At The Gin Men, we love gin and cocktails. They carry history, rich and deep, and knowing that
history makes tasting them a journey. The word “cocktail” first appeared in a London paper on
March 20, 1798. Yet the mixing of spirits goes back much further, tangled with influences from
distant lands.
In the 17th century, people drank punch. It was a strong mixture of spirits, sugar, water, fruit, and
spices. These drinks reflected the adventurous tastes of the time, shaped by Englishmen who
first savored Indian flavors in the early 1600s.
In 1731, James Ashley became England’s first celebrity bartender. He opened the Sign of the
Two Punch Bowls in London. There, he made a variety of punches, highlighting seasonal fruits
and spices, with gin as the main spirit. It was a time when gin had captured hearts and minds.
No specific recipes from Ashley have survived, but we can imagine the punches he crafted from
the fruits and spices of his day.
Here is a recipe that might resemble what James Ashley would have served, but with a touch of
our own style.
Fun Fact
The word “punch” comes from the Hindi word “panch,” meaning five, referring to its five
traditional ingredients.