WELCOME TO An Entertainment Site for Scottish Country Dancers - Enjoy the curated selection of theme-related dances for celebrations and holidays, or find a dance associated with a special calendar day, or EVEN your own birthday!
Gin & Tonic Day
Oct 19
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
“… I decided I was a lemon for a couple of weeks. I kept myself amused all that time jumping in and out of a gin and tonic … "
Gin and tonic, anyone? This iconic drink owes its origins, in part, to Dr. William Cleghorn, an 18th-century Scottish physician who pioneered the use of cinchona bark, rich in quinine, to treat malaria. Cleghorn practiced in Menorca, one of the Balearic Islands, where British military personnel were stationed. His remedy, known for its effectiveness against fevers, helped shape early understanding of tropical diseases. Fast forward to the 19th century, when British soldiers stationed in India and other tropical regions drank tonic water infused with quinine to ward off malaria. The bitter taste of quinine led them to mix the tonic with gin, and thus the classic gin and tonic was born. Although whisky is Scotland's favorite, Scottish gin is undergoing a revival, with craft distilleries using traditional botanicals like juniper, lemon peel, and coriander, along with uniquely Scottish ingredients such as bramble, bog myrtle, and rowan berry. Today, the gin and tonic remains a refreshing social drink, no longer tied to its medicinal roots, but still enjoyed around the world. Celebrate today with this healthful tribute reel and perhaps a gin and tonic afterwards, lots of ice! 🌿 🥃 🧊 🧊 🧊
Cleghorn's Remedy
October 19th is Gin and Tonic Day!
This favourite cocktail has the unique quality that its taste is quite different from the taste of its constituent liquids which are rather bitter. The chemical structures of both ingredients are of a similar molecular shape and attract each other, shielding the bitter taste.
Gin has a long and fascinating history, dating back to the early 17th century in the Netherlands, where it was first distilled as a medicinal tonic known as genever. Dutch physician Franciscus Sylvius is often credited with its creation, using juniper berries for their supposed health benefits. The drink was soon introduced to England, where it became immensely popular, especially after William of Orange, a Dutch prince, ascended to the English throne in 1689. The "Gin Craze" of the 18th century followed, with gin becoming a cheap and widely available spirit. It was consumed by all classes, but its accessibility led to rampant overconsumption, prompting social and legislative responses such as the Gin Act of 1751, aimed at curbing public drunkenness. Over time, distillation techniques improved, and gin transformed from a rough, unrefined drink into the more sophisticated spirit enjoyed today, with varieties like London Dry gin gaining prominence. Throughout its evolution, gin has maintained its distinctive botanical flavor, making it a staple in cocktail culture.
For a list of creative gin and tonic cocktails, such as Cranberry Thyme Gin and Tonic and Strawberry Pepper Gin and Tonic, click the classic mix.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
