21 May 2010

Off My Back: Gin & Bitter Lemon Safari

Mr & Mrs Cagney - 1955 by Eve Arnold






The very generous Giuseppe, from An Affordable Wardrobe , gave me this tie during a recent visit to NYC. It seems made for an early '90s Willis & Geiger shirt that's been in the back of my closet some 14 years. And while I'm just about khaki'ed out, I thought it deserved mention for the end of twill and drill week.

Throw on the safari gear 'cause you're gonna have to do some exploring for this mixer. The Canada Dry is out there but it doesn't come close to Schweppes. One bottle like this one, just enough for a drink, is almost $2 at Myers of Kenswick but it's worth it. Not unlike a G&T, a G&BL is smoother and not as crisp but perfect for Summer nights up on the roof.

18 comments:

JMW said...

Great tie, and that drink sounds great - may have to have one this evening. :)

TRVS said...

Will add to my hunting expedition list...my favortie sort of summer cocktail.

Main Line Sportsman said...

I agree that the Schweppes BL is great...Fairly easy to find at Beer distibutors(Penna anachronism) here in Philly area...try it with Mount Gay Rum and a dash of Angostura Bitters...fantastic...

tintin said...

JMW- If you can't find BL try mixing a little sugar with tonic. It ain't real but it's close.

TRVS- Try any Brit grocery store. Otherwise the Schweppes is unavailable.

Main Line- Easy to find in Phila? I just called Belle Vista, Society Hill, Montogomery, Springfield, Stones, Philadelphia and Sommerton beer distr and not a one carries Schweppes. Where are you getting yours?

Anonymous said...

Canada Dry makes BL that is easily obtainable here in PA.

Anonymous said...

Poplin pants...yes. Poplin shirts...never. Just could not abide by the feel of it or the drape, for some reason.

But GB&L...always.

-DB

Anonymous said...

When I saw that tie on G's web site I asked if he would sell it to me (live in Laguna Beach - kind of far for a flea market pop up visit) - he never responded so I'm glad it found a good home.

Laguna Beach Fogey said...

Wonderful tie and shirt combination, Tintin. It works for me.

K.A. Adams said...

Whilst in college back in the 80's I worked summers at an old school trad shop that sold Wills & Geiger.

I had a few great pieces that I eventually gave away because I rarely wore them

Wish I had held on to them.

One just can't find that quality anymore

Anonymous said...

Willis & Geiger makes its clothes for men who are 5' 9"" -- 5' 10" at a stretch.

Nuff said.

TRVS said...

I meant "favorite" sort of summer cocktail :) Thanks for the tip, if I find some I'll let you know the source. Come to think of it, my grandfather always had this in the bar...I knew it looked familiar...

tintin said...

Anon 20:55 Canada Dry makes BL that's available everywhere. This is about Schweppes.

DB - Rotzee?

Anon 10:32- I told him it was going in the casket with me.

LBT- Thanks. Mike Hoare had one just like it.

KA Adams- I gave some of it away too but still have 2 waxed cotton coats, a white OCBD and a tennis sweater. From my cold clenched hnads -- or I'll take $50 on Pay Pal.

Anon 22:08 Ouch, f stick. You know how to hurt a guy.

TRVS- It was everywhere and then it disappeared. I remember short squat green bottles (they'd probably look good in Willis & Geiger) with crap floating around the bottom. Probably why Yanks stopped buying it.

Easy and Elegant Life said...

Used to drink Bitter Lemon as a kid. The O Club in Holland stocked it, I think. Schweppes is better.

Aron said...

I love mixing the bitter lemon with a alcohol to suit my mood--amaro, gin--they're all delicious.

tintin said...

Easy- I din't know there was an O Club in Michigan.

Aron- What's amaro?

Easy and Elegant Life said...

Right off the lake...

Brunssum. Lots of smoked herring.

tintin said...

I love herring.

Matthew Forss said...

Hi,
Do you have any Willis & Geiger gear for sale? Any old catalogs? Let me know. Thanks.

Matt
worldmusicman2002@yahoo.com