The Gin and Tonic is a Cocktail with a Storied History. Don't Overlook Scotland's Connection to the Classic

Context

You know the standard story of the gin and tonic, don't you? British officers, colonial India, malaria prevention. It’s a neat narrative, but like many historical tales, it smooths over a lot of fascinating edges. This piece invites us to look closer, revealing how the G&T’s true origins are far more complex, stretching back centuries and involving a surprising cast of Scottish scientists, merchants, and distillers. It asks us to consider how something so familiar can hide such a rich, international tapestry of innovation and empire.

Show notes