How To Make A Good Gin And Tonic
Are you looking for the most delicious, refreshing and crisp gin and tonic recipe? Weve already revealed the botanicals in our small-batch gin so we thought wed share some more trade secrets and teach you how to mix the perfect gin and tonic!
Before you crack open the Sing Gin, lets take a look into the history and science behind making a good gin and tonic.
Allow us to take you on a short but insightful journey, starting with a brief history of the gin and tonic, which tonic water tastes best with gin, the perfect gin to tonic ratio and the ideal glass to serve your gin and tonics in.
Well leave the drinking part to you!
Can I Make Tonic Water At Home
Many types of soda are fun to make at home. However, tonic water is one that should always be purchased from a reputable manufacturer. Due to the serious side effects of cinchonism, it can be harmful to make your own tonic syrup from cinchona bark because it is impossible to control the amount of quinine. It is generally safe to purchase a premade tonic syrup if you follow the company’s recommended dilution to make tonic water. As an alternative, you can make quinine-free tonic syrup at home.
The Perfect Gin And Tonic Recipe In 6 Easy Steps
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Whats the perfect Gin and Tonic recipe? The answer is: however you like it! But if youre not sure, heres our G& T recipe and youre going to love it!
If youre reading this, you might be wondering: whats the perfect gin and tonic recipe? Or more to the point: whats the perfect Gin and Tonic ratio?
Youre here looking for specific measurements, we get it. But the truth is: the perfect Gin and Tonic Recipe doesnt exist.
The perfect Gin and Tonic recipe depends on your taste. You might like equal measures of Gin to Tonic Water or you might like much more Tonic Water than Gin. You might prefer a sprig of mint rather than Lemon as a garnish.
These options are acceptable versions of a G& T. But the point is, you make the perfect Gin and Tonic recipe based on your taste.
Heres a quick look at our Gin and Tonic recipe:
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How To Make The Perfect Gin And Tonic
With only two ingredients to its very literal name, the gin and tonic is a straightforward classic. At least, its supposed to be. The trouble with cocktails with minimal components is that it requires skill and knowledge to make those flavours harmonise, because there wont be additional ingredients to help disguise any discordant notes. Add to that the vast array of gins and tonics available on the market and you may find yourself simply reaching for the first things you see on the shelf.
But dont be afraid to experiment. Daniel Anthony, bartender at The Gin Parlour, encourages us to follow our palates and be bold.You can never be too artistic. Add a few dashes of Tabasco if you like it spicy, or soak lavender and other edible flowers in your gin for a hint of floral fragrance, he shares.
Its about discovering your ideal gin and tonic, so enjoy the process that will lead you to your perfect glass.
Still, there are certain guidelines to follow if youre aiming for maximum flavour while maintaining balance. Here are a few things to take note of:
The Perfect Gin And Tonic
How do you make the perfect gin and tonic? Its all about the details in this classic cocktail. To bring that summer drink to life, add fresh mint and a squeeze of lime.
When Im in the mood for a warm weather cocktail thats cool and refreshing, I turn to a crisp gin and tonic.
With fresh mint and a squeeze of lime, it has just enough sweetness to put you in a lounging on the patio mood, but without coating your mouth with a layer of syrup.
Since the two main ingredients are right there in the name, making a classic gin and tonic is easy. However, the magic is in the details.
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A Gin And Tonic Is The Classic Drink Delicious In A Glass With Ice And A Garnish But Despite Its Simplicity There Are A Few Easy Ways To Elevate This Popular Cocktail Charlie Hendon Head Distiller At Burleighs Gin Explains More
The first step to the perfect gin and tonic is, unsurprisingly, choosing a quality gin. There are a lot of wonderful UK craft gins available, and were never short of suggestions. Another top choice among gin aficionados , is the Isle of Wights Mermaid Gin, which is lovely and smooth. But once youve made your choice, there are several easy ways that you can make sure your gin and tonic is utterly perfect. We spoke to Charlie Hendon, Head Distiller at Burleighs Gin, about how to create the perfect serve.
Whats the ratio of gin to tonic?
The general rule for a Gin and Tonic is a one-part Gin to two parts Tonic ratio, but this is just a guide. How much tonic you use is completely up to you as a gin drinker, and youll know what you like. It also depends on the kind of gin youre drinking – strength, flavour profiles and whether its a single or double measure can all determine how much tonic you want to use. My advice is to try the 1:2 ratio and keep experimenting from there.
What tonic waters work best?
How much ice should I use?
We always use as much ice as possible in a G& T – fill the glass with an avalanche of ice cubes! People are often concerned that lots of ice will dilute the G& T, but the more ice cubes you have in a glass, the cooler it stays and youre left with a deliciously chilled G& T. Larger ice cubes melt more slowly, which is why they work well in gin.
