Currently in the best-selling category Gin Lane 1751 Victoria Pink Gin is in the pink. Oh, I’m sorry, this pink gin truly doesn’t deserve flippancy, but it’s a pink gin that hits the spot, and having sampled, and then again, I’m feeling full of beans.
So, why Gin Lane – 1751?
The British Gin Act of 1751 is an important landmark in the history of gin production, marking the beginning of the long journey towards becoming the reformed spirit of the 21st century. Basically, gin was – shall we say – being over consumed. The act was brought in to solve this problem. It restricted those who could sell it, and raised the tax on gin, and therefore the price. At the same time the drinking of tea was encouraged. Well… Tea? TEA?
However, it did indeed cut the out-of-control (hence the nickname – mothers’ ruin) drinking.
But time moved on, and in the 19th century bitters were given to sailors in the RN as a treatment for sea sickness. As you can imagine bitters might actually add to the problem unless – yes, you’ve got it, they were made more palatable – tra la la… bring on the gin.
So, let us raise a glass to the seasick sailors who unbeknown to them created the classic pink gin cocktail.
I can remember it as a drink my parents enjoyed but then its popularity lapsed until – here we are again, enjoying today’s popular pink gin trend.
GIN LANE 1751: ‘VICTORIA’ PINK GIN is of a well crafted Victorian style originating in an age when there was a predominance of juniper berries with hints of liquorice. Add to that other botanicals: cassia bark, angelica, Sicilian lemon, coriander, orris Root, seville orange, star anise, blend well and here you have it, this deliciously smooth uplifting gin.
Try it over the Bank Holiday.
Blended by the eighth generation London distiller, Mr Charles Maxwell.
Let’s hear it for Mr Charles Maxwell – very well done, sir, the sailors on the Royal Naval ships would have been delighted, but not as much as we are at Frost Magazine.
Available from Aldi, Amazon, Co-op, thedrinkshop.com, Selfridges. RRSP: £19.99
Annie Clarke’s novel (pub Arrow) will be published on 29th May: Girls on the Home Front