The Gin and Tonic.

There is simply no more civilised (note Imperial spelling) cocktail than the gin and tonic. Not even the Martini can compare. The Martini is sophisticated; the G&T is civilised.

Everyone knows the history of the gin and tonic. British doctors found that quinine mitigated the effects of malaria on patients. The only problem is that quinine is intensely bitter and not very palatable. Their solution? Put it in some water, with a touch of sugar, call it "tonic water", and add gin and lime. (Actually, I think it already existed; they just bumped up the quinine content.)

Thus, British officers could be civilised and healthy at the same time. Nothing like getting your drunk on and stopping that tsetse fly in its deadly little tracks.

Making a good gin and tonic is a simple endeavour (again). Two things are to be remembered by the maker:

1. Use good gin.
2. Use good tonic water.

Let's start with the second: Schweppes or Canada Dry or whatever brand of tonic water are OK, but they tend to make the resultant drink too, um, bitter. Tonic water should be bitter, but balanced. After all, malaria isn't much of a problem, except in certain areas, and they got pills for that now (which I, ironically enough can't take because of a strange blood condition; what do I take in such areas? That's right: Quinine pills). Try Fentiman's. Or Q. Or a new one I'm having right now, called Fever Tree. Each one has a different taste profile and works differently with different gins.

Me, I prefer Plymouth Gin. It has the strong juniper flavour (OK, I'm done) I associate with gin and provides the perfect contrast to the tonic water. It works well with Fentiman's and outstandingly with Q, but I don't care for it with Fever Tree. Too medicinal. Although, give it some time and it settles down reasonably well.... Basically, use a high quality brewed tonic water. It TOTALLY makes the drink.

Martin Miller's, Hendrick's, Tanqueray (NOTE THE 'Q', IT's NOT A 'G'), Bombay, and the like are all good gins. Avoid genever gins, sloe gins, and Old Tom gins. They're not what you think (I'll blog about them later). And Malacca gin. Personally, I haven't really found a use for it. Too botanical, not junipery enough.... I've not had Old Raj or Boomsma, but I want to try them. The joy is trying different combinations.

Here's how to make the perfect G&T:

Add ice to an old fashioned tumbler. about 3/4 full. Pour about a third of the tonic water over the ice. It'll blow out all the carbonation. So be it. That's the point. Then squeeze a healthy lime wedge into it. Then add gin. Don't use too much and don't go to the top. Finish with more tonic water and stir lightly. You don't want to get rid entirely of the carbonation. Taste, and adjust the mix. Add gin and tonic to get the combination you like. The premium tonic waters come in single cocktail portions.

Enjoy. Feel the civilizing influence of the cocktail and forget the ..."unfortunate"... aspects of the British Empire. And be secure in the fact that you are protecting yourself from both malaria AND scurvy....