I returned from a holiday in the US to sniffer dogs, soaring temperatures and a city in lockdown. The G20 is on this weekend in Brisbane, which means lots of fences and checkpoints, a massive police presence, disrupted public transport and an opportunity for the British PM to show up Australia’s Prime Minister by Acknowledging Country in Parliament, something Abbott failed to do. Much of Brisbane’s population has departed for the Gold or Sunshine Coasts or, with temperatures predicted to creep up into the high 30s, they have stayed inside their air-conditioned bunkers to binge watch Mad Men or The Walking Dead on pirated Netflix.
Make Do & Mend Cocktail
Indeed, there’s a hint of The Walking Dead about the empty streets of Brisbane and in our own pantry. After a seven week absence, we are living on dry goods and small gifts of fresh food from family. Who wants to accede to background checks just to get to the supermarket? The heat, the riot gear, the anti-climax of absolutely nothing newsworthy yet endless footage of motorcades. It’s enough to drive a girl to drink. In the spirit of those who endured the Blitz and their make do and mend attitude, I have created a gin cocktail based on rations to hand, to relieve the boredom and make time pass a little quicker.
I can’t lay claim to the clever name #Gin20. That must go to my friend and libation expert Stuart or, as he is known around town, The Vinsomniac. The recipe however, is my own.
#Gin20 Cocktail
Ingredients
- 30 ml gin
- 20 ml elderflower cordial
- 1/2 tspn fresh ginger, grated
- 6 mint leaves
- twist of cucumber peel
- soda water to top up (approx 120ml)
Method
- Place mint leaves in bottom of glass and gently bruise
- Add ice cubes if using, grated ginger, elderflower cordial and gin
- Top with soda water and give a gentle stir. Add cucumber peel to garnish
Best enjoyed on the porch in the breeze, far from the madding crowd.
Yes – but the motorcades are fun when you are driving in them, like some of us!
Well if you get stuck in traffic, perhaps you can make up a drink for yourself and the passengers like that guy who took us down the Zambesi. Enjoy your ‘official duties’.
You’re back at last! That is a very appealing cool drink, and very fitting for the weather in Brisbane. Tony Abbott and his party of flat earthers are being shown up in other areas too. It is sometimes so damn embarrassing to have such a cretin for a PM.
Hi Francesca – yes I’m back and making no apologies! Looking forward to catching some of your posts. You’d think I’d have time to read lots of blogs whilst I’m away but as you’d no, there’s never anytime when you travel!
Welcome Back!!!
Thanks Maria – bet you’ve seen very little of Iain with his G20 responsibilities. Looking forward to catching up.
Tony and I also indulged on the weekend. The refreshing ‘Moscow Mule’ (vodka, ginger beer, lime and mint) has been re-named ‘Shirtfront’.
Oh – I love a good Moscow Mule. I have a twist on that coming up soon on the blog. Very clever re-branding. You have too much time on your hands…
This cocktail sounds amazing. Cannot believe you were away for 7 weeks! Welcome home 🙂
It was delicious and inspired a few people to do the same. Such a hot weekend here Tandy. Over 40c on Sunday – a warm welcome back indeed!
ah good to see you back safely in brissie. what a fun weekend that was! and yep we bunkered down in the air-con. I had the same idea about a refreshing beverage and made a summery cordial. what else could we do but drink in weather like that? 🙂
Always good to be back Sherry. It seems so long ago that we talked about the EDB conference. Didn’t need that 40c day though!
ooh i am sweltering today fiona. bloody hell and it isn’t going to cool down at all either. yes it does seem like ages ago when we “spoke” about the conference:)