#HappyHourClub 03 / By Train! { AKA the Gin Rickey }

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All aboard! We're switching gears and taking the gin train in honor of Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner train from LA to San Diego. Last year I made the journey from Los Angeles to SD for Mother's Day. It was my first time on a train in the states (unless you count Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland).

Channeling my inner Harry Potter and looking for Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, which I failed to find, made for an exciting adventure. I felt as if I'd gone back into time. Looking out the train window at the Pacific Coast spoiled me with nostalgic feelings flooding my brain. I began thinking about Atlas Shrugged and how much better it would have been if I actually read it on the train.

So how do I capture this feeling in a drink? Good question. For that I had to reach out to my good friend and master cocktail maker, Nicole Pisano. She immediately suggested a Gin Rickey, Fitzgerald's drink of choice. Now I have to admit, I'm not a big gin drinker so this was a whole new world to me. Luckily Esquire was able to provide me a simple recipe for this romantic idea. I switched it up by substituting my lavender infused gin, created with homegrown lavender from good friends The Oltras. If you're ready to take the journey By Train, you can find the recipe below. A big thank you to Nicole for being my muse!

#HappyHourClub 03 / By Train! { AKA the Gin Rickey }

I’ve recently been experimenting with gin, after a suggestion from friend and cocktail curator, Sandra Harris. I have to say, gin today is definitely different from my college days. Actually, let’s be truthful: I have better taste now than in my bottom shelf years. Lesson learned.

Ingredients for Gin Rickey:

  • 1/2 ounce lime juice
  • 2 ounces Lavender infused gin
  • Club soda

For infusion:

  • 1 bunch of fresh lavender or if you prefer dried lavender take Employees Only’s suggestion of 1 1/2 teaspoons.
  • Select your favorite dry gin, 750 ml size suggested. For this recipe, I used Monkey 47 since it was a small batch and I love the woody notes of this gin.
  • 1 Large Mason jar, sterilized and cleaned.

Take large Mason jar, place lavender in jar and pour in gin until it’s ready to seal. You can enjoy this infusion within 1 day if you are using dried lavender of if you are using fresh buds like I did, I would suggest 3-5 days for the infusion. Don’t be afraid to try the infusion to see if it’s to your liking before you cash in your ticket.

Now that the infusion is done, take out your Collins glass and pour in your ice. Next add in 1/2 ounce of lime juice, 2 ounces of lavender infused gin and top off with club soda. Add lime wedge and sprig of lavender for garnish and you are all set. Get ready to ride that train!

#happyhourclub, food + drink, ramblingsMarissaComment