Culinary Icon Jacques Pépin, 87, Suggests Eating Gin-Soaked Raisins Every Night for ‘Good Health and Longevity’

Chef and writer Jacques Pépin prepares a French omelet in a YouTube video published on the channel “Home Cooking with Jacques Pépin.” (Photo: Home Cooking with Jacques Pépin/YouTube)

In the realm of culinary wisdom, Jacques Pépin, a celebrated French chef, holds a peculiar yet intriguing practice close to his heart. According to Food & Wine, every evening, Pépin partakes in a ritual involving the consumption of seven raisins soaked in gin. This unconventional habit, a subtle deviation from the nine raisins the widespread folk remedy usually calls for, was revealed during an extensive cover shoot with the magazine at Pépin’s Connecticut residence.

During the shoot, Pépin shared his approach to maintaining good health and potentially achieving longevity. He emphasized the significance of pleasure in one’s life, showcasing a distinctive way of savoring it through booze-soaked dried fruit. Food & Wine even noted that the iconic chef enthusiastically pointed out the crock where he steeps his raisins.

This revelation made a lasting impression on the publication’s editor-in-chief, Hunter Lewis, who later integrated it into an editor’s letter for the Food & Wine July issue. Titled “Four Lessons From Jacques,” the letter elaborated on Pépin’s gin-based ritual.

“Eat seven gin-soaked raisins every night for good health and longevity,” the letter read. “Simply add your favorite gin and raisins to a jar, seal, and wait to eat them until they soften slightly.”

Pépin, now at the age of 87, stands as a testament to the pursuit of pleasure and the embrace of unique practices that may contribute to a fulfilling and enduring life.

Do Gin-Soaked Raisins Actually Work?

(Photo: Neva Kuruyemiş/Unsplash)

While Pépin shows us that taking the time to enjoy a little boozy treat is a great way to cherish life, the gin-soaked raisin is unfortunately not a remedy for anything besides a hankering for alcoholic fruit.

Originating as a purported remedy for arthritis, gin-soaked raisins gained popularity in the 1990s through radio broadcaster Paul Harvey’s endorsement. Harvey claimed that eating nine gin-soaked golden raisins a day alleviated his arthritis pain, although the origin of this exact dosage is unclear.

However, there is no concrete evidence to support the idea that gin-soaked raisins effectively help with arthritis. The alleged benefits are primarily based on anecdotal evidence and a placebo-like effect, possibly influenced by the presence of alcohol. Rheumatologist Dr. Richard Hess even once humorously noted that the remedy’s success is likely psychological, jokingly suggesting that drinking the gin might be more beneficial than consuming the raisins.

Additionally, while some components of gin-soaked raisins, like juniper, may possess anti-inflammatory properties, the distillation process during gin production nullifies these potential health benefits. Therefore, gin-soaked raisins are simply a unique snack and not a scientifically proven cure for arthritis-related inflammation or a secret hack to increase one’s longevity.

Yet, all hope is not lost! Gin-soaked raisins are still a neat treat for those of legal drinking age. They offer quite the special botanical punch, all packed up in delightfully bite-sized pieces. So feel free to enjoy your gin-soaked raisins just like Pépin — life’s too short to not moderately munch on boozy fruit!

Read next:

Sip Into Fall: How to Make the Perfect Pumpkin Spice Gin Cocktail

How Is Alcohol-Free Gin Made?

Monthly Roundup: The 12 Top Gins Released in September 2023