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THINGS YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW ABOUT GIN
The global ‘ginaissance’ may have plateaued, but it has converted many of us into dedicated drinkers of that quintessentially British drink, the gin and tonic (G&T). But is it truly British? Here are some little known facts that may surprise you.
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GIN WAS NOT INVENTED BY THE BRITS.
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It actually originated in Holland. The British ‘discovered’ gin during the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century, when they saw Dutch soldiers drinking ‘genever’ to boost their morale before heading into battle. Hence the term ‘Dutch courage’.
GIN IS THE MOST MIXED SPIRIT.
Gin forms the basis of more cocktails than any other spirit. Think the Martini, the Negroni, the Gimlet...
THERE’S GIN IN SINGAPORE’S ‘NATIONAL DRINK’.
The iconic Singapore Sling was created by Mr Ngiam Tong Boon at Raffles Hotel in the early 20th Century. The famous cocktail has even inspired a gin of its own. Singapore Distillery’s Singapore Sling Gin is distilled with all the ingredients of the gin-and-juice-based tipple, including pineapples, oranges, angelica and cherries.
GIN WAS FIRST ADDED TO TONIC WATER TO STAVE OFF MALARIA.
The French Foreign Legion in North Africa drank tonic water for its quinine, to protect them against malaria. They added gin to mask the bitterness and voilà – the G&T. The Brits did much the same in India.
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SAILORS DRANK GIN FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES.
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THE NUMBER ONE GIN DRINKING NATION IS…
The Philippines accounts for well over 40% of the global gin market. The vast majority of gin drunk by Filipinos is the locally made Ginebra San Miguel.
THE THING THAT MAKES GIN ‘GIN’ IS JUNIPER.
According to EU law, gin must predominantly contain juniper to be called gin. But other than juniper, gin can be infused with almost anything. For example, inspired by the local pink drink known as bandung, Singapore Distillery’s Stolen Roses gin is distilled with fresh rose petals.
LONDON DRY GIN ISN’T NECESSARILY MADE IN LONDON.
The expression refers to gins that are made in a single distillation, where all the botanicals are added in one go. It’s challenging to make, as you have to get the balance right before you even taste it. Singapore Distillery’s Merlion Gin, Lime Garden Gin, Coconut Pandan Gin, Kyuri Gin and Orange Grove Gin are all examples of painstakingly made London Dry Gins.
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Selected facts courtesy of Ashwin Sekaran, Head Distiller, Singapore Distillery
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Gin was dispensed to the British Royal Navy with lime cordial to prevent scurvy. (Hence the slang term ‘limeys’ for British sailors.) Clearly, the taste caught on. Singapore Distillery’s stunning Lime Garden Gin is distilled with three local limes, Limau Nipis, Limau Kalamansi, and Limau Purut.
