What Makes Our “Essential” Tonic Essential?
The Gin & Tonic is a worldwide icon. Here’s how we put our own spin on it.
In celebration of International Gin & Tonic Day, we’re diving deep into the history of the cocktail and how we’ve used those lessons to create our very own Essential Tonic. Keep reading for interesting facts, as well as a recipe for our very own Essential Tonic!
Juniper
Gin’s roots start all the way back in 16th century Holland, where citizens turned to juniper berries to ward off the deadly Black Plague. Though the berries didn’t protect against disease, they did become the base of a local spirit called Genever (the Dutch word for juniper), a darker, sweeter ancestor of modern gin that is still widely enjoyed in the Netherlands.
British soldiers stationed in Holland took a liking to Genever and brought it home with them following the war. Attempts to recreate Genever led to a new spirit, one that was lighter and clearer but still possessed that classic juniper flavor. It became known as Gin, and following the 1690 embargo with France that drove up the price of Brandy, it became Britain’s most popular spirit.
Our New World Gin honors Gin’s roots while keeping “The Spirit of Florida” in mind. We’ve added 12 botanicals to our juniper backbone, including 5 citrus varieties, coriander, angelica root, and other baking spices. We also bottle our gin at 94 proof, which helps to preserve the botanical oils for a delicious and herbal flavor whether you drink it straight or in a cocktail!
Quinine
Ever wondered why tonic water is so bitter? Once again, we can thank British soldiers. During Britain’s invasion and colonization of India, soldiers faced a new threat: malaria. To combat it, they turned to the bark of the cinchona tree, which contains quinine, a natural compound with antimalarial properties.
Since quinine is so bitter, however, soldiers often mixed it with sugar and water to create a more palatable “tonic”. Soldiers also received a daily ration of gin, and before long, they began to mix the gin with this quinine tonic to create a tasty anti-malarial cocktail.
While our Essential Tonic mixer doesn’t ward off malaria, it does include the classic quinine flavor harvested from cinchona bark. We’ve also added additional spices as well as Florida cane syrup for an extra-flavorful cocktail.
Soda Water
Some argue that the Gin & Tonic is really just a combination of two classic British cocktails: Gin & Bitters and the Gin Sling. The first cocktail, which consists of the two namesake ingredients, created a spiced cocktail perfect for colder days. The Gin Sling, on the other hand, combined gin, sugar, soda water, and lime for a refreshing but diluted cocktail.
By adding a splash of soda water and an orange slice on top of your Essential Tonic, you can have the best of both worlds. Our gin and mixer contain warming botanicals and spices, while the soda water and citrus make it the perfect refreshment on a hot day!
Recipe: St. Augustine Distillery Essential Gin & Tonic
Getting thirsty? We understand. Here’s how you can make our very own Essential Tonic, complete with all the flavors and botanicals from our world-class gin and tonic mixer!
RECIPE:
Fill a highball glass with ice.
Add the gin and mixer, stirring gently to combine.
Garnish with a Florida orange slice and serve.
INGREDIENTS:
Florida orange slice (for garnish)
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