How much do you know about gin? Take this quiz and find out!

1) Do you know your gin history?

A. In the 1600s an admiral made the world’s largest cocktail – it was so big, bartenders used a small wooden canoe to get around it.

B. The Aviation was invented by Amelia Earhart after she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic – she described the gin cocktail as her greatest achievement.

C. The cocktail the Tom Collins was named after a popular prank where a gullible person was taken on a wild goose chase in search of a fictional person called Tom Collins.

2) The well-travelled gin lovers will have an advantage here!

A. A tortoise has lived behind the bar of a New Orleans speakeasy for over 100 years.

B. There is a bar in Canada where you can drink a cocktail containing a real human toe.

C. In South Africa there is a bar inside of a 6,000-year-old Baobab tree.

3) Even the most creative and experimental distillers may be shocked by this one!

A. There is a gin made from elephant dung.

B. There is a gin made from thousand-year-old eggs.

C. There is a gin made from ants.

4) How much do you know about gin in America?

A. The cartoon Tom and Jerry was named after a Christmas cocktail.

B. Before becoming president Abraham Lincoln was a licensed bartender.

C. In 1700s America it was tradition to do a shot of gin before a duel.

5) Do you know anything about juniper, the key ingredient in gin?

A. In Macedonia juniper can only be legally harvested under a full moon.

B. The Juniper Tree is the name of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale.

C. In Medieval times doctors believed juniper could protect them from the Black Death.

6) What is in a name?

A. London Dry is the name given to any gin made in London.

B. Navy Strength refers to a gin that has an ABV of 57% or above.

C. The name Old Tom has a number of different origin stories, including ones that involve cats.

7) Marvellous mixers!

A. Gin was mixed with citrus fruit juice on Naval ships as a way to combat scurvy.

B. Tonic water was originally made with the bark of the cinchona tree, which was used to fight malaria.

C. Soda water and tonic water are two different names for the same product.

8) Do you know your glassware?

A. A Gimlet is a cocktail that is usually served in a coupe glass.

B. You would usually find a French 75 in a highball glass.

C. Negronis are traditionally served in a tumbler or rocks glass.

9) You’ll need to access your inner mixologist for this one!

A. The classic Negroni recipe uses only three ingredients.

B. Tom Collins is a type of punch cocktail.

C. A Red Snapper is a gin-based version of a Bloody Mary, which is traditionally made with vodka.

10) Get to know your bar kit!

A. A “jigger” is a type of shaker.

B. A bar blade is a type of bottle opener.

C. “Cobbler” is a type of shaker with an opening at the top through which your cocktail can be poured out.

Could you spot the lie in each round? Discover the truth below!

1) The lie was: B!

While she was certainly an incredible woman, Amelia Earhart did not invent the Aviation cocktail. It is thought that Aviation was actually created in the early 20th century by Hugo Ensslin, who was the head bartender at New York’s Hotel Wallick.

You can find our fabulous Aviation recipe at this link!

2) The lie was: B!

Well, there may actually be a tortoise in a bar in New Orleans that has lived there for over 100 years, we just haven’t found it yet.

3) The lie was: B!

We know of no gin that is made from thousand-year-old eggs, although there are certainly some weird and wonderful gins out there.

4) The lie was: C!

Although, a shot of Dutch courage before a duel may well have helped.

5) The lie was: A!

You can harvest juniper whenever it is ready, usually when the berries are blue in colour between September and January, in Macedonia.

6) The lie was: A!

Gins that are described as London Dry do not have to come from London. The name London Dry is given to gins that are made in a very specific way that can be done anywhere in the world. Find out more at this link!

7) The lie was: C!

Soda water and tonic water are two very different mixers. Tonic water is made with quinine, which gives it that iconic and delicious bitterness. Soda water is carbonated water, its carbonation gives the water its fizz but also a subtle sour taste.

8) The lie was: B!

A French 75 is traditionally served in a Champaign flute. You can find our French 75 recipe right here.

9) The lie was: B!

Tom Collins is not a punch cocktail, it’s a tall, Highball cocktail that’s a beautiful mix of gin, lemon juice and soda water. Click on this link to discover a stunning Tom Collins recipe!

10) The lie was: A!

A jigger is not a type of shaker, it is a measuring device. Here are some of our favourite jiggers!