You move to a new city, in a new country.
The place is yours.
Your first year there, you lovingly labor over each room, each nook, each corner.
In fits of manic inspiration, you put up wallpaper and take a toothbrush to the bathroom tiles.
You spend what feels like an obscene amount of money on a couch, and install bookshelves.
You buy the first wave of plants you will kill.
You make a home.
Six years later, the project isnt even close to finished.
You have, rather unceremoniously, become a statisticyou have been renovicted.
So you find a new place, under time constraint and duress.
Rents are at an all-time high.
But never mind, theres air-conditioning!
And a big kitchen with an island!
Within the first three days, the washing machine breaks.
Then you discover a leak under the kitchen sink.
While unpacking boxes, you see a shadow scurry across the floor.
You are not hallucinating.
Like, a lot of mice.
In the middle of a heatwave.
You have lived in this apartment for less than two weeks.
There is a cocktail for every occasion.
A sour is mercifully dependable.
So Ive been making a version with berries, mint, and gin.
Berries, because I forgot I bought them and they are about to go bad.
Mint, because the cooling effect of menthol is much needed.
Gin, because it does what its supposed to do and doesnt gaslight me like my landlord.
Shaken up, because I have plenty of pent-up frustration to help aerate a drink into dazzling deliciousness.
I bet even the mice will enjoy.
*a water glass of mezcal with a plate of salted lime wedges has also been in rotation.
Gently squeeze the mint leaves in your hand before placing in your shaker tin.
Add berries and briefly muddle.
Add other ingredients and fill the shaker with ice.
Shake for about 12-16 seconds and strain into your chilled coupe.
Drink immediately, exhale.
Repeat as neededjust be sure to stay hydrated.
