Mr. Boston Official Bartender's Guide

Earl Grey Gin: Shake 1 Tbs. loose-leaf Earl Grey tea with 8 oz. gin in jar and let stand 2 hours. Stir and strain.

Income taxes—the thought alone is reason enough for a cocktail. Whether you're celebrating a hefty return, agonizing over what you owe, or an accountant who's just glad tax season is finally over, this is a great cocktail to take the edge off everyone's least favorite time of year. The Income Tax Cocktail dates back to sometime in the 1920s, when gin, vermouth, and orange juice were the skeleton of many a recipe. The addition of bitters is thought by many to be a nod to the bitterness of giving away a portion of one's hard-earned money to the government. Otherwise, rather befittingly, the history of this cocktail is largely no-nonsense. In any case, this is a drink that goes down well year-round.