According to Winston Churchill, the gin and tonic “has saved more Englishmen’s lives and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire.”
These days, of course, a case could be made as to whether or not those Englishmen’s lives, as they wreaked havoc over a quarter of the world while ruling their Empire, were actually worth saving. But that is a moral debate for another day.
Meanwhile, it was the quinine in the tonic that was responsible for any lives saved. Seventeenth century Peruvians discovered that the bark of the cinchona tree (which became known as the fever tree) could be used to treat various fevers. It worked impressively well for not only treating malaria but preventing it as well. As a result quinine became the secret weapon allowing the British to rule their distant land of India.
Quinine though is particularly bitter, so officers took to adding it to water with a bit of sugar. Eventually, some bright spark had the genius idea of adding it to gin, turning it from bitter potion to refreshing medicinal cocktail to be enjoyed in the waning hours of afternoon heat and sun.
And while that sun may have eventually set on the empire, the classic gin and tonic lives on.
It’s one of the simplest of drinks to make: half gin, half tonic over ice with the classic accompaniment of a lime wedge. But simple doesn’t stop people from having very clear opinions of what gin to use, what tonic and even what ice. I personally favour Hendricks gin for its light rose and cucumber overtones, because I’m not wild about juniper.
And because simple frequently invites creativity, I have muddled, pureed and concocted my way into a strawberry and black pepper gin and tonic, a raspberry and mint as well as a grapefruit and thyme and while these were all perfectly enjoyable, none came close to being good enough to warrant so much faffing around. However, additional flavoring that does work exceptionally well, and is easy to boot, is elderflower and cucumber.
This combination nicely highlights the drink’s herbaciousness while adding a touch of floral. And you can make it a variety of ways because Fever Tree makes both a cucumber and an elderflower tonic which are both delicious. Use elderflower and add slices of cucumber or use the cucumber and add a splash of elderflower liqueur. Or, use regular tonic with a splash of elderflower liqueur and a muddle of cucumber.
And for a delicious accompaniment of the utmost ease, open a bag of salt and vinegar chips (Kettle Chips brand is the best), otherwise, keeping in line with its Indian roots, enjoy your gin and tonic with a good curry.
