On recipe testing days, dishes and drinks come out of our test kitchen not in an order you might expect (breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks), but in an order that works best for the culinary team — as well it should. This means you might dig into a rich pot roast at 9:15 a.m., sample a breakfast casserole at 4:45 p.m. and tip back a cocktail any old time.

In today’s tale, the time is 10:51 a.m. and the tipple ready for tasting is a tart, boozy Gin & Jam cocktail. Our humble taste tester has one sip — oooooh, it’s good! Her lips pucker (in the best way) and she declares the drink super refreshing and fun. It’s one of those late fall days when the sun is low in the sky but temps are high, so the drink’s breezy brightness is welcome. The flavor is compelling and vibrant.

She has another sip, then another. She feels the warmth of the gin and Campari wash over her and she smiles. Then she remembers it’s a Tuesday and it’s a quarter to 11:00 and she’s at work. At work! So she sets the drink aside, reluctantly. But the drink’s sweet-tart deliciousness stays with her and she’s excited to mix it up at her next dinner party or to make it for her sweetie on their next date night. It’s that special.

Recipe adapted from: “Cocktail Codex”