The story of Gin begins in Holland in the early 17th century, where it was first created as a medicinal tonic called "jenever." Distilled with juniper berries, jenever was believed to have curative properties, particularly for digestive and kidney ailments.
By the late 17th century, British soldiers fighting in the Netherlands brought Gin back to England, where it gained immense popularity. During the "Gin Craze" of the 18th century, the spirit’s accessibility led to a surge in consumption, particularly among the working class. Over time, regulations and improvements in distillation techniques elevated Gin from a crude spirit to a refined beverage enjoyed by all social classes.