Gin and Bitter Lemon
Created | Updated Oct 16, 2006
The Gin and Bitter Lemon is a drink lacking the history and trivia that surrounds its big sister the gin and tonic1. But this little feisty upstart (the GBL) makes up for this fact in two ways.
People the length and breadth of Britain have been enjoying this beverage since Schweppes launched their version of the cordial bitter lemon in 1957. Sassy barmen quickly latched on to the idea that a thirst-quenching drink containing gin would be a seller (no doubt after guzzling a few glasses themselves). Its popularity quickly plateaud however and it remains something of a cult, sometimes sneered upon for being, well, too downright invigorating. If any adult reader has not tried a GBL then this researcher recommends that they attempt to do so as soon as possible. As stated any time of day will do, and also as stated, you're in for a nice surprise. Please take care though, for they are tasty and easily imbibed, and as we know everything is best enjoyed in moderation.
Making the perfect Gin and Bitter Lemon
The method is almost identical to making a good gin and tonic. If you follow the maxim 'if anything is worth doing then its worth doing properly' you'll be rewarded fittingly.
- Take your favourite tall glass and half fill it with ice; we want this cold.
- Add a good measure of good quality gin2 (between 30ml and 50ml depending on all sorts of factors).
- Add a good slice of lemon or lime. (Lime is by far the better with the more sophisticated tonic, but bitter lemon can handle the pungency of a good slice of lemon)
- All that remains is to top up your glass with bitter lemon, give it a quick stir and the job, one may say, is a good one.
You may have noticed the omission of a straw. A GBL is better drank straight from a glass as we want the tangy freshness to swill around and titillate the whole mouth, front and back.
1It's worth noting that the GBL does have all the medicinal properties of a gin and tonic as quinine is present in bitter lemon. Legend, or rather rumour, has it that bitter lemon is also a spermicide. One can only wonder at how this may have been discovered, and in turn what use it may have in the future.2For historical and regulatory reasons true gin will advertise itself as 'London Gin' or 'Plymouth Gin'. If not then what you have purchased is in fact not gin at all and will probably taste something akin to perfume.
