Can you hear ice cubes clinking together in a glass as they rustle up against a slice of lime?
That sound, music to a gin-lover’s ear, will echo around the world on June 14 for World Gin Day.
Founded by a UK-based gin lover, Neil Houston, in 2009 as excuse to get his friends together for a tipple, World Gin Day, a celebration of all things gin, has grown into a global party.
With events in London, Rome, Melbourne, Auckland, Tokyo and of course Brisbane, World Gin day is set to be a smashing success. I intend celebrating with at least one g&t and a moment of silence while watching the sun set. I may be ambitious with the sunset but there definitely will be a gin and tonic somewhere.
Gin is a spirit with a long and interesting history. Originally created in the 17th century by the Dutch, gin was initially regarded as a medicine and was considered a cure for gout and indigestion.
In the mid 18th century, gin was the poor man’s drink because it was cheap and the average Londoner drank 14 gallons of spirit each year. No wonder it was widely known as ‘mother’s ruin’. So the authorities came up with a tax to make it more expensive and people found another way to forget their worries.
Where did my favourite gin and tonic originate?
In tropical British colonies, gin was used to mask the bitter flavour of quinine which was the only effective anti-malarial compound. Quinine was dissolved in carbonated water to form tonic water. The mix started off today's popular gin and tonic combination, although modern tonic water contains only a trace of quinine as a flavouring.
Which drinks contain gin?
Here’s a short list – Gimlet, Martini, Negroni. Pimm’s Cup, Satan’s Whishers, Singapore Sling, Tom Collins, Vesper and a White Lady.
Where can you enjoy some gin action in Brisbane today for World Gin Day?
Here’s a few venues featuring a new West Winds Gin – The Broadside-
Urbane - 181 Mary St Brisbane
Laneway Bar - 181 Mary St Brisbane
Little Brew - 131 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington
Kerry Heaney
Disclaimer: No gin was drunk while writing this post.
