Review:

Remembering both vermouth and gin are flavoured with similar botanicals, they obviously have an affinity for each other. This drink may be simple but made with a full-bodied Vermouth di Torino it's a fabulously tasty combination of botanicals, wine and spirit.

My own preference for proportions comes from Stanley M. Jones' 1977 Jones' Complete Barguide (see below).

Variant:

The proportions of gin to vermouth, and indeed whether to serve straight-up or over ice are matters of personal tastes, preferences and occasion. However, this cocktail's aromatics are perhaps better appreciated when served straight-up in a coupe.

History:

Adapted from a recipe in Stanley M. Jones' 1977 Jones' Complete Barguide.

"It" is short for Italian, a reference to the 'sweet' (rosso) vermouth, which was traditionally Italian, while French vermouth was dry.

In his 2002 Craft of the Cocktail, Dale DeGroff states that the Gin and It was originally known as a Sweet Martini and as such was a popular drink during the 1880s and 1890s at the Hoffman House and other Manhattan bars. Later it became known as 'Gin & Italian', until during Prohibition it was shortened to 'Gin & It'. The first print reference to this cocktail by the "Gin & It" name appears in Frank Meier's 1936 The Artistry of Mixing Drinks.

During American Prohibition, the Gin & It made its way to London, where due to the British love of gin, the Gin & It became a popular drink and pub staple.

The popularity of the Gin & It waned along with both that of vermouth and gin in the late 1980s but is now enjoying a renaissance with a new generation of gin and vermouth drinkers.

Gin & It
Cocktail Glass
Stir
No ice
1¾ oz Gin
¾ oz Sweet vermouth
(Optional: Coat inside of glass with vermouth)
Note: "IT" is Italian Vermouth

Stanley M. Jones, 1977

GIN & IT
Gin and Italian
In cocktail glass: half Gin, half Italian Vermouth.
Should not be iced.

Frank Meier, The Artistry of Mixing Drinks, 1936

Nutrition:

One serving of Gin & It contains 151 calories