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'''Gin''' is an alcoholic beverage made by distilling the mash of fermented grain.  The resulting spirit is then flavored by the addition of herbal extracts, primarily juniper berries. The main producers of gin are England, Ireland and the Netherlands.

'''Gin''' is an [[alcoholic beverage]] made by distilling the mash of fermented [[grain]].  The resulting spirit is then flavored by the addition of herbal extracts, primarily [[juniper]] berries. The main producers of gin are [[England]], [[Ireland]] and the [[Netherlands]].

==England and Ireland==

==England and Ireland==

In England there are two distinct types, London gin and Plymouth gin.  Ireland produces Cork gin (named after the city not the bark of the cork oak tree).  Gin used to a popular intoxicant of the working classes and the artist Hogarth produced a series of prints on the theme of gin.  A popular euphemism for gin in England is ''Mother's Ruin''. Although gin was originally consumed neat, it is now mainly consumed in mixed drinks, the most famous of which is '''gin and tonic'''.   

In England there are two distinct types, [[London]] gin and [[Plymouth]] gin.  Ireland produces [[Cork]] gin (named after the city not the bark of the cork oak tree).  Gin used to a popular intoxicant of the working classes and the [[artist]] [[Hogarth]] produced a series of prints on the theme of gin.  A popular euphemism for gin in England is ''Mother's Ruin''. Although gin was originally consumed neat, it is now mainly consumed in mixed drinks, the most famous of which is '''gin and tonic'''.   

===Gin & Tonic===

===Gin & Tonic===

It is allegded that the origin of gin and tonic is from the British Army in colonial India. It had been discovered that [[quinine]] had anti-malarial properties and it was prescribed to the soldiers.  However, the taste was very bitter and the British Tommies found that it was much more palatable when mixed with gin. Having built up a popular following for the cocktail, quinine water was later commercialised as effervescent Indian Tonic Water.  It should be noted that the present levels of quinine in tonic water are low and it requires the consumption of copious amounts to have any prohylactic effect.  

It is allegded that the origin of gin and tonic is from the British Army in colonial [[India]]. It had been discovered that [[quinine]] had anti-malarial properties and it was prescribed to the soldiers.  However, the taste was very bitter and the British [[Tommie]]s found that it was much more palatable when mixed with gin. Having built up a popular following for the [[cocktail]], quinine water was later commercialised as effervescent Indian [[Tonic Water]].  It should be noted that the present levels of quinine in tonic water are low and it requires the consumption of copious amounts to have any [[prohylactic]] effect.  

==Netherlands==

==Netherlands==

In the Netherlands gin is known as jenever with two distinct varieters, jonge and oude (young and old).  The flavor of Dutch jenever is much more pungent than the English and Irish varieties.  Dutch gin is normally drunk neat and chilled.

In the Netherlands gin is known as jenever with two distinct varieters, jonge and oude (young and old).  The flavor of [[Dutch]] jenever is much more pungent than the English and Irish varieties.  Dutch gin is normally drunk neat and chilled.