Life, Served Over Ice

There is something about the sound of ice dropping into a glass.

Maybe it’s because it sounds like the end of the day—a small signal that says, That’s enough. You can stop now.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the small rituals that make ordinary life feel just a little more special: sitting outside when the weather is too beautiful to stay indoors, taking the scenic route when I’m in no particular hurry, ordering something I’ve never tried before, or setting a pretty table even when I’m the only one sitting at it.

And yes, sometimes, pouring myself a really good gin and tonic.

Somewhere along the way, I decided to rekindle my relationship with the drink of my young adulthood. In the process, I became curious about this deceptively simple combination.

Gin. Tonic. Ice.

How diverse could it be?

Apparently, very.

• There are gins infused with juniper, citrus, herbs, flowers, berries and spices.
• Add to this mix that local environments can also influence flavour and we get small Canadian distilleries that are creating spirits that taste of the places where they’re made.
• Even tonics are getting sexy, ranging from crisp and dry to floral, citrusy and distinctly Mediterranean.
• And apparently, I’ve been seriously underestimating the importance of ice and garnish.

Who knew?

So naturally, I decided I needed to investigate. Welcome to Gin & Tonic State of Mind.

Each week, I’m going to try something new.

Maybe it will be a Canadian craft gin. Maybe we’ll compare tonics. We might experiment with a new recipe or discover what happens when you replace the obligatory wedge of lime with grapefruit, rosemary, cucumber—or something I’ve never considered putting in a cocktail before.

And sometimes, we’re going on the road.

There are distilleries throughout Ontario, including several practically in my Ottawa Valley backyard. I want to meet some of the people creating these beautiful spirits, hear their stories and learn what makes each place—and each bottle—distinctive.

But here’s the thing:

This isn’t really a blog about gin.

At least, not entirely.

Because I’ve realized that what interests me even more than what’s in the glass is the moment around it.

• Why did I choose this drink today?
• Where am I sitting?
• Who am I with?
• What happened this week?
• What am I celebrating, contemplating, releasing or simply enjoying?

Over the last few years, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking and writing about living intentionally: gratitude, self-acceptance, change, joy, starting over and, perhaps most importantly, giving ourselves permission to enjoy the life we’re living while we’re living it.

I’m beginning to understand that intentional living doesn’t always happen in the big decisions. Sometimes, it looks like stopping long enough to notice the sunset.

Putting on music while you make dinner.

Using the good glass.

Calling the friend.

Sitting on the porch for another twenty minutes.

Ordering the ridiculous cocktail with the Titanic-shaped ice cube simply because you’re on vacation and it makes you smile.

Sometimes, it means deciding that an ordinary Friday evening deserves a little ceremony.

That’s what Life, Served Over Ice means to me.

It’s not about alcohol. Your glass could just as easily hold tonic and lime, sparkling water, iced tea or whatever makes the moment yours.

It’s about the pause—the small space between everything you’ve been doing and whatever comes next.

And maybe that’s why the gin and tonic feels like the perfect companion for this particular chapter of my life.

It’s uncomplicated, but never boring.

Familiar, yet endlessly open to interpretation.

A little botanical. A little bubbly. Sometimes surprising.

And best enjoyed slowly.

So once a week, I’m going to pour something interesting, sit down with you and talk about life.

I’ll tell you what I’m drinking and what I think of it. We’ll discover gins, tonics, garnishes, recipes, distilleries and places worth visiting.

But we’ll also talk about whatever life happens to have served up that week.

At the end of each feature, I’ll share Vivi’s Vibe—not a rating out of ten, but the feeling I think belongs with that particular glass.

And I’ll tell you what I think it Pairs Well With: perhaps a sunset, a rainy afternoon, an old friend, a favourite song, a good book or simply having nowhere else you need to be.

Because maybe the good life isn’t something we eventually arrive at.

Maybe it’s made up of hundreds of little moments we remembered to notice.

Oh! One more thing!

And we’re starting with a little adventure. In two weeks, I’m taking Gin & Tonic State of Mind across the Atlantic. I’ll be travelling through the UK, France, Spain and Norway, and I’m curious to discover what happens when I hand my glass—and perhaps my expectations—over to the bartenders I meet along the way. Consider it our first field trip.

So pull up a chair.

I’ll bring the ice.

Welcome to Gin & Tonic State of Mind.

Life, Served Over Ice.

And since every good conversation should go both ways, I’ll leave you with the question I’m going to ask at the end of every one of these stories:

What’s in your glass this week—and what story does it tell?

Cheers,

Sylvie
Soaring Soul & Vibes