Gin Facts

Gin and Tonic became a popular means of taking quinine (present in cinchona bark used to make tonic) to prevent malaria.
The first cocktail listed in the first British book to contain cocktail recipes was a gin cocktail with ginger syrup, orange curaçao and bitters.
Most juniper used in gin is picked wild. Almost none is cultivated.
The creator of James Bond, Ian Fleming, left quite the impression on gin drinkers: he’s credited with inventing the Vesper, a cousin of the Martini.
Martini blends gin or vodka, and vermouth – topped with a lemon twist.
Funnily enough, the juniper berry is actually not a berry at all. It’s a female seed cone, which is a highly evolved pinecone with fleshy and merged scales which gives it the exterior of a berry.
London Dry Gin doesn’t actually need to be made in London – instead, it is a broad style guideline rather than a legal requirement.
There are nearly 300 gin producers in the UK, and over 2500 worldwide.