You've seen the ads.
Gin is back as the spirit of choice for America's hip, young drinkers.
Whether it's the snob appeal of premium brands or the odd fascination with the fictional Mr. Jenkins touting another high-end quaff for the trendies, gin manufacturers are using whatever it takes to woo a generation once considered lost to the clear charms of vodka. Martini bars are popping up in the fashionable neighborhoods of New York, Seattle, Miami and other style-setting cities. One would think this means good news for gin, the heart of a perfect martini and soul of a gin and tonic. One would be premature, to say the least. According to the most recent figures available from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, gin sales totaled 26.3 million gallons in 1995.