The Whole of working class Nineteenth Century London

One of the names commonly used for gin was “blue ruin.” Back in the 19th century gin was cheap and freely available in public houses that came to be known as gin palaces. Cheaper than brandy, stronger than wine, and more effective than beer gin became the tipple of the industrial working classes who had little to look forward to other than a premature death and an unmarked grave. Gin’s dubious image has continued to this day yet it can be argued that there are very few things more refreshing than a gin and tonic topped with a splash of fresh lime juice.