Gin
 | |
| Type | Distilled alcoholic drink |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 13th century |
| Alcohol by volume | 35–60% |
| Proof (US) | 70–140° |
| Colour | Clear |
| Ingredients | Barley or other grain, juniper berries |
| Related products | Jenever |
Gin (/dʒɪn/) is a distilled alcoholic drink flavored with juniper berries and other botanical ingredients. Gin originated as a medicinal liquor made by monks and alchemists across Levantia. The modern gin was modified independently in both northern Burgundie and Kiravia to provide aqua vita from distillates of grapes and grains, becoming an object of commerce in the spirits industry. Gin became popular across the Burgoignesc colonial empire after the introduction of jenever, a Marialanii liquor. Although this development had been taking place since the early 17th century, gin became widespread during the Age of Sail. It fell out of prominence in the 19th and 20th century, beyond traditional military uses, but has enjoyed a popular return in the 21st century with the rise in cocktail and mixology culture. Gin is produced from a wide range of herbal ingredients in a number of distinct styles and brands. After juniper, gin tends to be flavored with herbs, spices, floral or fruit flavors, or often a combination. It is commonly mixed with tonic water in a gin and tonic. Gin is also used as a base spirit to produce flavored, gin-based liqueurs, for example, Yonderian sloe gin, traditionally produced by the addition of fruit, flavorings, and sugar.
History
The origin of gin is in the indigenous utilization of the Derian cedar. It was revered by Istroyans and Medieval Maritime Dericanians for its medicinal properties and aromatic qualities. It is endemic to the modern Burgoignesc provinces of Marves, Marialianus, Estia, Pumbria, and Ile Burgundie. It was employed in a variety of traditional practices, like treating ailments to purifying ceremonial spaces. The Duchy of Marialianus is noted as the first place in mainland Levantia to have distilled the juniper into alcohol, first cedar liquor in the 12th century, than in the 13th and 14th century something akin to the modern gin. This gin was used almost exclusively medicinally and is recorded to have been taken with the knights of Marialianus on the Crusades. From there its reputation spread and the Ile of Burgundie and by the time of the Great Confessional War, it was produced and used by the armies of both the Protestant Vilauristre Conference, Burgondia, Estia, and the Catholic Marialanus. After the Expulsion of the Protestants and the subsequent Burgoignesc colonial empire, the discovery of quinine within the Burgoignesc colonies pf St. Nicholas Colony and New Burgundie Colony, with its potent anti-malarial compound derived from the bark of the Cinchona tree (Burg: arbre de la fevre, lit. fever tree), provided the missing ingredient that would elevate Derian cedar gin to a position of global prominence, as the tonic made it more palatable, but also made the drink incredibly valuable as preventative medicine, perhaps the first aspect of Burgoignesc public health. The Duchy of Bourgondi quickly seized the opportunity, establishing a dominant position in the quinine trade. Gin and tonic became more than just a beverage; it evolved into a symbol of national identity, ingenuity, and the island's ability to transform local resources into a globally recognized commodity.
The perceived health benefits of gin and tonic, particularly its efficacy in combating malaria, proved instrumental in Maritime Dericania's colonial ambitions. By providing its sailors, soldiers, and settlers with a readily available and palatable prophylactic, the Maritime Dericanians gained a distinct advantage in the race for territorial control within malaria-prone regions. While other maritime powers like Kiravia struggled with the debilitating effects of malaria on their personnel, Maritime Dericania's forces remained relatively healthy and vigorous, capable of enduring the rigors of exploration, settlement, and military campaigns. This biological advantage extended beyond the military realm, as a healthy population translated to a more productive workforce, capable of establishing thriving settlements and efficiently exploiting the resources of newly acquired territories. Gin and tonic played a crucial role in facilitating the rapid expansion of the Burgoignesc colonial empire, contributing to its economic prosperity and geopolitical influence.
The Duchy of Bourgondi's dominance of the quinine trade and the growing popularity of gin and tonic significantly impacted its international relations. Control over this valuable commodity provided leverage in diplomatic negotiations and trade agreements. The act of sharing gin and tonic became a cultural ritual of hospitality. Foreign dignitaries and emissaries visiting Maritime Dericania were thenceforth treated to this signature beverage, a gesture that conveyed respect and a desire for amicable relations. This gin diplomacy extended beyond the confines of Maritime Dericania, with Levantine merchants and diplomats carrying gin and tonic as gifts to foreign leaders, opening doors to negotiations and facilitating the establishment of mutually beneficial relationships. The widespread consumption of gin and tonic fostered a culture of health within Maritime Dericanian society. This emphasis on individual well-being, gin, and tonic, and fresh tropical and citrus fruits as its cornerstone permeated all levels of society, influencing public health policies and contributing to a collective sense of resilience and adaptability, often attributed to the first public health movement. This healthier population became a driving force behind Maritime Dericania's successful colonial expansion. The health benefits of gin and tonic extended to Maritime Dericania's and later the Burgoignesc naval forces, providing them with a crucial advantage in long sea voyages. While other navies were ravaged by scurvy and other diseases, the "Gin and Tonic Fleets" of Maritime Dericania remained relatively healthy and combat-ready, capable of projecting power across the world. This naval dominance played a crucial role in securing trade routes, protecting colonial possessions, and establishing Maritime Dericania as a major maritime power. This is particularly well studied in modern times as the impact of a healthy and long-lived non-commissioned officer and petty officer cadre in the 17th-19th century made the smaller, less centralized navies of Maritime Dericania capable of going toe to toe with much large navies like those of Kiravia, Caphiria, and Varshan.