What type of glass should I serve gin in?
How do I know what type of garnish to use?
What Tonic To Serve With Gin
For a classic G& T we would suggest a crisp, classic tonic to really let the botanicals in the gin shine. The bitterness in a classic tonic really compliments the piney juniper of gin and keeps your G& T from being overly sweet.
However, there are now many flavoured tonics available pink grapefruit, cucumber, basil and orange are some of the more popular flavours. When mixing your gin with a flavoured tonic, be sure to do your research to see what flavours will complement the tasting notes of the gin without overpowering them.
For example, a citrus-led gin like Dry Island Gin, which includes botanicals of lemon myrtle and strawberry gum, pairs beautifully with the Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic water. The sweet and zesty orange of the tonic water balances perfectly with the fruitiness of the strawberry gum.
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How Many Drinks Is 10 Units
One unit of alcohol is 10ml of pure alcohol, which is equivalent to half a pint of normal-strength lager or a single measure of spirits. A small glass of wine contains about 1.5 units, a standard glass is 2.1 and a bottle of wine contains 10 units. Meanwhile, a can of lager, beer or cider is two units.
How To Make The Best Gin And Tonic
Start with this recipe, and whatever you do, don’t forget the lime.
The gin and tonic just might be the easiest cocktail of all. It’s a two-ingredient drinkmade from a combination of, you guessed it, gin and tonicwith a simple but essential citrus garnish. But as with every recipe with minimal components, the quality of each element is extremely important. Here we’re sharing our classic recipe for making a gin and tonic and explaining the elements of the drink. Use this basic formula to test drive some different gins, find the tonic that pairs best with your favorite gin and decide what glass, how much ice you like, and how you’ll garnish your G& T.
It’s sometimes called the gin tonic, in the UK it’s often referred to as a G& T. Whatever name you give it, the gin and tonic is a classic cocktail and a mixed drink that doesn’t require a cocktail shaker, muddling spoon, or other mixology equipment. It doesn’t even require a special glass like a does. It’s a refreshing cold drink on a hot summer night, when a more boozy cocktail would be too much. In fact, there are those who assert the G& T is a summer drink but there are othersmany others, actuallywho believe this classic is a refreshing sip any time of the year.
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The Best G& t Garnishes
Were spoiled for choice with the astonishing variety of garnishes available, but an orange twist or a sprig of mint are sure winners and they work beautifully in our big flavoured gin!
The leafiness of the mint will add a little punch to the orange whilst providing depth. Using an orange twist will add a touch of freshness without spoiling the delicate aromas. If youre feeling adventurous, try both!
Your perfect gin and tonic all depends on your palate, but this is our favourite gin and tonic recipe:
Ingredients
150ml of Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water
Plenty of fresh ice
A twist of orange and a sprig of mint
Method
Load up a tall glass with the ice, pour the Sing Gin over the rocks and top up with tonic. Give the mint a smack between your hands to bring out the aromas and help the flavour infuse into your drink, garnish and serve.
What are you waiting for? Start serving the best gin and tonics that your family and friends have ever tasted and enjoy the compliments that roll in!
If youd like to receive more fascinating gin facts and recipe hacks as well as exclusive discounts, . You can also follow Sing Gin on , , and .
Making A Classic Gin Fizz
All you need is 5 minutes and a few simple ingredients. For this cocktail, you will need:
- Gin
- Sugar
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Club Soda
To make it, mix the gin, lemon juice, and a little sugar. Add ice and fill to the top of your glass with club soda. Simple!
Recipe updated, originally posted September 2012. Since posting this in 2012, we have tweaked the recipe to be more clear. Adam and Joanne
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You May Be Able To Ward Off Certain Diseases If You Drink Gin Every Night
Researchers in Australia studied the relation between and bacteria and found that these powerful berries were able to “block the growth of bacterial triggers” of three major health conditions: multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Juniper berries also showed promising signs of being able to help treat certain types of cancer, according to the study.
A 2014 review conducted by researchers in India further revealed that the juniper plant has also been credited with antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant activity, which bodes well for it’s bacteria- and cancer-fighting potential. While gin is the only alcohol that contains a high concentration of this superfood, it is still alcohol a known carcinogen.
Yet and still, moderate consumption is generally considered safe. Theresa Hydes, a researcher at the UK’s University Hospital Southampton, told Discover that a person’s risk of developing most cancers “does not increase significantly until an individual starts drinking heavily.” While you shouldn’t look to gin as a miracle cure, choosing to drink gin every night is likely safe.
How Do You Make A Gin And Tonic Better With Garnish
In order to enhance the flavor and aromatics of the botanicals used during the distilling process for gin, get creative with your gin and tonic garnish. Most gin brands will list on the bottle what garnishes pair will with their botanicals.
