Gin in June: Gin and Tonic on Gin Day, or just Qcumber on June 9th, and Distillery tours

Photos from the producers.

Problem
Gin in June is amusingly alliterative. However, my first thought was a bit negative: not another nonsense day promoting food and drinks on a random day! Well, why not? Get everybody in the business and all the consumers together to learn the origins of an old food or drink and try a new one.

Why should I care about gin, as spirits are too strong for me? My first thought is that I don't drink gin or know anybody who does, but, wait a minute, on second thoughts, gin and tonic is a favourite of one member of my family, and lots of guests ask for a gin of tonic when a round of drinks is ordered before a meal. Let's take a quick look.

Gin is also the base ingredient for my favourite cocktail on Singapore Airlines, the Singapore Sling.

Answers
The past of gin and tonic
What do I and you already know? Looking back at the history of the drink, the Western connection is that the word gin is like Jennifer the girl's name and comes from juniper.

The Eastern connection is that Gin and tonic was drunk in places such as Raffles hotel in Singapore to take away the nasty taste of the quinine in tonic, taken to ward off malaria.

The present and future of gin and tonic
Recently, the gin and tonic business has been given a tonic or boost by a UK company. Usually we add cucumber to the top of the glass when serving. Cucumber is a refreshing summer staple, like cucumber sandwiches, no longer in vogue, but once a Victorian staple to provide a mosit centre as well as one widely avialable, vegetarian, lots going for cucumber then and now. A new on the block compay has created a cucumber gin. Is it really refreshing or just a gimmick? You decide.

Why Try?
I always think anything is worth trying once. May I revise that statement? I think anything is worth trying three times. I didn't like yogurt the first time I tried it. The second time I was given flavoured yogurt. I liked it. The third time I was given plain yogurt again, and this time I liked it.

So have a look at the gin. At least the bottle is amusing - and something new if you are looking for a novelty gift for somebody who has everything.

Not just one gin. You have a choice:

Pink Gin - here's what their website says:

Classic Pink Gin

The English Drinks Company’s Classic Pink Gin is a delicious blend of traditionally crafted gin together with the subtle flavours of pomegranate and chinchona bark leading to a delicate, smooth taste to suit all palates.

Chinchona bark - that's new to me.

On your flight you can order a gin and tonic. I always ask for water as well, with alcohol or wine. I am relaxed and smiling at my fellow passengers and the airline staff. Gin and grin.

A few fast facts:
The promotion will be on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, all over the net.
World Gin Day, Saturday June 9th.

No Alcohol, please!
If it's too early in the day, or you never drink alcohol, (because of your pills or principles) they offer Qcumber, a mixture of cucumber and sparkling water.

Qcumber is 'an adult drink', non-alcholic, refreshing and sugar free. Use it as a mixer with gin or in Pimms. One customer reviewer suggested it goes well with curry.

Recipes:


The English Drinks Company are not the only people producing gin in England. You can visit distilleries in London and elsewhere.

Gin Distillery Visits in the UK
London
Cotswolds
Plymouth

Useful Websites:
UK
http://www.englishdrinkscompany.co.uk/
visitbritain.com
singaporeair.com
https://metro.co.uk/2017/12/05/the-best-gin-distillery-tours-in-the-uk-the-perfect-christmas-present-for-the-gin-hound-in-your-life-6950189/
http://www.cityoflondondistillery.com/tours-with-gin-tasting/ (Chickwick, London, England)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aszDOcG_gDI (Sipsmith distillery, Chiswick, London, England, virtual tour)
https://www.theginstitute.com/the-experience/ (The Distillery Shop and tasting events to buy online - with a great website showing the history of gin, grim gin era, golden gin era and ginaissance.)
https://www.cotswoldsdistillery.com/tours
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-44342354/former-nottingham-plumber-s-gin-wins-world-award

Netherlands:
http://www.noletdistillery.com/en/agecheck

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. See next post for gin-based Singapore Sling.