Porch swing

Yesterday I said I was going to whip a Chile-nectarine Smash when I got home, but it turned out that the nectarines I had were still crisp and crunchy, exactly how I like to eat them. So instead of attempting to pulverize the fruit into submission, I changed gears and went with a pitcher of the Porch Swing: gin, Pimm's, lemonade, and some bubbles. I didn't have cucumbers and so substituted mint for a fresh note, and went with the output of my beloved Sodastream instead of using lemon soda. It was refreshing and tangy (I went light on the simple syrup), and I hogged most of it instead of sharing equitably with Mike.

Porch Swing

• 3 tbsp gin (I used Tanqueray)
• 3 tbsp Pimm's No. 1
• 1/2 cup lemonade (juiced lemons + simple syrup [which is 1 part water to 1 part sugar])
• bubbly water or lemon/lime soda to top
• 10 thinly sliced half moons of cucumber (or, in my case, torn leaves of a sprig of mint)

Pour gin, Pimm's and lemonade into a tall glass, add ice cubes and a splash of soda/bubbly water. Garnish with cucumber slices (or bruise mint and add).