Gin and French

ice cubes

Slice lemon

1/3rd glass tonic water

1/3rd glass dry vermouth

1/3rd glass Plymouth Gin

Place some ice and a slice of lemon in a long glass. Mix one third of gin (a really good one like Plymouth Tanqueray or Bombay Saphire) with one third of dry vermouth (again don't use a cheap one but a something decent like Dolin or Noilly Prat). You can use red or white as the mood takes you. Finally add one third of tonic water mix gently and pour into the glass with the ice and lemon. Alternatively to make a longer drink just add more tonic.

This is the drink of choice for many British Naval officers. It is very simply - but as is so often the case with elegant simplicity it is also devastatingly effective.... Best enjoyed on a hot summers day whilst sitting beside your own private heated swimming pool...