Just the Tonic – A natural history of tonic water

Hooray, another reason to crack open the cocktails!

Kew botanists and authors of Just the tonic: A natural history of tonic water (Kew Publishing, 2019; Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Award 2020) explore the history of the popular effervescent mixer. They believe that tonic water has been the unjustly overshadowed partner in the famous gin and tonic. The cocktail is thought of as a quintessentially English drink, yet its origins lie in the cinchona trees of eastern slopes of the Andes and the malarial landscapes of Asia. In this richly illustrated talk, Kim and Mark cut through centuries of legends to reveal a history of botany, medicine, empire and drinking to discover how the tree came together with alcohol and soda to create the perfect gin and tonic.

Mark Nesbitt, curator of the Economic Botany Collection, RBG Kew.

Kim Walker, herbalist, author The Handmade Apothecary and The Herbal Remedy Handbook

Tickets: donation please.

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