My favorite girls, and a drink

When my lovely Sugie was here a few weeks ago I made these drinks because I'd been thinking of trying something like this and there is nobody better to try out a new drink idea on than Sugie because she is my biggest fan and loves me and almost everything I do and also because she loves alcohol and it's hard to imagine a booze concoction I couldn't get her to drink. Even if it was really bad I think I could just say it was five daquiris and she'd probably love it.

Fortunately, these were really good and I didn't have to get cranky thinking she was just patronizing me. Worked out for everyone, eh?!

Drinks
Makes two

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
large knob ginger
1 large english cucumber, roughly chopped
Hendricks gin (or another if you prefer)
limes
mint and / or candied ginger for garnish, if you'd like

Put the sugar and water in a pan, chop the ginger roughly, skin and all and add to the pan. Stir to dissolve sugar while bringing to a boil. Once boiling, let boil for three minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the pan and let steep for 20-30 minutes. Strain and chill.

In a food processor, pulse the cucumber, skin and all until it is very pureed. Strain the juice and discard the grainy leftovers.

Add ice to two glasses and pour in a good bit of gin, as much as you'd like. Add the simple syrup, cucumber and lime juice to taste and stir. Garnish with mint and / or ginger if you fancy.

Note: We ended up using the leftover ginger simple syrup in tequilla drinks, rum drinks, poured over watermelon with lemon.... yum. Very versatile and very delicious.



On an entirely unrelated note, but also involving girls I favor, this is Keely (Loopy, Sloopy, Sloops, Tucker, Tucker-kins, Monkey, etc...). She is staying with my parents while I'm in New York and has been going to work on the construction site all week trying to enforce a no power tools policy, but not really succeeding. She has managed to charm the pants of of pretty much everyone though with her winning personality and impeccable behavior, and I have to say, I'm absolutely busting with pride. Busting!! Today, it appears she has gone to the beach and gotten sand all over her face but nowhere else. She is really good about doing that shake move and getting all sand and water completely gone instantly, but I guess maybe the part that she can't get to mobilize is the smooth face skin so all the sand stayed and I'm glad because it makes for a cute picture. She played with a chocolate lab at the beach and now her grandma is trying to teach her a new trick but she's not liking it very much. I wonder what the trick is!?! Thanks for the pictures and puppy update, Mama!