The Gin and Tonic– fondly referred to as a G&T– is a classic gin cocktail that sure has stood the test of time. Its crisp and refreshing and super easy combination of gin, tonic water, and citrus garnish makes it a go-to choice for cocktail enthusiasts around the world.
Whether you’re lounging by the pool or enjoying a cozy evening at home, the Gin and Tonic is the perfect classic cocktail, no matter the time of year. You can even fancy it up during the holidays, for example.
Copyright A Bar Above
Gin & Tonic Ingredients
The Gin and Tonic is a two-part cocktail, which means you’ll only need a few simple ingredients to create this refreshing drink:
- Gin: Choose a high-quality gin that suits your taste preferences. London Dry gin like Bombay Sapphire or Beefeater gin are popular choices, known for their juniper-forward flavor profile.
- Tonic Water: Opt for a good-quality tonic water that complements the gin. Look for one with a balance of bitter and sweet notes to enhance the overall taste so your drink recipe isn’t just full of bitter mineral flavor. Note that this is not a low-calorie drink ingredient. If you don’t like your Gin & Tonics with a hefty calorie count, try a light tonic/diet tonic instead.
- Fresh Lime or Lemon: Squeeze a wedge of lime or lemon into the drink for a zesty citrus flavor addition.
- Ice: Ice is your friend here! Use plenty of ice cubes to ensure your Gin and Tonic stays perfectly chilled and so that this classic cocktail recipe dilutes properly.
Copyright A Bar Above
There are other awesome two-part or highball cocktails, such as Rum & Coke, Whiskey & Soda, or (Chris’ personal favorite) Chartreuse & Root Beer.
How to Make a Gin and Tonic
The Gin & Tonic is one of the easiest cocktail recipes to make– you don’t even need a cocktail shaker! In our opinions, the perfect ratio of gin to tonic is 1:3, and you can get creative from there.
Check out how Chris does it, and make sure to watch the whole video for tips & his special variation:
Gin & Tonic Variations
While the original version of this mixed drink is undeniably delicious, there are endless possibilities to personalize this versatile cocktail. Here are a few flavor variations to consider:
Copyright A Bar Above
- Split Base Spirit: As you can see in the video, you can add a lot of flavor and depth by cutting the gin with another spirit or liqueur. For our enhanced version, Chris reduces the 2 ounces gin to 1 3/4 ounce and adds 1/2 ounce of Maraschino liqueur. (The 5 ounces tonic stays the same.) Optional: a pinch of salt and fresh pepper
- European Gin & Tonic: This in another version that Chris shows you how to make in the video. It’s an elevated style of this classic cocktail using 1 1/2 ounces basil and elderflower gin, 3/4 ounce Chareau (an aloe liqueur), 5 ounces of tonic, and a splash of fresh lime juice. Optional: a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Botanical Twist: Enhance the botanical flavors by adding fresh rosemary, a few crushed juniper berries, or a slice of cucumber. If you don’t have time to infuse your gin, you can also muddle a sprig of mint, basil, a rosemary sprig, or fresh thyme and then garnish with the same herb.
- Fruit Fusion: Experiment with fresh fruit like berries, grapefruit, cranberries, or oranges to add a vibrant burst of flavor to your drink. You can even just add some fresh lime juice. A personal favorite: The popular blackberry version by muddling fresh blackberries, creating a blackberry simple syrup, or using blackberry liqueur. Or keep it simple and mix in a splash of fruit juice, such as cranberry or pomegranate, for a colorful twist!
- Bittersweet Symphony: Enhance the complexity of your Gin & Tonic by adding a dash of aromatic bitters (or a flavored one like grapefruit or rhubarb) or a small amount of simple syrup to offset the tonic flavor.
- Make a Switch: You can easily add flavor by exchanging your plain tonic for elderflower tonic or cherry blossom tonic!
- Alternatives to Tonic: If you’re not a huge fan of the bitterness of tonic, consider making a Gin Highball with another carbonated beverage instead.
Copyright A Bar Above
Now that you have the foundation of this refreshing cocktail, feel free to explore and create your own variations. Let us know in the comments if you’re a G&T purist or if you have a favorite version. Cheers!
Gin and Tonic
Equipment
- 1 Hand Juicer optional, for lime juice
Ingredients
- 2 ounces London Dry Gin
- 5 ounces Tonic Water
- 1 each Cucumber for garnish
- 1 each Lime for garnish and optional juicing
- 1 pinch Salt & Fresh Pepper optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Build the ingredients into Collins glass, and add ice.
- Give a light stir with your bar spoon to mix the ingredients together.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and cucumber peel with a pich of salt and pepper.
