What is a Gin and Tonic? Well, that rather depends. First things first, there are four key Gin and Tonic ingredients: Sipsmith gin, tonic, ice and a garnish. So far, so simple – pop those into a glass and hey presto, you’ve made one of Britain’s favourite tipples, just like that. So that’s us all finished up here, right?
Not quite! That is only part of a complex cocktail of history and mixological creativity that lies behind this staple sip. For one, you’ve got today’s intriguing selection of Gin and Tonic variations to consider. And that’s before you get to the complex history of the G&T, a story that spans centuries and continents, touching on important themes from colonialism to the history of medicine.
So fetch yourself some ice cubes, a tall glass and that all-important garnish (a slice of lime will do the trick), as we delve into the riveting backstory of this much-loved cocktail. Ready to imbibe? Then we can begin.
A Eureka moment?
When we think about the invention of cocktails it’s easy to imagine a kind of chemistry lab filled with brilliant boffins searching for their next breakthrough, only for a lightbulb to zap over one of their heads as they cry: “Eureka!”. In other words, our test kitchen here at Sipsmith HQ… But when we venture back into the annals of time, a rather more curious image begins to emerge from the mist.
The invention of gin
First of all, the gin itself. Who invented it? Well, many have claimed an early version of our personal favourite elixir was first created by one Dr. Sylvius de Bouve, a university prof in 16th Century Leiden, Holland.
It didn’t take long for gin to reach the UK, where many people would use alcoholic drinks as alternatives to unhygienic H2O. Aside from this basic sanitary purpose, gin was prescribed as a medical treatment as it was thought to help with circulation. This is why a lot of ‘gin shops’ where people would procure their drink doubled up as chemists’ (and vice versa).
By the middle of the 18th century, the gin craze had given rise to a full-blown moral panic. Artworks like ‘Gin Lane’ by William Hogarth immortalised a widely held view of gin-soaked Georgian London, around a time when more than 11 million gallons were being consumed by the city’s inhabitants every year. The government brought in laws to curb the spirit’s ubiquity.
But in a city like London, nothing stays still. By the 1830s, the city was being furnished with many new, handsome ‘gin palaces’ with cosy, gaslit interiors to welcome the curious passer-by. And as the century wore on, gin underwent the Victorian equivalent of a rebrand, developing a refined reputation as a gentleman’s drink.
The science behind the tonic
Gin is only half the story. To understand tonic’s popularity as a pairing, we need a smidgen of science.
Alkaloids are compounds from plant matter that contain nitrogen atoms. Crucially, they have physiological impacts on humans. Tonic water was developed to deliver an alkaloid that was, drum roll please, healing.
The particular alkaloid was quinine, found in South American cinchona tree bark. This quinine-rich bark was feted for its medical applications—the indigenous population named it the Fever Tree. Most significantly, it could treat malaria.
Considering other misguided malaria cures available to Europeans, you might understand why tonic water was in-demand. Erroneous cures like amputation were common, and fanciful fixes had the distinct feel of guesswork, like placing Homer’s Iliad under a patient’s head or applying split pickled herrings under their feet.
A more pleasant medicine
One tale claims a Spanish Countess was healed using the bark during a 1630s visit to Peru. This has been largely dismissed, and there’s no consensus on how the bark reached Europe. However, indigenous populations likely shared knowledge with Jesuit missionaries, and the bark was reportedly used in Jesuit colleges from 1650.
Debates raged for centuries over whether this was truly a cure, but European demand only increased. After the British Crown took over India in 1858, more Brits traveled to warm climates. Many struggled with malaria risk in tropical areas, increasing demand for quinine-rich tonic water. Tonic thus became part of Britain’s colonialism.
The tonic wasn’t like today’s versions. Heavily infused with quinine, it tasted much more bitter and harsh. Brits found that gin, sugar, ice and citrus balanced this bitterness perfectly, making the cure palatable. With its reputation as surprisingly pleasant medicine, the Gin and Tonic was ready to rise in popularity.
More than one kind of G&T
G&T: two letters belying a kaleidoscope of options. Today’s G&T lovers are privy to a smorgasbord of choice when it comes to discovering their own personal perfect sip. Here at Sipsmith, we always believe in enriching flavours to their full juniper-tential, and so when we see a G&T, we also see an opportunity for more than a dash of creativity.
Of course, we’re purveyors of the classic Gin and Tonic, and adore its satisfyingly succinct assortment of ingredients. But we’ve also dedicated ourselves to exploring every possibility of flavour to see how each twist on the formula can enliven the tastebuds and spark curiosity.
This can range from occasion-specific sips like the Strawberry Smash G&T – perfect for enjoying Wimbledon from the comfort of your own personal centre court – to others that just make too much sense not to make, like our Lemon Drizzle G&T or our playful twist for gin-loving grown-ups, the G&T Float (yes, you read that right, the G&T Float).
We’ve also explored refreshing alternatives like the fabulously floral Botanical G&T or sensationally summery Zesty Orange G&T, both ideal for cooling off when the heat is on. To mix things up, we’ve also proven the G&T’s extraordinary eclecticism with cold-weather wonders that challenge expectations and warm the cockles. Winter hits like our sloe gin version, or even our Hot Winter G&T with tonic syrup (which makes a perfect alternative to mulled wine or cider) are perfect for getting snug when it’s chilly outside.
Summery, and wintry? In internet parlance, get yourself a cocktail that can do both. Or in the case of the G&T, get you a cocktail that can do it all. And once you have, make sure to share your sip! Post a picture of your perfect Sipsmith G&T and tag us in your caption. After all, making the perfect G&T is all about enjoying it with friends – so which kind will you choose to make?
