Gin and Tonic’s have this fascinating background to them. Back when there was a British Empire, the jewel of it was India. India though is a tropical country and has a malaria problem. In the 17th century Jesuit monk, Agostino Salumbrino, noticed quinine being used by the Quechua people of South America to treat the shivering caused by malaria and sent the plant back to the Old World where it became the standard treatment for the disease. Quinine though tastes bitter, British Officers in the 19th century started cutting their tonic water (medicine) with Gin. And the Gin and Tonic was born.
Except most people who drink it don’t have malaria… Or are stationed in the Tropics… This ends the educational portion of the post.
Anyway, Gin and Tonics are a common summer drink and a classic cocktail so I had to make them!
Gin and Tonic
- 2 ounces gin
- 3 ounces tonic water
Pour the gin and the tonic water into a lowball or old fashioned glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Garnish with lime wedge.
Fever tree tonic water is good but these needed a little more sweetness to them. So we dripped a little honey into them and after squeezing my lime wedge into the drink it was beautiful. Cool, clean, refreshing probably the perfect summer drink. Plus, they’re super easy to make so a few minutes at the bar and you can take these back out to the porch and enjoy the day.
Schweppes if far and away the best tonic I’ve tried. But I like Bombay Sapphire, so what do I know.
The fever tree is pretty good! Organic too!