Cocktails/ Recipe

The Gin Old Fashioned (aka I know nothing)

You know when you think you know something but then you realize you don’t know anything at all?

Yeah. That just happened.

Gin Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe - She Eats

I’ve realized as I make my way into my early mid 30’s how little I really do know. Ya know? I pretty much know nothing – zip a dee doo dah.

Well that’s not entirely true. I know how to boil water and I have a pretty firm grasp on how to remain upright (most of the time) given I haven’t had too many bourbon soaked cherries, and I’m fairly certain I know that the government is hiding something about black bean burgers from us.

But that’s pretty much about it.

Gin Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe - She Eats

It’s so funny. When I was an perky teenager (and I mean that in more ways than one) I didn’t know anything nor did I pretend to. I was so full of shits and giggles that it didn’t occur to me there was more to know than my immediate universe.

Gin Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe - She Eats

Then I became old enough – and only barely mature enough – to finish high school, move out on my own and start making decisions sans the daily influence of the parental units. I thought I knew everything. Who I was, who you were, how the world functioned. I knew it all. I was even sure for a little while that if you didn’t agree with me, I knew better.

Phillips Gin - She Eats

Like most half drunk, quarter naked, fully crazy 20-somethings, I was a self-obsessed neurotic douche bag.

Then I turned 30. Thank god.

Gin Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe - She Eats

And suddenly there were lumps where there weren’t lumps before – it seems nightly jagger-bombs chased up with a healthy heaping plate of duck fat fries goes straight to my ass.

So I stopped trying to down a kegger every weekend and all the crap that comes with it.

I started eating more vegetables and less canned tuna fish and kraft dinner “casserole”.

I started making decisions that made me feel good for longer than 7 minutes.

I started living in the moment and planning for my life.

I started participating in activities that nourished my heart soul, strengthened my body and brought me closer to kindred spirits.

I started listening more and talking less.

Phillips Fermentorium in Victoria British Columbia - She Eats

In essence, I stopped being a self-obsessed neurotic douche bag and started being an actual human and treating others like actual humans.

And in it, learned that I know absofuckinglutely nothing at all.

Sure I have some book knowledge and general ideas about what I consider to be right or wrong. I think I know who our Prime Minster (unfortunately) is. But I’m much more open to new experiences, people and challenges. I’m optimistic for real social, environmental and food system change because you never know when some great mind who knows more than I do will show up and throw the smack down!

Unless I’m not. On those not so open and optimistic days I acknowledge that I may not even know myself from time to time. And that’s okay.

Gin Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe - She Eats

I hope I keep learning how little I really do know. It’s awfully humbling and inspiring to find out new things. I hope I never stop growing and changing. Emotionally, mentally, spiritually, intellectually… Preferably not physically.

Yikes.

At least I’ve got some sun on those gams right now. Praise the sun gods!

So what spurred all this internal reflection about knowledge you ask? Like all great life revelations, I came awares after a bottle of wine (that happens, right?)

In sum, I thought I knew what an Old Fashioned was. Intimately. Sinfully. She and I, we share the same bed don’t you know. That’s no secret. Cat’s out of the bag, as it were.

Turns out, I was deliciously and egregiously wrong.

Gin Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe - She Eats

I had no idea what she could be. As it turns out, I also love my gin. Really great craft gin. Like the new Stump Gin from Phillip’s Fermentorium on Vancouver Island. It’s incredibly herbacious, floral and all kinds of pretty.

Now you could use it to make the best damn g & t you’ve ever had – they have a range of 4 craft tonics (I highly recommend the cucumber mint one) to pair with the gin.

Or you can  take a life lesson like I did and get a little crafty and a little She Eats on that glass’s ass and see a side of her you ain’t never seen before. This drink is loyal to my roots yo, Golden Retriever style. An homage to the best cocktail in existence: The Old Fashioned.

Yes. My roots are made out of bourbon. I ain’t your average tree, yo.

Gin Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe - She Eats

The Gin Old Fashioned is simple, strong and something any booze hound will love. Including self identified bourbonators like myself.

As with any simple 4 ingredient dish, there’s no where for shitty flavours to hide – so just make sure you start with the best gin you can afford.

Le sigh. I remember the days when Phillips just put out the best beer in the world. I’m not even exaggerating. I go gaga for the stuff, lady style. But it looks like they’re growing up and out and onto new things. Including my over-30 ass. Who ‘s ready for some easy listening light rock?

The Gin Old Fashioned

Yield 2 drinks

Ingredients

  • 4 Oz Good Quality Gin
  • Dash of Angostura bitters
  • 2 Sugar cubes
  • Zest of an orange or lemon
  • Ice
  • Optional: 4 fresh blueberries to garnish

Instructions

  1. Divide the sugar cubes into 2 glasses.
  2. Saturate with bitters - give it a good couple shakes or so.
  3. Top with 2 shots of gin and muddle until the sugar breaks down and begins to dissolve in the mixture.
  4. Add as much ice as makes you happy and stir for about 45 seconds.
  5. Run the zest of the citrus along the top of each glass. Twist and squeeze to release some oil and drop into the mixture or skewer with blueberries and place on side of the glass.
  6. Bottoms up.

Notes

To easily get a nice strip of zest, cut the bum and top off the citrus so it sits flat on the counter. Then take a pairing knife and starting from the top, make your way along the skin of the fruit, avoiding the pithy white part and flesh. Ta-da! Once you do it a couple times you can go the other way around the fruit (horizontal) and try to make a nice long strip!

 

What do you know? What don’t you know? Ever have a major life revelation under the influence of wine? Do you enjoy gin? What’s your go to drink?

