The NFL is playing its annual London game on Sunday when the Jacksonville Jaguars “host” the Indianapolis Colts in a game that will air at 9:30 a.m. We’re not sure what the Londoners know about American football tailgating culture but we do know they know their gin and tonics. The drink was invented by British soldiers in India in the 1800s to make quinine – which prevented and treated malaria – go down a little smoother. They mixed the bitter-tasting quinine with water, sugar, lime and gin – which soldiers already received a ration of – and voila. Even better than a spoonful of sugar!
The G and T is a refreshing tailgate choice for sports fans still dealing with the when-is-fall-going-to-get-here heat. Check out this tried-and-true recipe from Chowhound.com:
Ingredients
- Ice
- 2 or 3 ounces London dry gin
- 1 lime wedge
- 4 ounces tonic water
Instructions
Take a chilled Old Fashioned glass and fill halfway with ice cubes. Add the gin (2 ounces for a standard drink, 3 ounces for a stiff one).
Rub the lime wedge around the rim of the glass, squeeze in a few drops of juice, and drop the lime into the glass.
Top with the tonic, give it a quick stir, and serve.
Spirit Thursday: Bourbon
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