Pirate's Cove

Just to ruin the start of the week for all you gin and tonic lovers…or, heck, anyone who drinks gin (which tastes like paint thinner to me)

How climate change could alter the flavour of your gin and tonic forever

The flavour of gin and tonic may never be the same again due to climate change, a new study has suggested.

Scientists have found that volatile weather conditions, could change the taste of juniper berries – the botanical that gives the spirit its distinctive taste.

It could make the drink less floral, sweet, citrus, woody, earthy or musty than its current flavour, according to scientists from Heriot-Watt University’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD).

The same species of berry grown in different parts of the world contain different flavour compounds, just like wine. This is dependent on rainfall and sunshine, according to the study, published in the Journal of the Institute of Brewing.

Researchers put this to the test by distilling berries from different regions across Europe. This included Albania, Bosnia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo and Italy all from varying harvest years.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. They grew grapes and made good wines in the U.K. during the last Holocene warm period, the Medieval Warm Period. The climate is always fluctuating. Growing cycles change, growing areas shift. Such is life on Earth.

The spirits were analysed by separating the compounds of the gin using gas chromatography to measure the levels of key flavour compounds.

It confirmed that each region had its own distinct chemical profile, which impacts the overall flavour of the gin.

Do they actually think juniper berries for gin are currently grown in once place? Well, yeah, because they are cultists.

That’s where they are growing. Heck, I could go the State Farmer’s Market and buy some. And make gin. I wouldn’t, again, nasty.