At first the British were little interested in India, but much like the Portuguese and Dutch before them, were all interested in spices of Spice Islands (Maluku Islands). Unable to dislodge the Dutch from Spice Islands in 1610, the British chased away a Portuguese naval squadron, and the East India Company created its own outpost at Surat (now in the state of Gujarat), and this became the company’s first headquarters town. This small outpost marked the beginning of a remarkable presence that would last over 300 years and eventually dominate the entire subcontinent.
Originally chartered as the “Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies”, the company rose to account for half of the world’s trade, particularly in basic commodities including cotton, silk, indigo dye, salt, saltpetre, tea and opium. The company also ruled the beginnings of the British Empire in India
The Recipe
2.00oz Okanagan Spirits Family Reserve Gin 0.50oz Lemon juice 0.50oz Apple juice 0.50oz Chai syrup 2 dashes Bittered Sling Kensington bitters
Serve in a chilled coupe glass with Absinthe rinse | Garnish with fresh grated nutmeg and apple fan.
