18th century.
The Gin Craze was a period in the first half of the 18th century when the consumption of gin increased rapidly in Great Britain, especially in London.
When did gin become popular in London?
By 1720, the Gin Craze had swept England. Eighteenth century London was chaos and those who suffered turned to gin, giving it the nickname ‘Mother’s ruin’. Gin was cheap, strong, and easily available.
When did gin become popular in UK?
1700s
Once called ‘mother’s ruin’, gin was actually incredibly popular in the UK back in the 1700s – in fact, it got somewhat out of hand. There were around 7000 (legal) gin shops in London alone, plus many more distributors acting outside the law, in the 1730s.
When was gin a problem in London?
Between 1700 and 1760, London was involved in a passionate but staggeringly destructive love affair with gin, popularly known as “the mother’s ruin.” The city was positively drowning in the stuff.
When did gin become trendy?
In the early 18th Century, gin became so popular that it was estimated that nearly a quarter of all households in London were producing their own gin. Gin was a safe drink for the poor when there were many water-borne diseases around.
Did Victorian children drink gin?
Even children got a taste for gin
It was a particular favourite of women, who also used liberal quantities of the stuff to silence children. The consequences were dire. Children would congregate in a gin shop, and would drink until they could not move. Men and women died in the gutters after too much consumption.
What is the oldest London gin?
Established in 1761, Greenall’s is Britain’s first and original London Dry style gin and has been present to celebrate over 250 of Great British history. The bottle design draws inspiration from archives at G&J Distillers in Warrington, home of Greenall’s and the oldest gin distillers in England.
What is the oldest gin in the UK?
Handcrafted by England’s oldest gin distillery; Greenall’s Gin remains true to our founder’s vision to create the first quality crafted gin. Greenall’s recipe remains original and is closely guarded by just seven master distillers in our 250 year history.
When was gin banned in England?
1751
The Gin Act of 1751 prohibited gin distillers from selling to unlicensed merchants, restricted retail licenses to substantial property holders and charged high fees to those merchants eligible for retail licenses.
Is gin more popular than vodka UK?
Gin is now UK’s most popular spirit beating whisky and vodka.
Why is gin called a Mothers Ruin?
The gin obsession was blamed for misery, rising crime, madness, higher death rates and falling birth rates. Gin joints allowed women to drink alongside men for the first time and it is thought this led many women neglecting their children and turning to prostitution, hence gin becoming known as ‘Mother’s Ruin’.
What ended the Gin Craze?
The Gin Craze had mostly ended by 1757. The government tried to ensure this by temporarily banning the manufacture of spirits from domestic grain.
Which country drinks the most gin?
Per capita, people in the Philippines drink more gin than any other country in the world.
When did the Gin Craze end?
The End of London’s Gin Craze: The Death of Madam Geneva
London’s Gin Craze finally came to an end in 1751, when Parliament passed the Sales of Spirit Act of 1751. By this stage, the government had realized what a truly terrible toll London’s obsession with cheap spirits was having on society.
Why do British people love gin?
Brits have had a long love affair with gin, which we believe could be due to the versatility of the liquid as well as its increasingly accessible flavour profiles. Gin currently has the highest penetration in the spirits category[1] and is the second largest category in the on-trade[2].
When was gin most popular?
In the latter half of the 17th Century and in the early years of the 18th Century, gin rapidly gained popularity in England, cementing the association it still enjoys with that nation.
Is gin more of a depressant than vodka?
Gincredibly, I found that there absolutely no basis for the myth that gin is any more a depressant than any other spirit.
What alcohol did poor Victorians drink?
Beer and gin were cheap, costing about 1d. Drink was also easier to get hold of than clean drinking water. This meant that many people drank alcohol instead and drunkeness was a problem in some areas. Illness and death were common, especially in children.
Is gin meant to be drank straight?
The answer is yes – gin is a great sipping spirit! But you’ll need to choose the right gin to avoid that abrasive ‘mouth full of pine’ feeling that poor quality bottles can leave.
What is the best gin in London?
12 award-winning London Dry gins from the IWSC 2022
- 1Brighton Spirits, Seaside Strength Gin.
- 2North Point Distillery, Crosskirk Bay Gin.
- 3Quintessential Brands, Opihr Aromatic Bitters Gin.
- 4Nordic Gin House, København Navy Strength Gin.
- 5The Handmade Gin Company, Everton Gin.
- 6Bond Street Distillery, Signature London Dry Gin.
What is the most popular gin in England?
London dry gin is the most widely available style of gin on the UK market, and is known for its strict production regulations and dominant juniper flavour. It doesn’t have to be made in London, however it must be re-distilled from a neutral base spirit and all flavours must be added during distillation.