Tonight Brandon and I are headed to my ten year high school reunion. Ten years! I was definitely one of the ones that left town after graduation and kind of never looked back. I went to school with roughly the same 100 kids since the age of five, so yeah, come age 18, I was itching for a change. And while I enjoyed high school, I wouldn’t say I loved it. It wasn’t my time, you know? College and beyond- totally my time. But in high school I was still pretty timid, at times bordering on shy. Yep this girl here, with a full on blog for the entire world to see! While I go home often to see my family, I’ve always kind of shied away from the “town” crowd.  That said, I made a lot of good friendships (though I’ve only kept up two or three…eek), and am really looking forward to seeing some faces I haven’t seen in literally ages.

Needless to say, I’m planning on a cocktail or two to help take the edge off and these Lemony Gin + Ginger coolers totally fit the bill. This is a not to miss CC bevy. It’s light, irresistibly fizzy, and packs a great lemony zing. And don’t they dress up nicely in these Ball Heritage Collection Blue Pint Jars? I’m so excited to use them all summer long. Reunion or not, you need to make this cocktail. On that note though, high school, did you love it? Was it “your time”? I’d so love to know. Get back to me and happy weekending! xx

Lemony Gin + Ginger Coolers

Makes 2 drinks

  • 1 1/2 cups club soda
  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3 oz (or more) gin
  • sliced lemons for garnish

Make the Ginger Syrup (recipe from Martha Stewart)

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 piece (about 10 inches long and 4 ounces; or use several small pieces) fresh ginger, peeled and cut into very thin rounds

Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add ginger; bring to a simmer. Remove from heat, and let steep 30 minutes. Pour syrup through a fine sieve into an airtight container; discard ginger. Cool completely.

Make the soda: Mix together the club soda, lemon juice, and six tablespoons of chilled ginger syrup. This soda will serve as your base for two cocktails. They’ll be plenty of syrup leftover, so you can make many more.
Make the cocktail: Fill two mason jars or tumblers with ice, pour in 1.5 oz gin into each glass (or more than one shot if you prefer). Divide the soda mixture between the two glasses. Stir, garnish with lemon, and serve immediately.
Thank you Ball for the beautiful set of blue Ball® Heritage Collection pint jars!
  1. I had a very similar high school experience. My graduating class was only 64 kids, and we’d known each other since pre-school. I was so ready to bust out! & I never turned back. I’m from CT and made up my mind that I would be living in NY after graduation and I did! Couldn’t afford the city, but I’ve grown to love Long Island.

  2. Amy

    Sounds tasty…and LOVE those Ball Jars.

  3. If you peaked in High School that would have been so sad! I’m definitely one to embrace the 30s and beyond too!

    I don’t think I’ll ever go to a high school reunion but moving back to my hometown recently has been a sort of reunion. I couldn’t be more thankful for the life I have now and proud of who I’ve become but if I have any uncomfortable run ins with fellow graduates, I’ll just pretend to have that mason jar full of Lemmony Gin in my hand!

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