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>From the outset, it was laced with memories, or myths, of imperial rule; what Schweppes first sold in 1870 was not just tonic water but “Indian Tonic Water,” a

>From the outset, it was laced with memories, or myths, of imperial rule; what Schweppes first sold in 1870 was not just tonic water but “Indian Tonic Water,” and today, though besieged by an army of Fever-Tree tonics, it still holds considerable sway. The water is tonic because it contains quinine, which is anti-malarial—a lifesaver, if you happen to be invading or infesting a marshy foreign land. Oh yes - gin and tonic should be rightfully considered India's national drink. Its what the British had to invent to not die.

onion2k 7y ago
Its what the British had to invent to not die. Exactly. G&T is essentially an important preventative medicine, and I should drink it more often so I won't get malaria here in the North East of the UK.
- arethuza 7y ago
  G&T was the most disgusting thing I had ever tasted until I acquired a taste for it and now it is one of the nicest. Mind you for some reason my recollection of how I acquired a near-constant craving for G&T is somewhat blurry. Edit: Note that I don't drink that often but even thinking about a G&T literally makes my mouth water.
  - SmellyGeekBoy 7y ago
    I also assumed it was one of those "acquired taste" things - like as a teenager I really couldn't stand the taste of beer but I drank it because all my peers did. Now I love the stuff. Unfortunately the same can't be said for G&T, much as I want to like it.
    - onion2k 7y ago
      Given the proliferation of different flavored gins[1] I think it's possible no one actually likes the taste of gin. There are hundreds of flavors on Amazon.co.uk[2]. [1] https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=gin&rh=n%3A340834031%2Cn%3A359896031&dc&qid=1575468496&rnid=1642204031&ref=sr_nr_n_2 https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=gin&rh=n%3A340834031%2Cn%3A3598... [2] Amazon.com doesn't sell beer or spirits. Weird.
      - alfromspace 7y ago
        I promise I actually like the taste of gin.
      - noarchy 7y ago
        >Amazon.com doesn't sell beer or spirits. Weird. It isn't weird if you know how strange the alcohol laws can be across North America, including Canada. Shipping alcohol from one state (or province, in my case) to another isn't always possible.
      - blackearl 7y ago
        Some classic Beefeater is great. I like gin quite a bit, perhaps more than rum
    - fennecfoxen 7y ago
      If you do actually want to like it, be sure that you have tried a place that offers Fever Tree tonic and Hendrick's gin and ask for them by name. Do not simply ask for a generic "gin and tonic" made with their cheapest gin and tonic syrup mixed up in their soda dispenser — either of which are quite liable to render the concoction entirely undrinkable. A good gin and tonic also includes a lime wedge. Even a little of this in the drink makes a big difference. (Yes, there are definitely other gins that would work, and indeed, other tonics — but these are the more popular big names which you will have more luck finding at bars.)
      - sandGorgon 7y ago
        The best gin and tonic recipe is again Indian flavors . Mango slices and pepper . They have a certain chemical that binds with the stuff inside gin and makes it better.
    - nkrisc 7y ago
      As someone who loves bitter and sour flavors (I enjoy raw onion, garlic, lime/lemon, horseradish, and yes: straight gin) a G&T was a delight from the very first sip I ever had. Not comparing it to those examples, but I love the bitter flavors of it.
  - mstade 7y ago
    > Mind you for some reason my recollection of how I acquired a near-constant craving for G&T is somewhat blurry. I believe this is a strong indication that you were doing it right. ;o)
  - orev 7y ago
    You might notice how much corn syrup/sugar is now added to store-bought tonic water. I have no doubt (but no proof) that this has increased over time. So that could be why you find them more palatable now.
    - klyrs 7y ago
      Went the other way, for me. I used to love tonic water, neat, but it's gotten to be so sweet that it's unenjoyable.
  - sharadov 7y ago
    For years I almost exclusively drank Sapphire and tonic.
jerrysievert 7y ago
a great recipe for your own tonic can be found here: https://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/ https://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/how-to-make-your-own-ton... it's quite a good tonic when prepared correctly.
tptacek 7y ago
There's an entire chapter in Arnold's Liquid Intelligence dedicated to his quest to perfect the G&T. It's an amazing book, highly, highly recommended. Spoiler for the mere-mortal version: store your gin in the freezer, use a fresh bottle of tonic water stored on ice, serve in a highball glass (you're not well equipped enough to do his champagne flute version), 1 3/4 oz gin to 3 1/4 tonic --- measure the tonic by first measuring 5 oz of plain water into the glass, noting the water level, and free-pouring the tonic to that same level (jiggering the tonic loses too much carbonation).

