From genever to the G&T, the etymology of that very British drink, gin

A “Gin Craze” arose: poet and satirist Alexander Pope’s 1738 account of Hanoverian England describes “[a] spirituous liquor, the exorbitant use of which had almost destroyed the lowest rank of the People till it was restrained by an act of Parliament in 1736”.

By the mid-18th century, the gin produced in London – “London gin” – had been developed to be less coarse, more subtly flavoured, to be used for mixed drinks. Original Dutch genever is referred to in English as “Hollands gin”, “Hollands” or “Dutch gin”, usually sipped neat.

Now cross another body of water to the Indian subcontinent – rife with malaria – where the East India Company was operating. Quinine – an extract from the South American cinchona tree, or “fever tree” – which until World War I was the only effective treatment for malaria, was dissolved and drunk in tonic water.

To mask its bitter taste, 19th century army officers in India would add water, sugar, lime and gin.

This concoction is written about from the mid-19th century. An 1872 Times of India piece reports: “Having partaken of gin and tonic, I began to take notice of things passing outside of my inner consciousness.”

Its association as a most British drink is also widely recognised: a 1941 New Yorker advertisement hails “The true British Gin-and-Tonic made with Schweppes!”

Such popularity meant it became well known by its initials – “G and T”, or “G&T” – by the mid-20th century.

World Gin Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of June.