Paul Kushner
The gin and tonic is fun to say and fun to make. It’s easy to make too. Right?
Sort of, yes, but there is a ‘but’. Despite only having two ingredients, this cocktail has to be done just right.
To mix the perfect gin and tonic, you need to consider everything from the spirit proof and gin style to the garnish and the glass itself.
History
British soldiers and Indian citizens of the 1840s would not believe the variety that now exists from what was originally a way to make antimalarial quinine powder palatable.
Quinine powder was so bitter that doctors and nurses mixed it with sugar and soda so patients could imbibe it more easily.
Entrepreneurs being what they are, they soon took hold of it and sold it to the public. It wasn’t long before tonic joined the gin to make something more akin to what we know today.
The quinine flavor has lessened over the generations, and today, it is far sweeter to suit a modern preference.
The gin and tonic combo is so good that it’s hard even to say one without thinking of the other. The best thing about it is you can, of course, claim it has medicinal purposes.
How To Make It
Gin and Tonic
With two ingredients, you would think perhaps there is little room for maneuver, but things could not be further from the truth. There are lots of different tonics and even more gins available in good stores or online, so you can experiment to find your favorite flavor combo.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- Tonic water
- Limes for garnish
Instructions
- Pop some ice in a rocks or highball glass all the way to the top
- Pour in your gin
- Pour your tonic water on top and stir gently
- Garnish with lime wheels and
Gin and Tonic Variations
The gin & tonic is a simple cocktail, so it’s easy to vary it to match your taste!
You can afford to be creative and play to your palate’s content!
- To soften the cocktail, a measure of dry vermouth can be beneficial.
- If it’s refreshment you need, perhaps on a hot summer’s day, muddle in some fruit or cucumber.
- The typical garnish is lime, but you can also garnish with rosemary or other herbs!
- You could even stretch to barrel-aged gin for a completely different vibe.
- If you don’t like the taste of tonic, replace it with club soda to make a Gin Rickey.
FAQ
What is the ratio of gin to tonic?
A gin and tonic is a perfectly crafted drink, using two-thirds tonic with one-third gin of 45% ABV or above.
The balance of these ingredients is crucial. The piquancy of the tonic can be overpowered if there is too much gin. Equally, the botanical flavor of the gin can be lost if watered down with too much tonic.
Why do you put ice in a gin and tonic?
The gin and tonic is served on the rocks with ice, both to keep your drink cold and to allow slow dilution of ice into the drink. More ice is better because it keeps the drink nice and cold, and also slows the dilution of the drink.
What mixes well with gin and tonic?
Lime is the most common addition to a gin and tonic, and the drink usually comes with a lime garnish that you can squeeze into the drink.
Other flavors also blend well into a G&T – lemon is popular in England, but you can use other garnishes like herbs (I like to use rosemary), or even cucumber or other fruits like strawberries.
Do you pour gin or tonic first?
You typically pour gin first over ice, then top it with tonic and give the drink a stir to balance the flavors.
Are club soda and tonic water the same thing?
No, club soda and tonic water are not the same. Tonic water is flavored and sweetened with quinine, which gives it a distinct, slightly bitter flavor. Club soda is unflavored.
Which gin should I use in a gin and tonic?
The traditional gin used in a gin and tonic is a London Dry gin, but this drink is so versatile that you can use any gin of your choice to create your own perfect G&T.
Today, there are lots of different gins with different botanicals and flavors, so you can play with finding one that best fits your tastes!
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