Relive The Taste Of History With Bathtub Gin.

Summary: Though the history of alcohol is a rich and interesting one, the history of gin is no exception. Of all fascinating milestones in the history of the drink is undoubtedly bathtub gin produced during prohibition. An alcoholic beverage was illegal during this restrictive period of American history in the country. Alcohol was sold on the black market and it was produced in homes across the country. Bathtub gin was actually produced in homes. All those who were making the bootl...

Though the history of alcohol is a rich and interesting one, the history of gin is no exception. Of all fascinating milestones in the history of the drink is undoubtedly bathtub gin produced during prohibition. An alcoholic beverage was illegal during this restrictive period of American history in the country. Alcohol was sold on the black market and it was produced in homes across the country. Bathtub gin was actually produced in homes. All those who were making the bootleg gin used denatured alcohol in the process. The poisons are taken out from the liquid to recover ethyl alcohol that was flavored with juniper flavoring. The bathtub gin was then diluted and put into bottles. Although for some this may have not been the best tasting drink on the planet, but for all those who wanted a cocktail during the prohibition era had little choice. In all, there were seventy-five unique formulas for making bathtub gin. The alcohol needed to be denatured in order to be safely ingested by people. If the alcohol was not purified properly, devastating results took place. At times there were fatalities that were linked to impure bathtub gin. Hence the concoction often proved to be risky and even deadly. In spite of all the risks involved people continued to take risks with the home made concoction. The expression "to die for" is presently used in the figurative sense. Though, when the phrase first appeared in common speech, it was meant quite literally. Bathtub gin was a risky venture that cost some party-goers their lives. This is the highest price one would pay for a good time. On the other hand, people take the same chances today when they use illegal substances like heroine and cocaine. Likewise bathtub gin is in fact no different. Despite the significant risks involved, a majority of party-goers don't take the risks into account. Fatalities happen to other people. The risk is generally ignored. Ironically, gin was at first introduced to civilization because it had medicinal purposes. Gin and tonic together was produced as a medicine to fight malaria. The key ingredient, quinine that was found in the tonic water actually helped to get rid of malaria. Eventually the gin and tonic recipe became a favorite drink among social crowds. The period of prohibition was a dangerous time for many who wanted to continue drinking alcohol. It was this drive to drink that powered the production of concoctions like bathtub gin. The drinks were in fact to die for in some cases. Though some people still make moonshine today, the process is not nearly as dangerous. At any case, it is best to set aside the bathtub for bathing.