Luxebook June 2022

I t was in 1985, during British Raj in India, that malaria was of primary concern and, tonic mixed with quinine —a bitter extract from the pungent bark of the South American cinchona tree — was prescribed to the British in India in abundance due to its anti-malarial properties. While it was an extremely bitter concoction, when mixed with carbonated water and sugar (what we now call tonic) it became a treat, and this led to the birth of the classic G&T. The winning combination of gin and tonic was somewhat of an accident, and has evolved throughout history. From its accidental origins as an anti-malarial treatment in India, to the baroque garnishes of the Spanish ‘gin tonica’, to the present-day version of the G&T, come summer, and it’s time to sip on some delicious version of the drink. or a drink with only three ingredients — gin, tonic, and a garnish of your choice — the flavours of a perfectly made G&T can often leave you reenergised. With the scorching heat,there is nothing as refreshing as a chilled glass of Gin and Tonic. After it’s accident. it soon became a popular cocktail in the United Kingdom as well as overseas. The Spanish were quick to catch on to the trend, but not without giving it their own spin. Bringing to the table a Spanish version of the G&T or Gin Tonica. A G&T unlike anything before, highball glasses were swapped with a Copa Glass and gin and tonics were paired with flavoursome botanicals, and garnishes. Till today, we see a lot of experimentation with the G&T, and it will continue to rise. One thing is certain — the gin trend is here to stay! Fun Fact: ‘Copa’ is a Spanish word for glass, and it was in fact the Spanish who started the trend of serving gin and tonic this way. With more people jumping on the right side of the spirit and the emergence of multiple homegrown gin brands, the demand for gin is currently at an all-time high. While your bar may offer guests an expansive selection of gins from across the world, the question is do you have the right glasses to accompany it? When it comes to glassware, the highball tends to be the traditional glass of choice, given the design that provides ample space for ice, tonic and other mixers. The tall sleek shape can further help to keep your drink cool and fizzy. But as the popularity of gin has surged, so have the types of glasses. In recent years with gin becoming a staple choice for cocktails, there has also been a rise in popularity in the ‘Copa’, or balloon glass. Make the flavour notes of your G&T a little more spectacular with our edit of the best glassware. The ultimate guide to the prettiest Gin Glass s CRYSTAL CL E AR 36| L U X E B O O K | J U N E 2 0 2 2 J U N E 2 0 2 2 | L U X E B O O K | 37