Le Classique Gin & Tonic

The gin & tonic is a cocktail composed of gin, tonic water and citrus peel. It is said to have been first created in the 18th century by Dutch and British colonial companies, but many believe this to be a myth…

This cocktail actually comes from the tonic water that was used to fight malaria as seen above. The taste of quinine was too bitter. Sugar and alcohol were added to make it easier to take. The combination of gin and tonic water was a taste revelation and was democratized among the British military and colonists in the early 19th century. The drink became very popular and we remember Winston Churchill’s famous phrase: “Gin and tonic has saved more English lives and souls than all the doctors in the Empire”. Nowadays, tonic waters have gained in quality and diversity to compose magnificent pairings with different styles of gin.