The Spirit That Shaped Southside Shake: A History of Gin

Gin has travelled a long road to arrive in your glass at Southside Shake. What began as a medicinal tonic in 17th-century Europe transformed into the base spirit for some of the world's most respected cocktails. Understanding that history helps explain why we built Fredericton's first gin bar around this particular spirit and why gin defines everything we do.

The story begins in the Netherlands during the 1600s, where a physician named Franciscus Sylvius created a juniper-based spirit intended to treat kidney ailments and digestive problems. Dutch physicians distributed this botanical infusion, known as genever, to patients seeking relief from various conditions. Juniper berries gave the liquid its distinctive pine-like flavour and were believed to carry medicinal properties.

When English soldiers encountered genever during military campaigns in the Low Countries, they brought the spirit back to England. The term "Dutch courage" originated from this period, referring to the confidence soldiers gained from drinking genever before battle. What started as medicine quickly evolved into something the English public consumed for pleasure rather than health.

The Gin Craze Changed London Forever

By the early 18th century, gin production in England had exploded. The government removed restrictions on distilling, allowing anyone to produce gin without a license. Quality control did not exist, and production methods varied wildly. London's poorest neighbourhoods became saturated with gin shops, and consumption rates reached levels that shocked social reformers and government officials alike.

This period, known as the Gin Craze, lasted from roughly 1720 to 1751. Gin was cheap, potent, and widely available. The social problems that followed prompted the government to pass a series of Gin Acts designed to regulate production and sales. These laws gradually brought structure to the industry and improved the quality of gin being produced. The spirit began its transformation from a social crisis into a refined beverage worthy of proper appreciation.

Gin and Tonic: A Colonial Legacy

The gin and tonic combination has colonial roots that connect directly to the British Empire's presence in tropical regions. British officers and colonists in India faced constant risk of malaria, a disease spread by mosquitoes. Quinine, a compound found in the bark of the cinchona tree, proved effective at preventing and treating malaria. However, quinine tasted intensely bitter on its own.

The solution was to mix quinine powder with carbonated water, creating tonic water. British officers added gin and lime to make the bitter medicine more palatable. This practical remedy evolved into one of the most enduring cocktail combinations in history. The gin and tonic remains a classic serve, though modern tonic water contains far less quinine than its medicinal predecessor.

How Gin Became a Craft Spirit

The 20th century brought further refinement to gin production. Distillers developed new techniques and experimented with different botanical blends beyond the traditional juniper base. The spirit gained respectability and became associated with classic cocktails like the Martini, the Negroni, and the Aviation. Gin moved from working-class taverns to upscale bars and elegant hotel lounges.

The craft gin movement of the past two decades has accelerated this transformation. Small-batch distilleries now produce gins with unique botanical profiles, regional ingredients, and distinctive character. Some gins emphasize citrus notes, others highlight floral elements, and still others take bold approaches with unusual botanicals like cardamom, rose, or even seaweed. This diversity allows bartenders to craft cocktails with precision and complexity that would have been impossible with earlier gin formulations.

Why We Built a Gin Bar in Fredericton

When we opened Southside Shake in 2018, we knew we wanted to create something distinct for downtown Fredericton. The city needed a cocktail bar that prioritized craft, knowledge, and a curated experience. Gin offered the perfect foundation for that vision. The spirit's complex botanical profile allows for creativity in cocktail construction, and its history connects drinkers to centuries of refinement and evolution.

We named ourselves after the Southside cocktail, one of gin's original serves that combines gin, lime, mint, and sugar. The name also references our approach to mixology, where shaking technique and presentation matter as much as ingredient quality. Our bar now features the largest gin selection in New Brunswick, with over 60 varieties ranging from classic London Dry styles to contemporary small-batch expressions.

Gin in Every Glass

When you visit us, you enter a space designed around gin appreciation, where knowledge and craft combine to deliver drinks prepared with precision. Our commitment to maintaining New Brunswick's largest gin selection means you will always find something new to discover, whether you visit weekly or monthly.

Curious to explore what 60+ gins can do? Check out our menu to see how we transform gin into balanced, refined serves. Ready to visit? Book your table and experience Fredericton's first gin bar.