Would you prefer a cup of tea or a gin & tonic?

A cup of tea and a gin and tonic are arguably the two most quintessentially British beverages, making it akin to choosing between David Attenborough and Queen Elizabeth when asked to pick a favourite.

However, in a recent survey of over 2,000 Britons, this choice was put to the test — and by a narrow margin, G&T emerged victorious.

The results revealed that 44 percent would reach for a G&T when socialising with friends, while 41 percent favored a cup of tea.

The remaining 15 per cent were crippled by the enormity of the question and unable to choose.

However, G&T’s victory should probably not be a surprise. The UK remains the world’s biggest market for gin. Last year sales of gin reached £750,000,000, but sales of tea are flagging.

Gin, boasting an alcohol content of 40 percent, has enjoyed popularity in Britain since the 17th century, with consumption skyrocketing after William of Orange introduced restrictions on French brandy imports.

Tea also made its way to England in the 17th century, though its recent sales have been declining. Just last week, Britain’s oldest tea brand, Typhoo Tea, entered administration, struggling with over £70 million in debt and waning demand.

In 2022, sales of everyday black tea brands like PG Tips and Yorkshire Tea fell by 6 percent to £341 million, marking the first time their value was surpassed by sales of specialty teas such as ginger, peppermint, and chamomile.

If you could only choose, one would it be a cup of tea or a G&T?