February 19, 2008

Under the Chinchona Tree

Fever-Tree Mixers

Catherine nurses a watered-down gin and tonic, looking longingly at a photograph when the door swings open. It’s Timothy, a bearded young man.

Timothy: Darling, you’ll never believe what I discovered in Ecuador.

Catherine: It’s been twelve months.

Timothy: Fresh green ginger! I’ve added it to the other ginger essences from Nigeria and Cochin to create the perfect ginger ale. (Timothy spots the G&T.) What’s this?

Catherine: Why should you care?

(Timothy takes a sip, spits it out.)

Timothy: This tonic is beneath you. (He removes an elegant glass bottle from his satchel and mixes a fresh drink.) Try this. It’s made with pure quinine from the cinchona tree, harvested in Rwanda.

Catherine: Why should I trust you?

Timothy: My Fever-Tree mixers are made with the finest natural ingredients. Ferran Adria of ElBulli is a fan. (Catherine takes a sip. Her face lights up.)

Catherine: It’s so crisp. So clean!

Timothy: Promise me you’ll never settle for dismal mixers again.

Catherine: I swear on my gin.

Available at BevMo, 3455 Geary Boulevard, between Jordan and Commonwealth Avenues (415-933-8494 or bevmo.com). For more information, go to fever-tree.com.