Traditionally, in most parts of the world, a slice or wedge of lime is all the garnish you need. Sometimes lemon is also used. Fun fact: In the U.K., the use of both lemon and lime together is known as an Evans.
Personally, I like to match the garnish with the botanicals in the gin, so Iâll usually add a fruit as well as an herb. For example, orange and thyme, or grapefruit and rosemary. Hereâs a list of garnishes that go well with a gin and tonic, as well as some creative combinations too.
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Tonic Water Vs Club Soda
Club soda is unflavored, unsweetened carbonated water. Unlike seltzer , it includes a sodium ingredient, such as salt, and sometimes other additives. While the two look the same and are equally refreshing, tonic water has a completely different taste. Its bitterness is immediately recognizable and, despite its dry palate, tonic contains a sweetener.
Do You Put Ice In Gin And Tonic
While experts have different recommendations one thing they do agree on is a lot of ice. Adam Ellesmere, minister of fun at Sipsmith, told The Independent: Our first tip to create a beautifully balanced gin and tonic is ice, and plenty of it. The colder the drink, the less dilution and more flavour there is.
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Why Does Gin Go Well With Tonic
Gin and tonic water actually pair well together and taste better mixed than they do individually. The ice in a G& T adds a clean cool crispness to the ginâs botanicals, and the bubbly tonic enhances the flavor by bringing out all the aromatics for both a lovely scent and taste. Theres actually proven science behind why gin and tonic tastes so good together!
More Gin Cocktail Recipes
- You cant go wrong with this Classic Gin Fizz Cocktail. Its uncomplicated, fresh, light, and timeless.
- Learn what sloe gin is and how to use it to make one of our favorite cocktails: The Sloe Gin Fizz.
- Have you ever heard of a Southside Cocktail? Its a simple cocktail recipe Gin-based, mint-kissed with a touch of citrus.
- Add an herbal spin to the classic gin fizz cocktail with fresh rosemary and make Rosemary Gin Fizzes.
Recipe updated, originally posted December 2012. Since posting this in 2012, we have tweaked the recipe to be more clear. Adam and Joanne
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Getting The Details Right
By now were all familiar with the history of the gin and tonic: first a product of necessity, the G& T made bitter and quinine-rich tonic water palatable with the addition of gin, ice and citrus. Despite its initial medicinal use, the G& T has since become a favourite of drinkers around the globe and is prized for its freshness and subtle complexity.
Its no wonder that, given its international popularity, the G& T has a number of different guises. When it comes to the eternal question of lemon versus lime, there are a few different takes on the matter. Those who argue for lime say the fruit, with its bright, punchy flavour, offers a boldness that lemon simply cant match. However, many purists argue that lemon is the only choice: as a more delicate fruit, it is less likely to overwhelm the bounty of a gins botanicals.
If You Drink Gin Every Night It Won’t Prevent You From Getting Malaria
If you’ve ever heard anyone make reference to gin curing or preventing malaria, there is some basis to the claim sort of. While there’s nothing in gin that can prevent the disease, tonic water contains a compound from the bark of the cinchona tree known as quinine. According to Healthline, quinine was first used to fight malaria and with great success. “It was crucial in reducing the death rate of workers building the Panama Canal in the early 20th century,” the publication noted. As of this writing, quinine is still prescribed in some areas to combat the disease, although it’s not really used to prevent contracting the disease.
Technically, modern-day tonic water may have some preventative abilities, but you’d need to drink a lot of G and Ts. Deb Mills, medical director of The Travel Doctor, did the math and came up with a figure of 67 liters of tonic water per day. So, 33 and a half 2-liter bottles. Don’t try this at home, folks. Maybe, if you choose to drink gin every night, don’t always use the tonic water.
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What Is Tonic Water Made From
Modern tonic water begins like other soft drinks: A flavored syrup is mixed with carbonated water. Tonic syrup ingredients vary by brand. It commonly includes natural quinine , citrus peels or oils, and a sweetener . Other botanicals may include allspice, cinnamon, elderflower, gentian, ginger, lavender, and lemongrass.
Quinine is tonic water’s defining ingredient and the reason it glows under a black light. It is a natural alkaloid extracted from red or yellow cinchona bark . The cinchona tree is native to South Americaparticularly Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuadorwhere it is known as quinquina. In the 1600s, Europeans witnessed its use among indigenous people who made tea of the ground bark.
Quinine’s use helped fuel European colonialism and the slave trade. Dutch explorers introduced cinchona seeds to their colonies in Indonesia and Java in the 1800s later, it was introduced to parts of Africa. Cinchona trees continue to be cultivated in these areas for quinine use.
The British East India Company popularized the practice of adding water, sugar, and lime to so-called tonic water made with quinine. Gin was introduced to the mix, creating the first gin and tonic in the early 19th century.