Here's something else you didn't know....
Quinine comes from the bark of a class of tree called Cinchona, which has been historically sought after for its medicinal value, as the bark of several species yields quinine and other alkaloids that were the only effective treatments against malaria during the height of European colonialism, which made them of great economic and political importance.
In the 1700s a Scottish doctor, George Cleghorn, discovered that quinine could be used to treat malaria. This quickly led to tonic water being drunk by British soldiers stationed in India to fight malaria. But as you may know, tonic water is quite bitter. So, in the 1800s, soldiers took to adding first gin, and eventually lemon and lime to their tonic water, to hide the bitter flavor, thus inventing the classic cocktail.
Here's something else you didn't know.... Quinine comes from the bark of a class of tree called Cinchona, which has been historically sought after for its medicinal value, as the bark of several species yields quinine and other alkaloids that were the only effective treatments against malaria during the height of European colonialism, which made them of great economic and political importance.
In the 1700s a Scottish doctor, George Cleghorn, discovered that quinine could be used to treat malaria. This quickly led to tonic water being drunk by British soldiers stationed in India to fight malaria. But as you may know, tonic water is quite bitter. So, in the 1800s, soldiers took to adding first gin, and eventually lemon and lime to their tonic water, to hide the bitter flavor, thus inventing the classic cocktail.
So take your medicine, cheers!