Gin Lane: Talk and Tasting

A special, tutored gin tasting event with drinks expert and author, Jane Peyton – and a Valentine's Day twist.

How did gin go from the devilish drink of the 18th century when gin addiction caused devastating social problems, especially in London, to being the undisputed queen of the drink’s cabinet?

Join Jane Peyton, drinks educator and historian, in a tutored tasting of three different types of gin and the cocktails they inspired. Discover how gin helped Britain to become the world's dominant naval power and establish a vast empire.

Captain Thomas Coram, who established the Foundling Hospital in 1739, would have known naval captains who carried gin aboard their ships as a painkiller, sterilant, and for the daily tot dispensed to well-behaved sailors. Ironically, gin was also a reason why so many babies were abandoned or orphaned and given a home at the Hospital.

What you can expect

Arrive at 6.30pm and be given a welcome drink, before heading on a tour of the Museum and artworks inspired by William Hogarth's famous Gin Lane. Then, dive in to the facts and flavours of gin in a tasting tutorial.

Jane Peyton is an alcoholic drinks expert, writer, broadcaster, and public speaker. She is the founder of the School of Booze consultancy. Jane was Britain's first Beer Sommelier of the Year, the UK’s first accredited cider sommelier, and is a former Drinks Educator of the Year. She is the author of several non-fiction books including The Philosophy of Beer, The Philosophy of Gin, The Philosophy of Cocktails, and The Philosophy of Cider.