Don’t worry, “I don’t like gin!” used to be one of my lines, too. After living in Amsterdam (the birthplace of genever, or gin), Dutch Courage and I developed a complex friendship. Days biking down canals draw the sun in and the crazies out to the Centre, while expats and Dutch alike take refuge in the brown cafes with conversation and genever.

Sit back, relax, and you will enjoy the flight. This cloudy gin-based cocktail honors the new frontier in flight in early 20th-century America. The Aviation is a refreshing and slightly floral drink that will keep your head in the clouds. It is one of the first classic cocktails I learned to make, and it has been a favorite ever since.