Gessi Tonic

ingredients

• Lime Zest
• Lime Juice
• Elderflower Cider (non-alcoholic)
• Tonic

Elderflower’s suggested volume:
- 1dl Elderflower cider
- One lime per serving
- 0,75-litre tonic
- Get the zest by grinding the surface of the lime, then squeeze out all the juice. Use a brush if the zest gets stuck on the grinder.
- Add more or less tonic depending on the size of the glass.
- For a sweeter taste, add more elderflower liquor, and for a crisper taste, add more gin.

During my vacation in the Nordic fjords, I visited a bar with a stunning view of the tall forests and sparkling lakes from its cliff location. I aimed to capture the sensations of this climate through different drinks and find inspiration to describe nature with words. However, words can only guide you, but they cannot make you experience. Therefore, I hoped to find something to capture nature through taste.

Out of all the drinks I tried, two stood out to me - Hornan Tonic and Gessi Tonic. Gessi Tonic consists of lime, tonic, and elderflower cider. The lime provided a refreshing zing reminiscent of the forest breeze, while the botanical notes of elderflower cider reminded me of the lush meadows, and the subtle sweetness danced through my taste buds like wildflowers in the fields. The bubbles of tonic water reminded me of the sparkling lakes. As I stood by the balcony, I felt the same Nordic breeze through Gessi Tonic and Hornan Tonic as the view itself.

Gin stood next to me, and I noticed he had ordered the same drink. It became our icebreaker.