Celebrate International G&T Day with Montecasino’s magnifico gin creations

There was no better place to celebrate International Gin & Tonic Day this past weekend than at Montecasino, the home of some of the most decadent and flavourful gin and tonics in Jozi.

From the fragrant scent of lavender to the berrylicious flavours of raspberries and blueberries, bespoke creations of G&Ts await at a multitude of destinations throughout Gauteng’s premier destination.

Wikipedia attributes the creation of the G&T to the army in the British East India Company in India. Malaria was a persistent problem at the time and in the 1700s Scottish doctor George Cleghorn studied how quinine, a traditional cure for malaria, could be used to prevent the disease. The quinine was drunk in tonic water, however the bitter taste was unpleasant. British officers in India in the early 19th century took to adding a mixture of water, sugar, lime and gin to the quinine in order to make the drink more palatable, thus gin and tonic was born. Soldiers in India were already given a gin ration, and the sweet concoction made sense. Since it is no longer used as an antimalarial, tonic water today contains much less quinine, is usually sweetened, and is consequently much less bitter.

Malaria prevention aside, the popularity of gin is uncontested, and the rise of craft gin has given new life to the classic concoction. Nowhere is this more evident than at Montecasino, where having it all is the order of the day. If your sense of adventure is equalled only by your love of G&Ts, why not take a sunset gin exploration in celebration of International Gin & Tonic Day – you’ll find lavender and lime, raspberry and thyme, blue magic and more.

In the spirit of the occasion, Montecasino is sharing the recipes of five signature G&Ts from Portugalo, 3SIXTY, Southern Sun Montecasino, Malt Barrel & Fire, and Fireroom to impress your friends in the comfort of your own home!