Definition of pink gin

The term "pink gin" originated in the British Navy during the 19th century. At the time, naval physicians prescribed quinine, a bitter, anti-malarial drug, to prevent or alleviate the symptoms of malaria among sailors. The drug was often administered in large doses, causing unpleasant side effects like nausea, headaches, and bitter aftertaste. To make it more palatable, the quinine was added to gin, a popular spirit aboard the ships, and served in small, rationed amounts. As gin’s predominant color is clear, the addition of quinine turned it a distinctive pink color, leading to the term "pink gin." The Pink Gin cocktail gained popularity amongst the sailors and became a staple aboard Navy ships, serving as an effective curative against fever and as a preventative to malaria. Beyond its medicinal properties, it also became a refreshing and popular cocktail in the UK and Europe during the early 1900s. Its simple recipe of gin and Angostura bitters with a dash of water and garnish of lemon peel remains popular to this day.