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Phillip’s Fermentorium Distilling Co dropped off a bottle of gin and their 4 tonics at no cost. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions and information is entirely accurate and a reflection of my true experience and was not influenced, in any way, by the above mentioned products or companies. Opinions and views are my own. Because that’s how I roll, yo. I’ve never been one to shut my mouth – I’m not going to start now.

  • Meaghan
    June 26, 2015 at 9:35 AM

    First definitely swapping out the bourbon for gin in this weekends Old Fashioned. I only wish we could get Stump Gin in Alberta it sounds delightful! Second sounds like we had the same shameful 20’s .. Ahh good times but bring on the light rock, better booze, and farmers markets. Although this early 30s girl still loves the odd box of KD πŸ˜‰ Thanks for another great cocktail!!
    Meaghan recently published…Bourbon BBQ Baby Back RibsMy Profile

  • Teresa
    June 26, 2015 at 5:31 PM

    This ridiculously hot weekend definitely calls for gin cocktails. Or wine spritzers, to go all Eighties on this heatwave. As for knowing things, the longer I move through life, the more I realize that the field of what can be known is wider than I’d ever imagined and the scope of what I can know is narrower than I’d like it to be. I side for inclusion, equity, and caring for one another – it’s enough to keep me on the right track, even when I’ve got a lot to learn.
    Teresa recently published…Headed for a HeatwaveMy Profile

  • Jayme
    June 26, 2015 at 11:31 PM

    Lady love, I relish this post of yours!

    I seriously thought I knew it all about ten years ago. And to think I know it all now is a travesty. Just think what we’ll know in 20 or so more years! I look back at photos from my 20s, and I see a carefree, fun-loving soul, but I remember what was going on inside my head: angst, comparison, unsettled nerves, insecurity. Why can’t we just embrace the “NOW” and enjoy ALL of what it has to offer – the unknown, the fear, the joy, the raw.

    And, seriously, how can I get my hands on this fine gin you talk about? I could trade you with my fave-of-the-moment, Ransom’s Old Tom Gin. You’ll die, think you’re in heaven, flutter back to a world you’ve never lived in (prior to your current one), and return an old, enlightened sage. One that is coolly confident in his/her state of not-knowing-everything. Wow. I just tripped here on this page. I fell you were with me, but I might have been just sipping my rosΓ© a little too quickly…

    Love you and LOVE this post. And, seriously, is there a way I can obtain a bottle of this? You know my Canadian love obsession; don’t you? πŸ˜‰
    Jayme recently published…rhubarb + strawberry shrub mojito | the reset buttonMy Profile

    • Kristy Gardner
      July 13, 2015 at 9:18 AM

      I totally agree with you Jayme. Completely. I look back at photos and see how loosy-goosy I was but really, it was a time frought with bad relationships, growth, awkwardness and way too many hangovers. I’m much happier as a 30 something and I’m MUCH more present. This is better πŸ™‚

      PSI definitely want to swap gins with you!! Maybe we should plan a mid-way between weekend and we can each bring one with us. I can smuggle a bottle over the border. Seattle maybe?? They’ll never know πŸ˜‰
      Kristy Gardner recently published…#PopsicleWeek: Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita PopsiclesMy Profile

  • Jayme
    June 26, 2015 at 11:33 PM

    *felt πŸ˜‰
    Jayme recently published…rhubarb + strawberry shrub mojito | the reset buttonMy Profile

  • Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
    June 29, 2015 at 2:50 AM

    I’m pretty sure most of us know nothing, or at least nothing beyond our own reality. The good ones realize it and then grow, like this drink or you going from your twenties to your thirties…just wait until you hit the late 30’s. A while new world awaits.

  • Homemade & Yummy
    July 3, 2015 at 10:27 AM

    HAHAHA…you are too funny!! I think for sure I am “older” than all of you writing/commenting so far….YUP…I’m a gramma so that makes me the oldest for sure. I know nothing about Gin….my husband likes Bourbon and Scotch…I like Wine (Red & White). I still feel like I know “nothing” for a lot of things. I know I didn’t know anything about making a blog/website before I started…and sometimes still don’t. I know “nothing” about photography….yet I’m supposed to be taking awesome pictures. I do know that I am a wife, mom and gramma…and I’m ok with that. If you think you know nothing now….I hate to tell you it doesn’t seem to get better later….just ask my hormones LOL!! Keep up the great funny writing Kristy…you kow how to make people laugh!!
    Homemade & Yummy recently published…Roasted Eggplant MedleyMy Profile

    • Kristy Gardner
      July 13, 2015 at 9:21 AM

      hahahaha I’m okay with not knowing I think. Most of the time. It’s the adventure that counts, right?

      Also: Your husband has excellent taste. I too, am a bourbon drinker. But I like my wine too. Oh, the dinner parties we could have! πŸ˜‰

      PS. Your blog is looking amazing darling! I’m so stoked to be part of your community. I think a lot of us pretend we know what we’re doing but really, this is all one continuous giant experiment. We can figure it all out together.
      Kristy Gardner recently published…#PopsicleWeek: Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita PopsiclesMy Profile

  • La Cuisine d'Helene
    July 3, 2015 at 11:01 AM

    Such a great drink, looks refreshing!
    La Cuisine d’Helene recently published…Vanilla Ice Cream – {and a GIVEAWAY}My Profile

  • Ethan
    July 3, 2015 at 3:41 PM

    I think an important key is knowing how much (or little) you know. So consider Step 1 complete in your journey πŸ™‚ Step 2 is having a drink. Check and check!
    Ethan recently published…Life Gets In the Way and Working My Way Through ItMy Profile

  • Mel @ avirtualvegan.com
    July 3, 2015 at 8:04 PM

    This looks great! Cant wait to try it!