Just gin and bear it

Dutch physician Franciscus Sylvius is considered the first to distill gin in the early 17th century. This tasty spirit—as most early distillations—was primarily created for medicinal value, as a beverage infused with botanicals. In fact, it’s name derives from the Dutch word “jenever” which translated to English indicates its prime flavouring of juniper berries. It has nothing to do with a Swiss city: Geneva Gin comes from Holland. At first, gin was distilled in a pot still, and was sweeter than the gin we are familiar with today. With the introduction of the column still, gin began to be distilled in the “London Dry” style that we recognize today.

Gin has enjoyed good and bad press throughout the ages. The spirit is mentioned in “Oliver Twist” and also in “The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders”. Soldiers found a dram or two, prior to battle, gave what is commonly referred to as “Dutch Courage”. Disreputable establishments were referred to as “gin joints” and if one were three sheets to the wind you would be “ginsoaked”. It is interesting to note that gin, at first, was the chosen beverage of the less fortunate, because it was not subject to taxation. (One wonders if the tempest over taxing marijuana is in any way similar. Governments always need money.)

I submit that the introduction of tonic water made gin a classless spirit. The ever popular G&T originated from when the British stationed troops and civil servants in climates that were susceptible to malarial outbreaks. The treatment — no matter your station —was a daily dose of quinine, which is very bitter. The solution was to combine the quinine with a little sugar and the daily ration of gin. And so was born the ever-popular beverage that is enjoyed to this day.

Mixologists have created many other excellent gin-based drinks such as the “Dry Martini” or the “Pimm’s Cup”. The former is an excellent way to stimulate the appetite, and the latter is a wonderful, refreshing way to cool down or watch the sun dip under the horizon. Gin is a most accommodating and versatile spirit, and remains very popular throughout the world.

THIS WEEK’S PICK
We are fortunate to have our own distillery in Prince Edward County. 66 Gilead Distillery has created their Loyalist Gin using a base of their Wheat Vodka. I suspect that, on the second distillation, the vapor is passed through their own farm-grown junipers and a reserved recipe of other botanicals. The aromas are an amazing blend of pine, cucumber, vanilla extract and juniper; the palate is full of juniper, fresh anise and licorice root. In its pure form, it has a warm, clove-like spiciness that dances and lingers over the tongue. I made a stunning Bloody Mary cocktail with this gin, and can recommend it as a great Sunday brunch meal-ina- glass. It makes a unique Dirty Martini using blue-cheese-stuffed olives.

66 Gilead’s Loyalist Gin is unique and, better still, local. It is available at the distillery located at 66 Gilead Road, in Bloomfield, and now at the local LCBO.