Like many of our favorite spirits, gin began as a medicinal ingredient—thanks in part to the anti-inflammatory properties of juniper (with which gin is made). Peddled around Europe in the 13th century, the Dutch and their ships made it a worldwide spirit. However, it wasn’t until the 17th century that the popularity of gin as a commerce object increased. It was the rise of William of Orange (the Dutch king who took control of the English throne in 1689) that brought gin to Britain, where it has remained fiercely popular ever since.
By the 18th century, Great Britain was in the midst of the “Gin Craze,” with an estimated 10 liters of gin consumed per person in 1743. Sailors drank gin to ward off scurvy and malaria, and legislation was passed in Britain mandating that every vessel of the Royal Navy had a certain quantity of gin on board. Officers who suspected their gin was being diluted discovered that gin with at least 57% ABV would still ignite gunpowder. With a bang, Navy Strength Gin was born!
History of the Gin & Tonic
In the early 19th century malaria was a scourge for British sailors occupying India. Quinine, a chemical compound, was discovered to treat malaria. It was prescribed to soldiers as a daily medication, to be taken in tonic water, but the mixture was bitter and unpleasant. To make the concoction more enjoyable, officers took to adding water, sugar, lime and gin (a ration in the Royal Navy until 1970) to the quinine. Thus, the first Gin & Tonic was invented.
Gin in the Modern Day
When Prohibition took place in America in 1920, gin was at an all time height of popularity. Gin was one of the easier spirits to make and bootleg, so its popularity continued through Prohibition, and after it.
Today, Gin is still a popular and heady spirit. Acting as the backbone to popular cocktails such as the Gin Fizz, the Negroni, Martini, and of course – the Gin & Tonic. Use our London style Vigilant District Dry Gin or our Vigilant Navy Strength Gin to create your favorite gin cocktails.
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