A Piney Twist on the Classic Gin Tonic

I'm a huge fan of gin tonics - they're light, refreshing, and always remind me of Schweppes. But I'd never tried Manchester Gin Tonic before, and it's not something you usually find in stores around here. That all changed when I spotted it on the shelves at Perekrestok for 105 rubles. I didn't notice the price without my loyalty card, which is usually a good thing.

The packaging didn't exactly blow me away, but let's be real, that's not what matters most. What's a bit disappointing is that it's only available in small quantities, which makes it hard to share with friends. Oh well, I'd bought the bottle, and I was lying in bed with insomnia, so I figured it was time to give it a try.

When I opened the bottle, I was hit with a smell that was completely different from what I'm used to in gin tonics. For me, it was like a whiff of pine or spruce - a great reminder of my time spent in the woods and mountains. My husband woke up and said it smelled like mold, but he's not a fan of strong flavors, so that's no surprise.

I started drinking... and as someone who's spent a lot of time outdoors, the flavor really resonated with me. I used to chew on pine resin and drink pine tea all the time, and this drink reminded me of those experiences. It's interesting! I wasn't expecting it, but the pine flavor won me over. There's a distant note of Schweppes, and the aftertaste isn't the most pleasant - it's got that hazy, not-so-great-for-you feeling. Of course, it's not the healthiest or most sophisticated drink, but sometimes you just need something a little different. I'd definitely consider buying it again if the price stays the same, probably in the summer when it's warmer.