There are days when it is clear things aren’t going to work out the way you expected, when things are cancelled, those disappointing rainy days. I’m bad about taking them to heart, getting bummed about what might have been and overlooking how things can still be. Today’s cocktail is kinda like one of those days. I came home all fired up to make something kind of original, something I thought of today in a challenging moment, only to find I lack one crucial ingredient. Granted, that’s not a big loss, but when thrown on top of the rest of the day, it felt like a thing. Part of me just wanted to skip it and go for a walk, in the rain, petulantly. At that moment, I heard my buddy Robert’s disembodied voice in my head, like Yoda or crazy old Ben Kenobi, reminding me of that TOM Creative Group adage that, “Not every job is worth doing, is worth doing well.” So, I decided to phone it in, which is ironic for posts created entirely on my phone. Anyway, I looked at the ingredients that were already out and handy, remembered another drink that looked “ok” that used them and decided to go low effort with The Verdant Lady. 

Face it, if this one weren’t easy we wouldn’t be doing it. So, grab your tins and pop in 1 1/2 ounces of gin, Mischief once again cause it was there, 1/2 ounce of fresh squeezed lime juice, 1/4 ounce of simple syrup and 1/4 ounce of green chartreuse. Drop in 4-5 large mint leaves, some ice and shake. Shake really hard, get those frustrations out while making sure the ice releases and incorporates all those mint oils. When finished, double strain into something tall that will concentrate the really amazing bouquet of these ingredients. Then get fancy to garnish it, I picked a pretty sprig of fresh mint, washed it in cold water, slapped it around a bit, cause mint likes that and then used my long tweezers to place it upright, submerged in the drink. A quick peel of lime expressed on the rim and you are ready to serve. 

I had no hopes for this drink, it doesn’t sound that interesting and we all know, I’m phoning it in. Well, I’m phoning in the effort, but my execution was spot on. So, in taking that first sip I was blown away. This drink is so good. Mint forward, with a bright finish from the citrus and gin, balanced by that smooth herbal bitter bottom from the chartreuse. I’m gonna make this riff on The Last Word, again. A lot. So, there you go a phoned in bit of nothing, an “I made an effort, give me a C” performance that resulted in something truly special. Just goes to show the even when things are frustrating and you don’t want to go on, stick with it, make an effort, cause sometimes magic happens. Stay safe, stay hydrated and stay sane, my friends.