Dear ones —
The sun in Goa is relentless, and the air smells of spice and sea. Yesterday I wandered through the old Latin Quarter and found a shaded café where sailors and merchants swap stories.
There I met a dashing traveler who shared the secret to surviving these sweltering days: gin and tonic, its bitterness softened with lime. They say it keeps the mosquitoes (and fever) away—but I think it keeps the spirits high. I sipped, listened to the waves, and felt the world open wide. Who knew medicine could taste like adventure?Love you,
Grandma
Grandma’s Medicine
A crisp, refreshing cocktail made with gin, tonic water, and a squeeze of lime. Its bright, botanical flavor and subtle bitterness make it a timeless classic, perfect for warm days or easy evenings.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- 2 oz VARA's High Desert Gin
- 4 oz chilled tonic water
- Lime wedge or wheel for garnish
HOW TO MAKE IT:
- 1. Fill your glass with ice. Use a highball or a gin balloon glass, filling it to the top with large, solid ice cubes. More ice keeps the drink colder for longer and prevents it from getting watered down too quickly.
- 2. Add the gin. Pour 2 ounces VARA's High Desert Gin over the ice.
- 3. Pour the tonic. Slowly top with 4 ounces of chilled tonic water. Pouring slowly helps preserve the tonic's carbonation.
- 4. Garnish and stir. Squeeze a lime wedge over the drink to release its juice and oils, then drop it into the glass. Give it a gentle, quick stir to combine.
PAIR WITH:
A hot summer day
Lunch on the patio
Post dinner conversation
What I Learned
The gin and tonic isn’t just a cocktail—it started as medicine.
- 18th Century Britain & India: British officers and colonists in India faced malaria, and the treatment was quinine, extracted from the bark of the cinchona tree. Quinine was bitter, so they mixed it with sugar, lime, and soda water to make it more palatable.
The Gin Addition: British soldiers stationed abroad were already allotted gin as part of their rations. Mixing their gin with the quinine “tonic water” created a refreshing drink that also helped protect against malaria.
Cultural Legacy: By the mid-19th century, the gin and tonic had become a symbol of British colonial life in India. Over time, as tonic water became more refined (and far less bitter), the drink evolved into the crisp, refreshing cocktail we know today.
VARA High Desert Gin
Starts with a grape-based high spirit, using thirteen distinct botanicals to craft an award winning flavor profile that captures the essence of New Mexico.
Greets you with notes of juniper, followed by underlying aromas of anise, citrus, sage, and a creamy nuttiness.
Initial sips reveal bright citrus notes and a hint of coriander. It has a clean, rounded mouthfeel and a very smooth finish.
Have your own take on Grandma’s favorite new treat?
Film it. Tag @varawines.
Let us know.
Your creation could be featured in our next class or card drop.
