The gin revolution

price — it is more of a highend consumer product than a poor-man’s helper. We now speak about gin using the same vocabulary that we use when tasting wine . . . but there is no snobbery attached to the drink, only fortified memories. As TS Eliot once said when asked about his inspiration: “Gin and drugs, dear lady, gin and drugs.” Kurt Schlechter, bar and beverage consultant, says the gin revolution started in Spain about 15 years ago. “The reason it came to South Africa started with local gins, Inverroche in particular, with fynbos flavours, and it’s also part and parcel of the whole craft movement in the world.”

In South Africa this movement started with artisanal coffee and craft beer and continued on to other products like gin and artisanal tonics. Gin is a popular drink because it is so versatile, appeals to both men and women and allows for flavour experimentation. “In Spain, gin is served in a large wine glass,” says Schlechter. “It is a tapas-style serve, which means that the condiments are on the bar counter — rosemary, thyme cucumber, star anise, cardamom pods, mint, lemon peel, orange peel, grapefruit, and so forth. You would get your gin and tonic — with a specialised tonic — and you’ll actually serve yourself.”