| For sure, everybody knows Gin & Tonic. But do you know how it was invented? The British armies in India discovered that quinine could help prevent malaria (paludisme). They began adding quinine to tonic water but, to hide the horrible taste, the soliders’ gin rations were added to it to make a palatable and medicinal cocktail. Nowadays tonic water contains a lower percentage of quinine but still has a slightly bitter flavour. As an Irish person, I never thought I’d thank the British army for anything but…!! |