Growing up on The Island, I was surrounded by green space. I took a lot of it for granted- as one often does during the golden days of youth- and vowed to move to The Big City (or farther) the second I graduated from high school… which I did (well, Ottawa > Europe > Australia > Vancouver).
Don’t get me wrong- I love, love, love Vancouver and it is a very green city. But, going home to visit… I feel like I can breathe, unfurl, zen out, take off my watch again (things move slower on The Island, as they tend to on most islands. I believe we call that “island time.”) Quiet forests and quiet beaches around every corner. Vancouver’s forests and beaches, while incredibly lovely, are pretty packed just about any day worth being outside.
Ah, Vancouver… I met my husband in this city and have more or less settled down here, for the foreseeable future at least. Nowhere is perfect, but this place is pretty damn close.
Something was wearing on me, though. Having grown up tear-assing throughout forests unsupervised and poking my grubby hands through tidal pools, living in an urban 550 square foot condo was exciting at first… and then very smothering. I needed space. Even a deck would be something! I needed… greeeeeeen. (I’m gettin’ old.)
So, after a handful of years of condo living, we moved to the ‘burbs (because there is no ‘buying a house’ in Vancouver proper unless you’re an NHL icon and even then…).
Yes, the commute is longer. Yes, it costs us more to get to work. But my god, I have a garden. I have a (full) kitchen. I am a happy girl.
(Even happier when I have one of these cocktails in my hand 😉 )
This light summer cocktail was inspired by the herbs I grow in my garden and the fruits currently in season (well, peaches anyway). I’m not much for sweets (as we know), but the lavender simple syrup in this drink is irresistible and perfectly compliments the herbal notes from both the basil and the gin.
Quite simply, this tastes like a glass full of summer and is just the refreshment needed on a steamy afternoon while I water my plants (and spray my dog, Hannah, with the hose periodically- she hates it but keeps running back so it’s a game now).
| Summer Garden Gin Fizz | Print |
- 1.5 oz gin
- ½ oz Martini Bianco
- ⅔ oz lavender simple syrup
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- 2-3 basil leaves, muddled
- Healthy dash peach bitters
- Lots of ice
- Carbonated spring water
- .
- Lavender Simple Syrup*
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 Tbs dried culinary lavender
- In a tall glass, muddle basil leaves.
- Add gin, Martini Bianco, lavender syrup, lemon juice and peach bitters.
- Fill glass with ice cubes and top with carbonated spring water until the glass is full.
In a medium saucepan combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil, stirring, until sugar has dissolved.
Allow the mixture to cool then add the lavender.
Refrigerate overnight then strain out lavender buds. Store in fridge.
Ohhhh this looks absolutely delicious and refreshing! Question: Could I use Vodka instead of Gin? 🙂
Great idea, absolutely try it with vodka! Since vodka is mostly flavourless it will let the herbs and bitters in the drink really take centre stage.