The History of the Gin and Tonic
While it seems as if mixologists are constantly crafting new creations and marrying unique flavors and ingredients, there is still a demand for classic cocktails. The gin and tonic (G+T) continues to be one of the most popular drinks, due to the beautiful blend of flavors with a bitter tonic and often citrus and pine scented spirit. While many classic cocktails were invented within the past century, the G+T is actually almost two hundred years old and has quite an interesting origin story.
An unlikely medicine
Unlike many other classic cocktails, the gin and tonic was first invented as a medicinal prescription before it became a beloved drink. In the 1800’s, British soldiers stationed in India were drinking a blend of spirit and tonic to get their daily dose of quinine, the active ingredient in tonic, in order to ward off malaria. Malaria was running rampant in tropical regions like India and a Scottish doctor named George Cleghorn studied how quinine could be used to treat the disease.
One of the popular spirits of choice to blend with tonic was Gin due to the smooth and delicious flavors achieved by marrying the two. The squeeze of a lime came later to add even more health benefits and to cut through some of the bitter flavors often found in tonic.
How G+T’s made it to society
Much like many drinks these days, it is due to a celebrity endorsement that pushed gin and tonics to popularity. Winston Churchill knew just how much gin and tonics were used to help fight off malaria that he even famously once stated, “the Gin and Tonic drink has saved more Englishmen’s lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire.”
Mahón, a Spanish Gin that makes a perfect G+T
G+T’s are known for their refreshing taste as well as being an easy elevated cocktail to make at home. Selecting the ideal gin is critical to achieving the best taste and we have some recommendations to take your next gin and tonic to the next level!
In the early 2010’s, the gin and tonic became increasingly more popular in Spain, when Gin Tonica became one of the top drinks to order. The refreshing drink became known as the perfect complement to Spanish cuisine. While many have their opinions as to the best gins for Gin Tonica cocktails, world-renowned chef and restauranteur José Andres publicly endorsed and selected Mahón Gin as one of his favorites to make the perfect G+T. Mahón is an award-winning gin well-known for its complex flavors highlighting one of its main ingredients: juniper berries.
An unsuspecting favorite: Indian gin from Amrut Distilleries
Another amazing gin that blends seamlessly in gin and tonics is Amrut Nilgiris. This Indian Dry Gin is packed with the incredible flavors of India and contains both local botanicals from Nilgiris (the Blue Mountains of South India) and juniper berries. The classic combination of botanically flavored gin and tangy tonic create a cocktail that is still beloved to this day and India’s flavors truly shine with Nilgiris in this timeless drink.