Canadian gin consumption has gone up 80 per cent in the past decade. Yes, we are drinking 80 per cent more gin than we were 10 years ago.
We’re still not in the top 5 countries in the world as far as gin drinkers go. According to Statista, the United Kingdom leads the way, followed, in order, by the United States, India, Germany and Spain.
Gin is a $2.1 billion revenue industry in the UK, according to Statista, whereas here, in Canada, we’re looking at roughly $315 million in revenue.
Now that you have your trivia for the week, it’s time to make a cocktail.
This week’s drink comes from Bombay Sapphire, a London Dry Gin made from a British recipe that dates back to 1771. Bombay Sapphire itself, however, started in 1957, when an American lawyer decided he wanted to create a gin brand that recreated the glamour of the 1920s and the height of the British empire. Working with Greenall’s, a distillery in England that owned the ancient recipe, he launched the gin in 1960 and by 1970, was selling 100,000 cases a year.
Bombay Sapphire Sparkling Lemon
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Bombay Sapphire
- ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ oz sugar syrup
- 2 oz Soda Water
Combine all ingredients (except club soda) in a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a glass with fresh ice and top with club soda. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a blackberry. Serves one.
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