A wonder for some and an upturned nose for others. Bathtub Gin appears to be a mythological legend but the idea of gin made in a bathtub doesn’t seem too far fetched for the swinging times during prohibition. There are definitely disgusting things that can be done in your bathtub but making gin is not one of them.
People believe that the legend started because of the viability of being able to ferment a very large mash in a bathtub, usually around 100 gallons! In actuality a bathtub would be a pretty good fermentor and since gin is basically a neutral spirit that is flavored with herbs and botanicals its one of the more easy spirits to make. All these signs point to a very plausible bootleg spirit but to make gin it has to be distilled with still. So while someone could maybe make a mash for gin in the bathtub it still needs to be distilled with a still. The bad reputation of bathtub gin wasn’t really spread by the idea of a bathtub but the idea of ridiculous shortcuts bootleggers would take.
(Fun Fact: bootleggers are called that because women used to smuggle illegal booze during prohibition in flasks that fit snugly into their knee high boots!)
But why not a bathtub gin recipe!
Tub Thumper Bathtub Gin
-1 Pint Everclear
-1 Pint Purified Water
-10 Crushed Juniper Berries
-1 Tbsp Coriander
-1 Tbsp Lemon Peel
Simmer Juniper Berries, Coriander and Lemon Peel for 15 minutes to extract the flavor. Strain your extract and mix with alcohol and water. Then grab your Tommy Gun and take it to your local speakeasy for a quick buck.
