British Empire – Manchester Historian

Classically, gin should be served with cubes of ice, a wedge of lime and tonic water. But where do the tonic and lime come from? Tonic contains quinine which has antimalarial properties and became an important mixer with gin for colonial British officers, initially in South Asia but also in Africa. Lime was originally added to gin to make lime juice more palatable, because it was a good countermeasure against scurvy.

Us Brits can hardly make it through the day without a beloved brew, but WHEN and HOW did dried up leaves in water (not, perhaps, the most appetising description) become an essential requirement?