The cocktail idea began during the reign of the British East India Company in India during the 1700’s. Malaria had been roaming around in India and became a problem. To treat Malaria, George Cleghorn, a Scottish doctor, discovered that quinine, a flavour component of tonic water, could be used to treat malaria. However, not many liked the taste. So, British officers in India in the early 1800’s began adding water, sugar, lime, and gin to the tonic water, and thus a gin and tonic was born. While tonic water isn’t used as an antimalarial treatment, tonic water contains less quinine and is sweeter. As for the gin component of the cocktail, gin is made explicitly with juniper berries and was sold in 17th century Holland as a cure for medical issues like gout, gallstones and stomach problems. From there, gin and tonic became a popularised British drink, one that would even transcend into popular culture. One of the most famous references for this drink was in the movie Dr. No from the James Bond series. Bond talks about one of these drinks in Jamaica a recipe where you would squeeze a whole lime into the drink itself, making the drink tart and refreshing. I don't mind if I do
