Nigel Farage has proudly launched a Brexit -themed "quintessentially British" gin brand - but should probably have Googled the tipple's origins before embarking on his new venture.
The former UKIP leader, 58, has been roasted online, because gin - although very popular in the UK - was actually invented on mainland Europe.
The origins of the spirit can be traced back to the Netherlands in the 13th Century and only started to emerge in Britain at the time of the Stuart Restoration.
Announcing his new venture on Twitter yesterday (4 September), Farage said: "My brand new Farage gin is produced by an artisan distillery in the heart of Cornwall.
"Red, White or Blue — I hope you enjoy my patriotic take on this quintessentially British drink!"
Twitter users were quick to mock the £40 product.
"Nigel’s ruin," wrote one user.
Another person said: "Your 'Quintessentially British' drink originated in the Netherlands mate."
A third person added: "I’d rather drink my own p***."
Someone else commented: "I love that you, of all people, have chosen to make a gin - possibly the most quintessentially European drink of them all."
A fifth person said: "'It's really good'? You said Brexit would be really good too though didn't you?," which prompted another to reply: "Lol."
The red gin is flavoured with British cherries, the white gin is a classic dry style, and the blue gin is flavoured with gardenia flower giving it its trademark blue hue.
Farage promised a gift-wrapped bottle would be winging its way to his arch-nemesis for Christmas. He said: “Jean-Claude Juncker [former President of the European Commission] was a pleasant human being, despite the fact he didn’t agree with my position.
"He deserves a bottle and one will be on its way to Luxembourg. I can’t quite say the same about [European Parliament Brexit negotiator] Guy Verhofstadt, so he won't be getting one.
“And Donald Trump is teetotal. I hope when people give this as a present to Brexiteers it brings a big smile. And if it’s given to Remainers, well I hope it makes the family laugh.”
Speaking about the distillery in Cornwall Farage said: "A couple of years ago I happened to chance upon a retired couple who decided to have a go producing gin in their garage. I looked at the process they were using and it's all hand-made, hand-bottled, hand-labelled and hand-packed. It's a truly great cottage industry."
