As if you need telling! Combine in a glass filled with ice and garnish with whatever takes your fancy! A favourite tipple of Queen Elizabeth, who is said to be partial to this as a nightcap, carrying on a tradition set by her late mother. A refreshingly fruity drink with a slightly bitter edge

Double Dutch Pomegranate & Basil – Basil is part of the anise family and has similar flavours to liquorice, making it a nice match with the botanicals in Fifty Pounds Gin. Pomegranate adds a subtle sweetness. This tonic will bring out the herbaceous aromas. And it’s not just quinine that helped prevent disease. Juniper is a natural flea repellent. During the years of the plague, doctors would wear masks filled with juniper as they believed it protected them from bad odours, the then suspected cause of the plague. They were only half right, but it’s still a win. Artisan Skinny London Tonic – If you’re looking for a lighter tonic, this one pairs well with Fifty Pounds Gin due to its complex citrus notes. Garnish with a juicy slice of orange. Keeping it simple with tonic and a slice of orange. Jeffrey’s tonic is recommended to be mixed at a 1:5 ratio with soda. There are two Jeffrey’s syrups that stand out when looking for a mixer for Fifty Pounds Gin. The Original Recipe with an orange peel as a garnish, and the Lime, Galangal & Orange is great with a lime twist. The rise of the “balloon glass” – the “copa” – originates in Spain. The point of the glass is to hold more ice. Contrary to what you might expect, the more ice there is, the less it will melt and dilute the important content.In the years that followed, continued legislation and other social reasons lead to the increased production. It didn’t happen overnight, nor was there a single moment that tipped the balance and lead to the swathe of poor quality spirits being made in the UK. He resists the suggestion that this was visionary on his part. “No it wasn’t – it was obstinate,” he laughs. “It was just what I knew. It’s totally in my blood.” Gin, however, is definitely English. The juniper comes from the Dutch spirit, but the recipe and method that gives us gin is, officially, all ours. Before the Ginaissance really started, the choice of tonic waters was minimal and the quality was not great due to the various artificial ingredients and sweeteners used. These artificial flavourings can create a slight metallic taste, which can also ruin the taste of good-quality gin when served together. You want your tonic to have enough bubbles, long-lasting fizziness and natural flavour, good enough for you to drink it on its own. Some like it more citrusy, others dry and crisp.

Those who are looking for a clean, very dry and understated classic style gin will surely find a lot to like with Fifty Pounds Gin. I think it’s an easy step for those looking for something new, but something similarly old at the same time. Fans of Beefeater and Broker’s will likely find this a new favorite. The nose of Fifty Pounds Gin is lemon, lime, juniper, and very classic in character. Just a tinge of sweetness and creamy lemon as well. The nose is markedly lighter and clearer then the palate. Fifty Pounds Gin is a London gin. That’s not because it’s where we make it. London Gin is a defined style, where the predominant flavour must be juniper and its flavour must come from the distillation process – you can’t add flavours, or colour, after distillation. The fine was introduced to restrict the illegal production of gin. It was probably required – at the time it was introduced, around one in five London properties was producing gin.And, finally – well, possibly, there could be more – Gin may have been inspired by Holland, and perfected in England but it’s drunk mostly in The Philippines? Filipinos consume a remarkable 1.4 litres per person every year, compared to the UK’s paltry-by-comparison 0.4 litres. Mother’s ruin Double Dutch Indian Tonic Water – The top note of quinine is balanced with pink grapefruit. This is a perfect tonic for classic gins and therefore matches well with Fifty Pounds Gin garnished with a slice of orange.