Let’s cut to the chase and admit it: everyone loves a refreshing Gin & Tonic, which is why Sicacca thought it was high time to pay tribute to this unsung alcoholic beverage. But before we dive into the gloriously unexpected benefits of everyone’s favourite juniper juice, we would like to give you a little disclaimer: gin will always be alcohol, and too much alcohol will, of course, always come with its repercussions. Therefore, drinking responsibly is always advisable.
But on the plus side, drinking gin in moderation stumbles (pun intended!) on the healthier side of drinking – well, comparatively speaking, at least! Made from natural ingredients which include: juniper berries, nutmeg and rosemary; a glass of gin comes packed with fruity antioxidants and herbal benefits that could power each glass with that feel-good factor. If you thought you loved gin before, then prepare to renew your vows and enjoy rekindling your love for this refreshingly tasty drink.
1. Flush toxins out of your system
Juniper, which is one of the main ingredients of gin, is a diuretic. This means it increases urine output and therefore stops water retention and bloating. Thus, this function of the juniper berry often helps flush out toxins and bacteria associated with infection. It’s also thought to help kidney function.
2. It could help keep your skin healthy
Keep your skin young and healthy. Though alcohol is frequently blamed for dehydrating the skin, the vitamins, flavonoids and antioxidants found in juniper berries could help to alleviate those drying effects for a healthy skin boost. So enjoy keeping your skin fresh, hydrated, and youthful. Having a glass of gin, means you could very well be aiding in encouraging cellular restoration and overall skin restoration.
3. It might help sluggish digestion
While many people avoid gin due to its slightly bitter taste, that lip-puckering flavour is an aid to the digestive system. The bitter herbs crammed in every bottle used to create gin, help increase stomach acid secretions (also known as digestive enzymes), assisting the stomach in breakdown of food more rapidly. What’s more, these very herbs can even help ease heartburn.
4. It’s the best drink for cocktails
Due to the many different herbs that are found in gin, it pretty much goes with anything, resulting in an assortment of over 700 gin-based cocktails. Talk about versatility! Some of the best gin-based cocktails are the Bees’s Knees, The Gimlet and the customary Gin Martini.
5. It won’t make you gain weight
Having the least amount of calories of all the spirits out there – especially since the main mixer is a measly amount of tonic water and an ice cube or three, this makes for great news for those who are watching their waistline. Thus, managing your weight lets you ward off obesity and weight gain. A shot of gin is a measly 97kcals! … And you know we’ll drink be drinking to that!
6. The magic powers of juniper
As the primary part of the alcohol in question we have all grown to love, juniper provides far more than just a flavoursome part to the beverage. Proven to fight lung congestion and heavy coughs, juniper can also be taken as a daily supplement. Juniper, that is, not a Gin and Tonic!
7. Increase your herbal intake
We all know how herbal remedies and teas can work wonders, and the composition of gin makes it an excellent choice for those who seek a more “natural” alcohol. Apart from the already mentioned juniper berries, gin also contains coriander, cassia, sage and angelica root (among others) – evidently, it’s a smorgasbord of natural and nutritious herbs. In a nutshell, gin is probably the healthiest spirit on the market today.
While before, the hullabaloo was all about vodka, in recent years, it’s gin that has stolen the spotlight and become the go-to drink. Nowadays there’s a high demand for good quality gin, and here at Sciacca we know this because our clientele appreciates a great glass of gin.
With our bars being stocked up with nothing but top quality gins, we surely take this drink seriously: Hendrick’s and Jinzu gins which originate from Scotland, are two of our very popular kinds. We also have Bombay Sapphire, which is a London Dry Gin, French brand Citadelle gin and of course the noteworthy Dutch Nolet’s Silver gin.
Needless to say, a good quality gin deserves an equally top-notch tonic, which we also ensure to provide. With the gorgeous spring weather preparing for an even warmer summer, we think you’ll agree that there’s no better way to cool down, relax and unwind than with a delicious Gin Tonic complemented with a slice or two of cucumber, ginger or your favourite fruit.
But don’t take our word for it. Book your next table at Sciacca, so we can whip up a great cocktail with one of our premium quality gins. And if you don’t have an occasion to celebrate, drinking to good health is always a good enough reason in our books!