A toast to art appreciation ... July 19 is the anniversary of Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. I love his paintings of ballerinas - and his paintings of other subjects, too. So, here's to a summer Thursday with a Paris Cocktail...

1 oz gin
1 oz dry vermouth
1 oz creme de cassis

Shake ingredients well with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon peel, and serve.