onion2k 7y ago

Its what the British had to invent to not die. Exactly. G&T is essentially an important preventative medicine, and I should drink it more often so I won't get malaria here in the North East of the UK.

arethuza 7y ago
G&T was the most disgusting thing I had ever tasted until I acquired a taste for it and now it is one of the nicest. Mind you for some reason my recollection of how I acquired a near-constant craving for G&T is somewhat blurry. Edit: Note that I don't drink that often but even thinking about a G&T literally makes my mouth water.
- SmellyGeekBoy 7y ago
  I also assumed it was one of those "acquired taste" things - like as a teenager I really couldn't stand the taste of beer but I drank it because all my peers did. Now I love the stuff. Unfortunately the same can't be said for G&T, much as I want to like it.
  - onion2k 7y ago
    Given the proliferation of different flavored gins[1] I think it's possible no one actually likes the taste of gin. There are hundreds of flavors on Amazon.co.uk[2]. [1] https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=gin&rh=n%3A340834031%2Cn%3A359896031&dc&qid=1575468496&rnid=1642204031&ref=sr_nr_n_2 https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=gin&rh=n%3A340834031%2Cn%3A3598... [2] Amazon.com doesn't sell beer or spirits. Weird.
    - alfromspace 7y ago
      I promise I actually like the taste of gin.
    - noarchy 7y ago
      >Amazon.com doesn't sell beer or spirits. Weird. It isn't weird if you know how strange the alcohol laws can be across North America, including Canada. Shipping alcohol from one state (or province, in my case) to another isn't always possible.
    - blackearl 7y ago
      Some classic Beefeater is great. I like gin quite a bit, perhaps more than rum
  - fennecfoxen 7y ago
    If you do actually want to like it, be sure that you have tried a place that offers Fever Tree tonic and Hendrick's gin and ask for them by name. Do not simply ask for a generic "gin and tonic" made with their cheapest gin and tonic syrup mixed up in their soda dispenser — either of which are quite liable to render the concoction entirely undrinkable. A good gin and tonic also includes a lime wedge. Even a little of this in the drink makes a big difference. (Yes, there are definitely other gins that would work, and indeed, other tonics — but these are the more popular big names which you will have more luck finding at bars.)
    - sandGorgon 7y ago
      The best gin and tonic recipe is again Indian flavors . Mango slices and pepper . They have a certain chemical that binds with the stuff inside gin and makes it better.
  - nkrisc 7y ago
    As someone who loves bitter and sour flavors (I enjoy raw onion, garlic, lime/lemon, horseradish, and yes: straight gin) a G&T was a delight from the very first sip I ever had. Not comparing it to those examples, but I love the bitter flavors of it.
- mstade 7y ago
  > Mind you for some reason my recollection of how I acquired a near-constant craving for G&T is somewhat blurry. I believe this is a strong indication that you were doing it right. ;o)
- orev 7y ago
  You might notice how much corn syrup/sugar is now added to store-bought tonic water. I have no doubt (but no proof) that this has increased over time. So that could be why you find them more palatable now.
  - klyrs 7y ago
    Went the other way, for me. I used to love tonic water, neat, but it's gotten to be so sweet that it's unenjoyable.
- sharadov 7y ago
  For years I almost exclusively drank Sapphire and tonic.

jerrysievert 7y ago

a great recipe for your own tonic can be found here: https://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/ https://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/how-to-make-your-own-ton... it's quite a good tonic when prepared correctly.

tptacek 7y ago

There's an entire chapter in Arnold's Liquid Intelligence dedicated to his quest to perfect the G&T. It's an amazing book, highly, highly recommended. Spoiler for the mere-mortal version: store your gin in the freezer, use a fresh bottle of tonic water stored on ice, serve in a highball glass (you're not well equipped enough to do his champagne flute version), 1 3/4 oz gin to 3 1/4 tonic --- measure the tonic by first measuring 5 oz of plain water into the glass, noting the water level, and free-pouring the tonic to that same level (jiggering the tonic loses too much carbonation).