The ‘Pink Gin’ has long been associated with the sailing fraternity, notably it has to be said, with an elderly vintage of sailor! There were those halcyon days when revered - or maybe not so revered, but certainly talked about – senior members of yacht clubs sat at the bar with their coloured lubrication while they talked sailing, or other topics.
So where did the ‘Pink Gin’ come from?
This edition of THIS ISLAND NATION radio tracks the story of the maritime lubricative which, though it involved a bitter ‘pill’ became a sweetener which could also be used as a treatment for sea sickness.
Hear all about it and also a first-hand account of what it is like to battle hundreds of jellyfish in an attempt to swim the English Channel.
• Listen to the programme below

Pink Gin Recipe

The Ingredients 

1. Large Measure of Gin 
2. Large Dash of Angostura Bitters 
3. Lemon Twist

How To Mix

1. Add Angostura Bitters to a mixing glass
2. Fill mixing glass with ice
3. Stir for 10 to 15 seconds
4. Roll the combination of bitters and water (melted from the ice) around the glass
5. Strain off water and bitters and discard to leave a light wash of bitters 
6. Add Plymouth Navy Strength Gin to the mixing glass over the ice
7. Add more ice if there is space then stir well to chill and dilute
8. (Taste before serving to ensure enough dilution, the alcohol should feel pleasant not aggressive)
9. Strain into a Cocktail glass
10. Add lemon twist, ensuring that the lemon oils are expelled across the surface of the drink