Postcards from Grandma | New recipe from Goa!

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:

HOW TO MAKE IT:

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.

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