You see, back in the 17th and 18th Centuries, the River Thames would frequently freeze during the winter. When this happened, Londoners used to head out onto the ice to hold 'frost fairs' with all sorts of market stalls set up to sell to those there for the skating and games. Many of these stalls would have been selling hot gin and gingerbread to keep the revellers warm.
We think this is a tradition that needs to be brought back, but with global warming and urbanisation putting paid to the 'frost fairs' we're going to have to rely on a different approach to combine gin and gingerbread this winter.