifted with well, spirits.

So, if you have a close friend or family member who has lost someone (and it’s only appropriate if you’re ‘like family’ or actually are family to the grieving), consider making a batch of the deceased person’s favorite cocktail and bring it to the family, garnishes in tow. It’s a poignant way to celebrate their life and wish them onward wherever their traditions say they will go.

So here’s to you, Aunt Ruth. Thanks for the memories.

For more gin cocktails see our  Orange Ginger Gin & Tonics recipe. 

Gin Gimlet

 

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Prep time

5 mins

Total time

5 mins

 

This classic cocktail was often made with Rose's Lime Juice. We like the nostalgia of the overly sweet and tart mixer and use it in this drink. While that's how we most often make these, we wouldn't shy away from doing a more modern, fresh version with simple syrup and lime juice (really a step away from a gin fizz). Either way, garnish with lime or cucumber, if you prefer. As for the gin choice, my Aunt Ruth would say, just use what you have, but practical knowledge would tell us that a dry London style gin would be best here, so Plymouth, or Beefeater works, and it doesn't have to be fancy. More botanical leaning gins work (like Hendricks, pictured here), but you can lose some of its delicate complexity in the assertiveness of the lime.

Recipe type: Drinks

Occasion: Condolences

Serves: 12 drinks

Ingredients

• For a pitcher:
• 24 ounces gin (3 cups)
• 8 ounces Rose's Lime Juice (1 cup)
• 12 lime wedges, garnish

Instructions

1. Measure the gin and Rose's Lime Juice and add to a tall glass pitcher. Stir to combine.
2. Fill a drink shaker with ice, add approximately 2⅔ oz (about ⅓ cup) of liquid to the drink shaker, cover and shake and strain into a coupe or martini glass.

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