More from "How to Drink", the book I read recently that got me into a cocktail spirit. I started by sketching out little info graphics of different recipes, and landed on a style. Now I've started water coloring the drinks. It's a very fun way to memorize drink recipes.

Gin Gimlet

I like recipes that have simple ratios. I think this is because I have a bad memory. The problem with this recipe is that it asks for a specific brand of an ingredient, which I think a "universal" recipes shouldn't require. Unfortunately there seem to be a bunch of cocktails that do this: 7 &7, Pimms Cup, Aperol Spritz. I'm tempted to think that this was simply a recipe the book used and isn't truly set in stone.

Mint Julep

I have to admit, I've never had a "proper" Mint Julep, the definition of which seems up for debate. As much as I enjoy the images of summer days and lazy afternoons, I don't usually like mint in any application besides toothpaste. I appreciate that the recipe from "How to Drink" merely hints with mint. When I get a mint at a bar it's swimming with the stuff, and I feel like I'm drinking salad. One thing I'm trying is combining the mint and ice by freezing mint tea.