Ah, it’s been a busy day (and week for that matter) but I finally get to settle down and relax with today’s afternoon cocktail. A good summer drink to me is refreshingly fizzy, drinkably sweet, and slightly herbal. The Aperol Orange fizz I made a few weeks back fit the bill, and so does today’s cocktail – The Blue Bark Gin Rickey. Let’s get to work so we can take off work.

This is another one of those recipes adapted from my good friends at GQ. They never steer me wrong – except for that one time when they promoted big collared sweaters.

Image: From GQ (obvs)

True or False that was posted less than a year ago? Come on now guys. That never looked $.

Ah, but when it comes to drinks / food / or entertaining they’re what Guy Fieri would call “on point.” So when I saw this drink with a Turmeric simple syrup – how bold is that? – I just had to try it.

To start off you’re going to need to make that interesting jazz. I have some squeeze bottles I use for simple syrup (I recommend it) and I also happen to be so DIY nuts that I even painted a little label on them with chalkboard paint.

Got your bottle ready? Good, let’s make some magic.

Turmeric Simple Syrup

from Anu Apte of Rob Roy as posted in GQ

• 1/2 C Sugar
• 1/2 C Hot Water
• 1 1/2 tsp Turmeric

Directions:

Want easy? If you got a little squeeze bottle like I do, then you just put your finger or a piece of foil over the tip and shake it up ’til everything is good and mixed.

*Side note: I used my finger (it was washed), so if you come over and I make you one then you’ll know “My finger’s on your lips…My finger’s on your lips“

Next, the drink…

Blue Bark Gin Rickey

adapted from Anu Apte of Rob Roy as posted in GQ

• 1 lime (cut into pieces)
• 13 blueberries (since it’s Friday the 13th)
• 1 1/2 oz Gin
• 1/2 oz Turmeric Simple Syrup (from above)
• 1/4 oz St. Germain (for more herbal notes)
• Carbonated water or Topo Chico

Directions:

Get your blueberries and lime and muddle them into submission into the bottom of your Boston Shaker.

Add all the remaining ingredients, fill with ice, shake-shake-shake, and then strain into an ice-filled glass.

Top with some carbonated water (we have one of those soda machine thing-a-ma-jigs) or  a Topo chico and enjoy.

You can definitely taste the turmeric in this, and it adds an interesting note that also kind of coats the roof of your mouth. In other words it has a bit of an herbal bite that’ll linger after the drink is good and gone. I like it.

Happy Friday the 13th.