Elegant, and yet efficient as an ampersand, there’s a reason the Gin & Tonic (or if you prefer the cheekier G&T) remains one of the most beloved, most popular mixed drink of all time. A fact not lost on the indomitably engaged Winston Churchill, who once gushed that it saved “more Englishmen’s lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire.”
The G: It’s Good For You.
With juniper berries as a core ingredient, the origin of “gin” can be traced back as far back as 70 A.D. when Pedanius Dioscorides, in his voluminous encyclopedia on herbal medicine, calls for the “use of juniper berries steeped in wine” to soothe chest congestion. From there, you’ll find juniper berries in all kinds of concoctions: in 11th century Italy with the Benedictine Monks ‘Compendium Solernita,’ in 16th century with the Dutch and a distilled malt-wine, “Genever” (Jenever) and so on until the 1700s when the British adapted the spirit to their taste and eventually shortened the name to “gin.”
The T: To Your Health
By the 1800s, British soldiers stationed in India began adding a dash of booze to “soften” their daily dose of the malaria tonic. When “quinine tonic” made it onto British ships carrying gin, British sailors paired both with lime juice for their anti-scurvy properties and that’s how combining Gin and Tonic made libation history.
G&T: The Drink
From humble beginnings, the Gin & Tonic became an instant classic—suddenly sophisticated, seamless, and sublime with a squeeze of lime. It was a sensation in the 1900s and by the post-war 1950s, the Gin & Tonic was an absolute smash. Made slightly stronger than intended – where once gin was added as a splash to make the quinine more palatable – the mid-century Gin & Tonic was mostly gin with a splash of tonic.
Like all well-made drinks, simple ingredients require finesse. And, when it comes to the Gin & Tonic, it should be served extremely cold, with a pitch-perfect balance of sweet and bitter, brightly carbonated, keeping the gin at the forefront and never ever buried under the tonic.
In the end, a good Gin & Tonic should appear effortless and entirely effervescent—after all, it is but two ingredients, three if you count the lime.
Cheerio!
Events

Sip & Soak It Up: Sazerac Through the Ages
Taste your way through Sazerac’s storied history with archivist Nick Laracuente. Your journey begins with a sample of Sazerac de Forge Cognac made in Segonzac, France, where the Sazerac family were distilling Eau de Vie in the 1600s. The Sazerac family grew into international distributors as their products are shipped to New Orleans. A pour of Sazerac Rye follows to highlight the industry transition as France’s grape stocks were plagued by phylloxera giving rise to a popularity in rye whiskies. Next, sample a bourbon from Sazerac’s Buffalo Trace Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. During Prohibition the distillery was even permitted to remain operational, to make whiskey for "medicinal purposes.” When Prohibition ends in 1933, only four distilleries in Kentucky are capable of producing whiskey – Buffalo Trace, then known as George T. Stagg Distillery, is one of the last standing. Lastly, enjoy an exclusive pour to toast what is on the horizon as Sazerac continues to Honor Tradition and Embrace Change through constant experimentation and innovation as it develops spirits fit for any occasion. Your ticket price ($45) will include tasting of four Sazerac products, light refreshments, new information and artifacts not shared with the public before, as well as the opportunity to ask questions about any of our historic brands directly to the caretaker of Sazerac’s history! Seating is limited. This is a 21+ event.

Sip & Soak It Up: Sazerac Through the Ages
Taste your way through Sazerac’s storied history with archivist Nick Laracuente. Your journey begins with a sample of Sazerac de Forge Cognac made in Segonzac, France, where the Sazerac family were distilling Eau de Vie in the 1600s. The Sazerac family grew into international distributors as their products are shipped to New Orleans. A pour of Sazerac Rye follows to highlight the industry transition as France’s grape stocks were plagued by phylloxera giving rise to a popularity in rye whiskies. Next, sample a bourbon from Sazerac’s Buffalo Trace Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. During Prohibition the distillery was even permitted to remain operational, to make whiskey for "medicinal purposes.” When Prohibition ends in 1933, only four distilleries in Kentucky are capable of producing whiskey – Buffalo Trace, then known as George T. Stagg Distillery, is one of the last standing. Lastly, enjoy an exclusive pour to toast what is on the horizon as Sazerac continues to Honor Tradition and Embrace Change through constant experimentation and innovation as it develops spirits fit for any occasion. Your ticket price ($45) will include tasting of four Sazerac products, light refreshments, new information and artifacts not shared with the public before, as well as the opportunity to ask questions about any of our historic brands directly to the caretaker of Sazerac’s history! Seating is limited. This is a 21+ event.

Sip & Shop
Holiday Sip & Shop Thursday, December 14th, 2023 5:00pm – 8:00pm Join us for a Holiday Sip & Shop to prepare for the gift-giving season in style! This event promises to bring the spirit to light with beautifully packaged spirited gift sets, cocktail accoutrements, clothing, barware and even fun gifts for our four-legged friends! DJ87 will keep the season bright with holiday favorites spinning all night. Enjoy a complimentary spiked Apple Cider while you shop. If that didn’t get you feeling merry and bright, Santa will be on site from 5:30pm – 6:30pm for a holiday photo keepsake from LazyEye Photography! Opt-in to a mini cocktail class offered every half hour where you can experience a classic holiday cocktail and leave with the recipe to recreate at your own celebration! Just $12.25! (See what we did there??) When you register to join us for this complimentary event, you will have the opportunity to pre-purchase homerun gifts!
