The Ultimate Guide to GIN & TONIC
Hey, there’s so much more to a G&T!
W
hile we’re all for a fancy gin cocktail or three, the classic G&T will forever be close to our hearts. With its timeless appeal and sophisticated charm, any gin connoisseur will tell you there’s so much more to a G&T than pouring two components into a glass. It’s a fine art you see—and there’s a magic formula for creating the perfect one. SO, WHERE DID IT ALL BEGIN? The G&T actually started out as a medicinal cure. Or so they say. Back in the mid 1800s when the Brits ruled India, English officers were frequent victims of malaria. Doctors discovered that quinine (found in cinchona tree bark) not only cured malaria but also even helped prevent the dreaded and sometimes deadly disease. So, in order to neutralise the effect of those pesky mozzies, the troops were told to knock back a dose of quinine.
GIN TIPS TIP: Gins with citrus notes work best with herbal garnishes such as rosemary, basil or thyme. TIP: Spicy gins match really well with orange peel, cinnamon or cloves. TIP: Gins with more floral profiles pair well with cucumber, rose petals or a sprig of lavender. TIP: Ideally you want to use large ice cubes and four should be just the right amount to keep your G&T chilled without too much dilution.
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Like most tree bark derivatives, quinine powder was not exactly pleasant tasting. In order to make the extremely bitter powder more palatable, British soldiers started adding sugar (what else?) and soda to make a tonic-like concoction. These two ingredients made it taste rather nice and soldiers happily quaffed this newfound malaria cure. Ta-dah! The first version of the G&T was born. From then on, and throughout most of the 20th century, G&Ts remained the British drink of choice. Though, like most trends, the faithful G&T slowly started to go out of fashion. Sadly, by the 1980s gin was out and shoulder pads were in.
SOUTH AFRICAN CONNOISSEUR
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2021/08/31 14:26
