Got my mind on my money and my money on my mind

[venta]

Some time around now - today, according to the mother, though I don't know where she got her info from - we can celebrate the 150th anniversary of the G&T.

The gin and tonic was invented (by the British army) in the hot climes of India, when foul-tasting quinine-laden tonic water was still the best way to ward off malaria.

I think it says a lot about the Victorians that, faced with unpalatable medication, their solution was to mix it with gin.

Comments

[hoiho.livejournal.com]

Which lead me to wonder: how did they drink their gin in the days before the G&T, and the Martini?

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

Neat, Dutch-style.

[hoiho.livejournal.com]

Also sweetened, Duch-stylee?

[venta.livejournal.com]

According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gin):

"Gin in the 18th century was produced in pot stills, and was somewhat sweeter than the London gin known today."

Jenever is produced in pot stills, so I guess it was more much like the Dutch stuff.

[hmmm-tea.livejournal.com]

Probably only like a poor quality sweetened version of the dutch stuff.

The main style, Old Tom, was juniper heavy and very poor quality. It was made from corn in a pot still (coffey still not being invented until 1826). Hayman's still make a version of Old Tom.

The first unsweetened gin styles started to appear in the early 19th century, after production had been brought under control.

[venta.livejournal.com]

Copiously (http://www.penwith.co.uk/artofeurope/hogarth-gin-lane.jpg).

[hmmm-tea.livejournal.com]

Apparently in 1720, gin distillation in London was at around 12 million litres, which is enough for over half a litre of gin a week for every man, woman and child in the city at that time.

[mister-jack.livejournal.com]

I love the Victorians.

[mister-jack.livejournal.com]

Oh, and remember, Gin itself was developed as a medicinal compound.

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

Am I alone in being unable to hear the phrase 'medicinal compoud' without humming Lily the Pink under my breath>

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever heard it in any other context!

[mister-jack.livejournal.com]

You're not alone.

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

Good to know!

[venta.livejournal.com]

Not at all. I had been about to post asking if it was most efficacious in every case when I saw your comment :)

[shrydar.livejournal.com]

Not remotely!

[venta.livejournal.com]

I'm considering adopting their approach if I'm ever again prescribed vile antibiotics in non-pill form.

"Well, doctor, I'm not sure how it's working - it tastes nasty, so I've been mixing it with equal parts rum..."

[drdoug.livejournal.com]

Care is advised if the non-pill form is for parenteral administration.

(You won't be able to taste the rum so no need to use the good stuff.)

[shrydar.livejournal.com]

Large one? :-)

(around about the five minute mark..)

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

Apparently the anniversary is of the patenting of a carbonated tonic water that resembles what we have today -- most importantly, in being nice. So they were drinking gin and quininey-stuff prior to that, but not really for fun.

[lathany.livejournal.com]

:-)

I'd have put the tonic in the fridge this morning, if I'd known.

1751

[(Anonymous)]

1751, also the shortest year in British history, was when the government restricted the alcohol content of gin. Previously it had been in the range of 80% to 90% alcohol. Over the following few years there was a huge rise in the birthrate, and a reduction in deaths through alcohol poisoning!

W

[john-the-hat.livejournal.com]

http://stevieblue.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_NovPandora_s14.jpg

**yay**