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7 July 2011

Join the international social elite and savour this wise man’s tipple.

The allure of a gentleman toting a martini glass is undeniable. A trait made famous by Mr Bond and his penchant for shaken not stirred has long been a must-have accessory for a certain type of gentleman. Anyone who has indulged in martini drinking will however know that this sort of behaviour is fraught, and that one’s gentlemanly demeanor can deteriorate very quickly over the course of an evening.

May we introduce you to the exotic il canarino, a cheeky drop that will likely set you back £6 in some of London’s finer establishments. The attractive il canarino to onlookers may well appear to be James Bond’s drink of choice – shaken and not stirred with a twist, but it is in fact merely a glass of hot water – with a twist.

Made quite simply with the twisted rind of a lemon, rather than a slice from the fruit (some say purely for aesthetic reasons) and hot water.  A simple elixir that the international social elite have taken to with gusto. With the international financial crisis still on our coat tails, a gentleman (or woman) needs to be on top of their game in social situations. There is something rather farcical about toting hot water and lemon, but while the competition loses their advantage around you, you can remain confident that you’ll be keeping the upper hand.

The term il canarino comes from Italy, and translates to yellow canary. The Sicilians are known to sip an il canarino after a meal to aid in digestion.The oil in the lemon rind is said to have a detoxifying effect, helping to stimulate the liver and kick start the digestive system.

To make the best tonic the water should not be too hot, more of a soothing temperature so as not to upset the liver.  Added to the water is a simple spiral of the lemon rind – make sure to include the pith, which includes a healthy dose of everyone’s best friends, antioxidant bio-flavonoids.

So if you’re looking for a new social lubricant that will keep you on top of your game and in control of the situation, make yours an il canarino.

You’ll thank us for it in the morning.