Gin

Gin: from humble medicine to celebrity status

From humble medicine to celebrity status

With a colourful past and links to English nobility, Gin is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity on the back of revived interest in iconic cocktails and famous brands. Gin gets its name from the Dutch word, jenever, or the French, genièvre, both meaning ‘juniper’. A distilled neutral spirit, Gin derives its distinctive flavour from the addition of juniper berries and other botanicals including any of anise, liquorice root, cinnamon, lime peel, saffron, coriander and many others.

Originating from Holland when Dutch physician Franciscus Sylvius re-distilled malt spirit or wines with juniper berries, it was discovered by English troops fighting in the Eighty Years War, who took it back across the English Channel. The English simplified the distillation process and the resulting ‘London Dry Gin’ is the most popular version available today, although Dutch Gin or Old Tom Gin is still produced. Another form is Sloe Gin where the fruit of the blackthorn (Sloe) is infused into the gin.

Gin cocktails

Gin can boast two of the most famous cocktails known around the world today. Gin and tonic (G&T) and the Martini. Now ingrained into modern culture, the G&T has its roots as a medicine used to unsuccessfully fight the bubonic plague. Quinine was the ingredient thought to have curing properties and was diluted with carbonated water to create Tonic Water. To mask the unpleasant flavours, Gin was added and the famous cocktail was born. The Martini is thought to have been born in New York’s Knickerbocker Hotel by the barman allegedly named, Martini. Traditionally it consists of 55mL of gin and 15mL of dry vermouth and garnished with an olive.

The Martini - cocktail of the rich and famous

Due to the Martini’s US origins, western popular culture is littered with references to the cocktail. A favourite of celebrities and political leaders alike, Truman Capote, Ernest Hemingway, Cary Grant, Jimmy Carter and Winston Churchill are thought to be avid Martini lovers. Possibly the most famous Martini drinker is Ian Fleming’s fictional spy character, James Bond. Bond’s “Shaken, not stirred” Martini is widely considered to be a based on vodka rather than gin, Bond enjoyed both kinds and even spawned an original cocktail, the ‘Vesper’ from the Casino Royale novel. Consisting of three parts gin, 1 part vodka and a half part of Lillet Blanc.

Gin’s famous brands

Just like Vodka, Scotch, Bourbon and even Champagne, the world of gin is littered with prestigious brands that evoke thoughts of long and subtle flavours of exotic spice with hints of citrus and herbs. Some of the most famous and available at Dan Murphy’s are:

  • Bombay Sapphire - An English gin distilled with 10 botanicals that leaves a long, spicy aftertaste.
  • Gordon’s - A London dry gin made with 100% natural ingredients. A strong juniper flavour balanced with coriander.
  • Hendrick’s - Hailing from Scotland this clean, crisp and refreshing gin is rated number 1 by the Wall Street Journal.
  • Plymouth - Made at the Black Friars Distillery since 1793, one of only 3 alcoholic beverages to be protected by geographic European Union laws.
  • Tanqueray No. 10 - A super premium gin, it is hand picked and shows great depth with a complex mouthfeel.
Gin section of a Dan Murphy's store

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