katka(かてぃか)
When I entered the store, the head bartender welcomed me warmly, even though he was busy working. His quick-witted demeanor gave off an aura of professionalism. Naturally, I ordered a unique gin and tonic (probably a gin rickey, as it is lime-exclusive). Known as the gin and tonic that would undoubtedly advance to the finals league if a world championship were held, Kaala's gin and tonic is renowned. Just to explain, the drink is made by filling a glass with crushed ice, placing an inverted lime peel on top, pouring a strong gin-heavy gin and tonic, and completing it with the main glass. The drink is served with gin and tonic on the side as well, offering a free drinking style where you can pour it onto the lime peel or not. The unique appearance of the drink, served in a glass resembling a saucer on top of a ceramic-like glass, stands out on the counter. Upon taking a sip, I found it quite sweet, with a hint of the lime peel's astringency coming through later. Due to the lime's characteristics, the drink is less acidic than vinegar or yuzu, making it very easy to drink. However, I personally found the sweetness a bit heavy. The sweetness may be due to the tonic water used, as the unique refreshing bitterness and astringency of tonic water may be lacking. Another thing that caught my attention was that while the lime peel has a good aroma and does not dilute easily, its poor heat conductivity makes it difficult to maintain the drink's cold temperature. By the third pour and drink, the cocktail's temperature seemed to have risen slightly. It may be partly due to the drinker's habits, but it also adds an element of unpredictability to the taste. For the second drink, I wanted to experience the taste of the gin and try a benchmark cocktail, so I ordered a gimlet. It turns out that it is also made with Tasmania gin, just like the gin and tonic. The bartender, like an authentic hotelier, shook the drink before pouring it into a chilled glass that was slightly dewy. The gin's botanical flavor was not particularly strong, resulting in an overall sweet finish. Perhaps it was the smoothness of this gin that made it feel that way, emphasizing each drink's unique characteristics. While it may have been acceptable when I was younger, the monotony of consuming the same things during the pandemic seemed to have aged my palate, leading to a sense of confusion when trying something different. My friends, who have impeccable taste buds, have nothing but praise for the drink, so those who visit will likely be satisfied. Enjoy this unique cocktail here!

