Chandler Bing

"The bartender set the drink in front of me. With the lime juice it has a sort of pale greenish yellowish misty look. I tasted it. It was both sweet and sharp at the same time. The woman in black watched me. Then she lifted her own glass towards me. We both drank. Then I knew hers was the same drink." - Raymond Chandler, The Long Goodbye.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m on the beach, I reach for two things: a good book and something light and crisp, something refreshing. On your next beach getaway, while devouring a Raymond Chandler masterpiece, have your cabana boy bring you and the dame a bottle of sparkling, a bucket of ice, a lime, and a couple spears of brandied cherries.

Fill your glass with ice. Flash your flask filled to the brim with your favorite gin. Pour the gin over the ice 2/3 of the way full, squeeze in half-a-lime’s worth of juice, and top with soda. Chase your first few sips with a bite of brandied cherry for a sugary zing so good it’ll make you say, “Bing!”

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Recipe Originally published by Max Wastler for Five O' Clock Magazine