WHY FILIPINOS LOVE THEIR GIN

Back in the day, Filipinos already have their own version of hard liquor. The popular ones such as lambanog, tuba and basi are believed to have been influenced by liquors available from neighboring Southeast Asian countries.

These native drinks were handcrafted -from harvesting base ingredients such as coconut, rice and sugarcane; to fermentation and distillation, everything was traditionally made.

The first bottle of gin was brought to the Philippines by the British in the 1700s, during their brief occupation of Manila. Gin would eventually become a popular dink among Spanish settlers and Filipino elite. To meet the growing demand for the distilled spirit, the first gin distillery opened in Quiapo, Manila in 1834. Technological advancements in gin production also made the drink more affordable to the general populace. Gin became a sought-after commodity and eventually made the Philippines the world’s largest gin market.

There are various reasons why gin turned into such a phenomenon in the Philippines including the tagay culture, its medicinal properties, and versatility. The “tagay” concept of drinking is deeply embedded in Philippine culture. The designated pourer or tanggero is the one who pours the drink in a glass, and passes it around to everyone.

Gin was also believed to be produced in the early 17th century by Dutch physician Franciscus Sylvius and was used to treat stomach ailments, gout, and gallstones among others, because of the antiseptic properties of juniper berries -- a key ingredient of gin.

While gin can be enjoyed on its own, it is also known to be a great base for cocktails. Classic cocktails like the martini and the red snapper are made with gin because of its neutral flavor. In the Philippines, one of the most popular gin concoctions is the GinPom - a mixture of gin and pomelo flavored juice drink. With a resurgence of handcrafted cocktails, Ginebra San Miguel launched its Premium Gin Cart and the Gin Nation Roving Caravan. These mobile bar services serve unique cocktail drinks prepared on site, using fresh ingredients to add new flavors and dimensions to the gin we all know and love.

Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI), a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp., is the producer of the world’s No. 1 selling gin Ginebra San Miguel and other quality distilled spirits including Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, GSM Blue, GSM Blue Flavors, Antonov Vodka, Vino Kulafu and Primera Light Brandy.