gin & tonic

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PREFAcE .................................................................................................................................... 8

HiStoRY ................................................................................................................................... 10Gin: some history ........................................................................................................ 10What is Gin? .............................................................................................................................. 24tonic: some history ..............................................................................................32What is tonic? .....................................................................................................................35

gin & tonic: tHE iDEAL MAtcH ...........37 tonic: cateGorization ...................................................................................38Neutral toNics ................................................................................................................ 39aromatic toNics .............................................................................................................52Fruity/Floral toNics .........................................................................................57Big BraNds ...................................................................................................................................66the sense or nonsense of liGht tonic ................. 68not convinced? make your oWn! ........................................ 68Gin: cateGorization ............................................................................................69classic preseNtatioNs .....................................................................................71

old tom gin ..............................................................................................................................71london dry gin .................................................................................................................80distilled gin .............................................................................................................................. 81compound gin .................................................................................................................... 81plymouth gin ......................................................................................................................... 81

classiFicatioN accordiNg

to the Flavour cross ..................................................................................... 85New Western gin or New generation gin ................................ 85the flavour cross and some gin ambassadors ..................87In the middle: classic London Dry style ..........................................................87On the top: citrus ................................................................................................................... 95On the right: sweet ............................................................................................................ 105At the bottom: floral ........................................................................................................... 111On the left: spicy/complex .......................................................................................... 121

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content

exotic giNs ..................................................................................................................................131mavericks ..................................................................................................................................140

sloe (berry) gin ..............................................................................................................140Fruit/summer cup .........................................................................................................151seasonal gin .........................................................................................................................157Navy strength gin....................................................................................................... 163distiller’s cut....................................................................................................................... 169pink gin ........................................................................................................................................177aged gin .................................................................................................................................... 185damson gin............................................................................................................................193

our 14 most remarkable Gins .................................................... 194

tHE PRActicAL: in tHE MiX ................................224Pure Passion ........................................................................................................................224hoW it shouldn’t be ..........................................................................................224hoW to find the Perfect mix and use the G&t flavour cross............................................224the classic Gin & tonic ..............................................................................234the Perfect serve ................................................................................................. 236

ginLicioUS: FooD & gin-tonic ...............241

12 MUSt-ViSit BARS ........................................................................258

gincYcLoPEDiA .......................................................................................... 270

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Finding the ideal match rests on one basic principle, and that is the right combination of tastes. That is why we are categorizing the tonics as well as the gins according to their flavours. To create an explosive combination in your glass, we will blend the tastes by mixing the vari-ous types of gin with the most appropriate tonic.

And indeed, we are beginning with the tonic. Not that we want to be ‘contrary’ or attempt to paddle up-stream, and we are certainly not suggesting a switch to ‘tonic & gin’; not at all, the one and only reason is to make it easier for you. Consider it a warm up, or maybe a safeguard against too many premature hangovers, but above all, there can be no gin & tonic without the tonic. Although it is fair to say that tonic is, and will always be, the secondary ingredient in our favourite cocktail, but just as with gin, there are many differ-ences in the quality and tastes. Failing to give some thought to the tonic is like not bothering about putting the right sort of fuel in the engine of your car.

With the re-birth, and explosion in the popularity of gin, tonic is similarly enjoying a serious resurgence. Tonic will always be a dominant flavour in our gin & tonic, and that is why we begin with this ode to tonic, for once bringing it out of gin’s shadow. You will be in-troduced to an entire new generation of tonics, and be-lieve us when we say, it will be both a fascinating and pleasurable experience, forming the basis of all your future creations. And maybe yes, we actually do enjoy paddling upstream, just a little…

gin & tonic tHE iDEAL

MAtcH

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u n i t e d k i n g d o m

o r i g i nThe story begins with Charles Rolls, the man who brought Plymouth Gin back onto the market. After following a tonic-tasting course in 2000 with Tim Warrillow, they concluded that a lot of mixers used sodium benzoate or similar chemical substances as preservatives. Additionally, the use of cheap orange flavourings and artificial sweeteners jumped out at them, leading the men to exclaim “We can safely call this combination an attack on the taste buds”. It was following this experience that the seeds of a simple yet brilliant idea began to grow: a gin & tonic is, after all, ¾’s tonic, why then is so little thought given to that tonic?! Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water was launched in Great Britain in 2005 with the name deriving from the colloquial name for the Cinchona tree, the source of quinine. To do their tonic justice, Charles and Tim went in search of the best possible quality quinine, which they found in eastern Congo. Fever-Tree is therefore a tonic of premium quality, not only being served in seven out of the top ten restaurants in the world, but also in more than thirty countries worldwide.Sounds like a ‘good’ idea…

fever-tree indian tonic Water

i n g r e d i e n t sspring water .............................................................cane sugar .................................................................citric acid ..................................................................natural flavours .......................................................natural quinine ........................................................

Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water is made using a mix of eight botanical flavours, including rare ingredients such as extract of marigold and sour orange from Tanzania. Lemons from Sicily, thyme and rosemary from Provence in France, ginger from Nigeria and Ivory Coast… Need we say more?Fever-Tree is made by 100% natural produc-tion methods and uses no artificial sweeteners or preservatives.

t a s t e a n d f l a v o u rThe taste can be called, at the very least, soft. The authentic ingredients and production techniques from the world of perfumers provide a pure and subtle tonic with a sparkle similar to that in champagne. Refreshing, with a clear tint of citrus, perfectly supported by the natural bitterness of the quinine. The clean finish and the absence of a sticky mouth make this tonic a top notch mixer.

neutral tonics 4 3

2 0 8our 14 most remarkable gins

I n g r e d I e n t s

juniper berry .............................orange peel ................................coriander ...................................cinnamon ...................................cardamom ..................................cloves ..........................................

C o m b I n e w I t hSchweppes Premium Mixer Original Tonic and a cinnamon stick

o r I g I nAn unusual gin created by the enigmatic Professor Cornelius Ampleforth. Shortly before he gained the title of Professor, Cornelius, a mad inventor, dreamed of running a big laboratory full of botanical spirits, bubbling beakers and miles of glass bottles filled with rare ingredients. His dreams came true at the end of 2011, with the release of his already infamous Bathtub Gin. The name is a nod to the gin that people enjoyed during prohibition in the 1920s. Bathtub Gin is only produced in very small quantities of thirty to sixty bottles each time. The brown paper packaging of the gin catapults the drinker back in time to the Victorian chemists.

t A s t e A n d F L A V o U rInitially a full bouquet of juniper in the nose, which is complemented by rich grain alcohol. Notes of cardamom and orange blossom and a hint of cinnamon fill out the flavour. The focus of the taste is the juniper berry, but the earthy botanic spices stimulate the palate. The mouth feel is syrupy and, towards the finish, the juniper makes way for the cardamom and cinnamon.

bAthtUb gIn

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u n i t e d k i n g d o m

T h e m y T h i c a l o n e

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People who are of the opinion that gin & tonic is des-tined to stand all alone have got it wrong. Many dishes, from tapas to desserts, find an ideal companion in gin & tonic. Gin & tonic not only sharpens the palate, but also offers a totally new taste sensation. Gin is defi-nitely a bottle full of possibilities: a gin & tonic can ei-ther perfectly complement the flavours in your meal, or can act as an ingredient in the recipe, or both. Gin has inspired many a gastronome to create surprising combinations, and it is no longer possible to imagine the culinary world without it.

Pull up a chair and get ready for this ‘ginlicious’ ex-perience. The chefs serving up this feast are Hermes Vanliefde and his side-kick Peter Laloo, managers of the unique Rock-Fort in Bruges. They really know how to get the most out of the bottle, and create magic both on the plate and in the glass standing next to it…

“To form the perfect link between the dish and the gin & tonic, we serve them ‘clean’, without garnish.”

Each recipe is for four people.

ginLicioUS: FooD &

gin & tonic

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P r e P A r A t I o nCombine all the ingredients for the sauce, mix and pass through a sieve. Finely chop the tuna and mix with 2 to 3 tablespoons of the sauce. Season to taste with pepper and salt. Next, add the chopped shallot, chives and sesame seeds. Combine thoroughly.

Mix all the ingredients for the granita together in a shallow freezer-proof container. Place in the freezer but check after an hour or so and loosen with a fork as the ice crystals form.

Soak the dried seaweed in lukewarm water. Allow to drain thoroughly and combine with a little of the sauce. Garnish the tuna with the seaweed, cucumber and apple slices. Finish with the Hendrick’s granita.

I n g r e d I e n t s200 g tuna (from the Mediterranean) .............. salt and pepper ........................ 1 large French shallot, chopped .....................................2 tsp. chopped fresh chives .... 20 g dried seaweed ..................½ cucumber, finely diced ......1 Granny Smith apple, in slices .......................................1 tbsp. sesame seeds .................

Sauce 30 g grated fresh ginger .......... 60 ml sushi-vinegar ................. 100 ml Arbequina olive oil ..... 30 ml soy sauce ......................... a little sesame oil ......................

Granita 200 ml apple juice ................... 40 ml Hendrick’s Gin .............. 100 ml white wine ................... 1 tsp. rose water ........................ 3 tbsp. cane sugar syrup .........

Gin-tonic: hendrICk’s gIn + FentImAns tonIC wAter

Recipe: tUnA tArtAre, grAnItA oF APPLe And rose wAter, wIth CUCUmber

The cucumber taste that is so redolent in Hendrick’s Gin is mirrored in this dish. The freshness of the granita offers a delightful contrast, and simultaneously forms the perfect link to the gin & tonic.

gin & tonic

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g R APH ic BAR

u n i t e d K i n g d o m – l o n d o n w w w.gr a phicba r .com

This gin bar in Soho offers more than 100 gin varieties. The entire length of the bar is filled almost exclusively with gins, and the menu or rather ‘gin bible’ provides information on every gin they have available. Graphic Bar houses, in their own words, the biggest gin collection in the world, and strives to serve the perfect Gin & Tonic and Martini: these two cocktails don’t mask the taste of the gin. Moreover, you will always find the right tonic and the right garnish with every gin. Art meets bar in Graphic as the décor changes regularly, each time assembled by a different, trendy artist. Graphic Bar is one of the first ‘gin-craze’ bars in London and they are very happy to work with staff from the Iberian Peninsula, so as to take gin & tonic to a new level.