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Calling All Gin Lovers In Malta: Franks Is The Answer To All Your Prayers

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For most of our lives, gin has been synonymous with an aunt drinking Gordon’s at those awkward family meals where she got a bit too friendly with someone’s boyfriend, perhaps even reminiscing of her naughtier days. 

As of the past three years, however, there has been a true renaissance in the industry, with boutique gin distilleries and bars opening up all over the world. If you want to make the most of this resurgence, whether you fancy yourself a cheeky G&T every now and then or are a lover of everything gin, The Wine Boutique Franks should definitely be on your radar. 

Boasting one of largest collections of gin in Malta, The Wine Boutique Franks has more than 50 gins at any time of the year. Yes, we said 50. The boutique, situated at The Plaza in Sliema, also offers a free tasting service, just in case you’re not sure which of those 50 gins is going to be your new favourite. And if you have one of their loyalty cards, every €400 you spend on whisky or gin will get you a free bottle!

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Gin has come a long way from being used in herbal medicine in the Middle Ages to being one of the most popular alcohol drinks in the world. The word ‘gin’ itself is derived from the word ‘genever’, which is said to have been invented in Holland during the 17th century as a medicinal product. During the Thirty Years’ War, however, Dutch soldiers soon discovered its intoxicating effects and started drinking it before they went to battle (hence the phrase ‘Dutch Courage’). The UK had sent its soldiers to help the Dutch, and ended up bringing back the knowledge of gin with them. 400 years later, the spirit is so popular in Britain, it’s now used to calculate inflation (or is it ginflation?). 

The spirit takes most of its flavour from juniper berries, with crude 17th century mixes gradually evolving into one of the world’s broadest categories of spirits. Although today we have hundreds of gins with a variety of thousands of different botanicals used, it is the taste of the juniper that links them to the gin family. 

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Companies like The Wine Boutique Franks are making sure that Malta solidly remains on the global gin map. 

In 2015, they created their own boutique gin and vodka. Supporting the LGBTIQ community, they developed Queen George Gin and King Sophia Vodka. Only available in extremely limited batches of 100 bottles, half the entire profits from these spirits were pledged to an NGO responsible for safeguarding and raising awareness on LGBTIQ rights. 

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Of course, no gin and tonic can ever be perfect if the focus is only on the gin. The Wine Boutique Franks also have some artisanal tonics in stock, including the popular Fever Tree and Thomas Henry.

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If you’re (somehow) still not sold on making gin your go-to drink yet, here are 5 reasons why gin is actually good for you.

1. It can help you manage your weight

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If you’re minding your weight but would love to keep that cheeky shot of alcohol here and there, gin is probably the best way to go. It’s relatively low-calorie as far as alcohol drinks go, with a shot of gin weighing in at 97 calories. For some context, a wine of glass is around 125 calories and a can of beer more than 150, so every drop definitely counts.

2. It actually flushes out your system

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Gin may be able to help if you’re having issues with bloating. Since juniper is a diuretic, it increases urine output and therefore stops water retention. And that’s one thing you don’t want happening to you.

3. It keeps malaria at bay

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If you find yourself in a country where malaria occurs, you may want to order a gin and tonic when you get there. Gin and tonic was developed in the 1800s to make quinine (an essential medicine that worked to both cure and prevent malaria) more palatable. 

Of course antimalarial drugs should always be a priority in these cases, but at least you now have a way to make those quinine tonics more tasty… and more fun.

4. It improves your digestion

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The herbs used to create gin can increase both stomach acid secretions and digestive enzymes, which allows for better digestion. So the next time you taste gin and think it’s a tad too bitter, push through it and remember how much good it’s doing to your digestive system.

5. It helps with joint pain

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Whether your joints are aching or you suffer from arthritis, you should try a bit of gin every now and then. Some arthritis sufferers actually use gin-soaked raisins to reduce joint inflammation, and the drink’s makeup helps to relieve the pain cause by achy joints, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Tag a friend who’s obsessed with Gin and Tonic

READ NEXT: 7 Awesome Places For Cocktails In Malta

Lovin Malta's Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).
Sponsored By
The Wine Boutique FRANKS
The Wine Boutique Franks is an extension of the Franks concept of “The Art of living Beautiful”. In our boutique you will find a variety of the world’s finest wines, whiskies and gins, along with a selection of fine gentleman’s gifts and leather goods. 
Visit The Wine Boutique FRANKS

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