If there’s one sauce capable of beating ketchup as the world’s most popular, it must be mayo. It’s found in virtually any country on earth, served in both fast food eateries and white-tablecloth restaurants. Mayonnaise is often believed to have originated in France, but it’s in fact more likely to have originated in the port town of Mahon, capital of Menorca, in Spain’s Balearic Islands. According to a 19th-century French dictionary by scholar Émile Littré, it was born there as “Mahonnaise”, at a time when the French, Spanish and British empires were fighting over the dominion of the archipelago. The gin Xoriguer Mahon bottle is as distinctive as its determinedly Spanish-influenced flavour. You can buy the Xoriguer gin that UK gin connoisseurs are going wild for online. The Spanish Gin and Tonic Recipe If you want a real blast of juniper with your gin, then look for a London Dry variety. Interestingly - and confusingly - London Dry gin doesn’t have to be made in London, it is a production method that distillers have to abide by. If you’re hunting for the best gin, you’ve landed in the right place. Here at ShortList we have a gang of experts busy taste testing the greatest gins you can buy right now to let you know which gin is right for you, covering taste, value and price.

Once that’s done, coat your palm with gin, leave it a few seconds so the alcohol disappears, cup and smell - this will offer up the aroma notes of the gin before you actually taste. Mahon, as the capital of the island, offers the best choice when it comes to shopping, as you might expect. From vibrant markets to elegant independent boutiques and souvenir shops, you'll find everything you need in Menorca. If you do it in a standard shot glass, then you are mostly just getting the ethanol fume and that isn’t a good thing. One of the simplest ways to make sure you are getting the right gin for your taste buds is to study the botanicals that have been used. If you are looking for a floral gin, then find ingredients that are plant and flower based. If you prefer your gin with a bit more fruit, then look for any added fruit infusions. In the broadest of strokes, though, here are the most famous varieties of gin: Take it neat: If you really want to get the flavours of the gin, then your first taste should be neat, without tonic or ice.Up until 2015, this was gin made in Plymouth UK (hence the name). Now, there is only one distillery in Plymouth. Plymouth Original Strength is 41.2% and isn’t quite as dry as the London gin variant. First, a little bit of history… Gin, or jenever as it was originally known, is an aromatic liquor flavoured with juniper berries. Since its origins as a medicinal drink in the Middle Ages, the British love of gin spread to its naval base in port Mahon, Menorca and before long, Spain was producing its own version of the drink and is now among the biggest consumer of gin in Europe. Make sure that you vote for your favourite tipple and if your gin of choice isn't in the list, let us know below and we'll try and get it in to sample so we can see how it compares to all of the others. If you are looking for a slightly cheaper tipple (that is still fantastic) then head to our best supermarket gin list, where we've done hundreds of hours of taste testing. If you want pink gin or a gin that's sweeter, then let our best flavoured gin list be your guide. And you will also need a mixer – that's where our best tonic water list comes in. The traditional pairing for Spanish gin is tonic, a carbonated beverage flavoured with quinine. Capture the vibrancy of Spain with our top tips for making the perfect Spanish style gin and tonic. It’s crucial to get your glass as cold as possible by initially stirring a few ice cubes around the glass to chill it. Drain out any excess water.

Bottle of your gin of choice (I use Bombay Sapphire due to its fresh forest floor pine notes and spicy character). After a century of British rule, Menorca was finally handed over to Spain in 1802, yet the Brits left behind clear traces of their passage. Not only are these evident in some of Menorca’s architecture, but in its drinking culture too, as the island is believed to be responsible for the first gin ever produced in the Mediterranean. Algarve Holidays | Antalya Holidays | Antigua Holidays | Balearic Islands Holidays | Barbados Holidays | Benidorm Holidays | Bodrum Holidays | Bulgaria Holidays | Canary Islands Holidays | Cancun Holidays | Cape Verde Holidays | Caribbean Holidays | Corfu Holidays | Costa Del Sol Holidays | Crete Holidays | CroatiaHolidays | Cruise Holidays| Cuba Holidays | Cyprus HolidaysYou can't go shopping in Mahon without wandering through its markets, which are the heart and soul of the city. Like markets across the Mediterranean, much of the produce in Menorca is made just hours before it's put on sale, so you'll know you'll be buying fresh, local ingredients. If you're staying in self-catering accommodation and you're keen to do a bit of cooking during your holiday, don't miss the chance to do some food shopping in Mahon. Legend has it that Mahon is also the birthplace of mayonnaise, hence the name. The resulting spirit is a clear, fragrant, well-defined gin that manages to capture the real essence of its sole botanical, with aromas that range from juniper itself to green wood, herbs and zesty citrus, a broad, fresh finish, and a peppery aftertaste. Sifting juniper berries Jamaica Holidays | Jersey Holidays | Kefalonia Holidays | Kos Holidays | Lake Garda Holidays | Lanzarote Holidays | Las Vegas Holidays | Madeira Holidays | Magaluf Holidays | Majorca Holidays | Maldives Holidays | Malta Holidays | Mauritius Holidays | Menorca Holidays | Mexico Holidays | Morocco Holidays | Mykonos Holidays Next take one of your perfectly cut lime wedges and between thumb and forefinger, squeeze into the bottom of the highball glass then drop in the wedge. This is the place to be if you're looking for some great-value clothing and leather goods. In summer, the Mercat Ambulant del Parc Rochina also has a traditional Menorcan dance show when cruise ships arrive in Mahon, which is well worth seeing.

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Look out for a pair of traditional avarcas sandals worn on the island. Hard-wearing, they are perfect for the beach and walking along the port, and also have a special status which means they can only be manufactured in Menorca. Incidentally, shoe-making has been one of Menorca's main industries for centuries, which, like gin, has its origins in the 18th century. In fact, this industry has provided a livelihood for many families on the island for years.

When it comes to making the perfect Spanish Gin and Tonic we have it covered!

Find more Things To Do in Mahon: Cala Figuera | Exploring Mahon and Ciutadella | Mola Fortress | Mahon Town | Sunrise in Es Castell