Tip : Add Fun Garnishes That Accentuate The Gin
Another cue we took from the Spanish gin and tonic tradition: use lots of garnishes that accentuate the gin flavor! According to this , the use of vegetables and herbs to highlight the botanicals is popular. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Lime or lemon wedge
- Blood orange slices
- Rosemary
Best Christmas Gin Cocktails
Gin has long been a Christmas drink of choice but there is so much more that can be done that goes beyond the classic gin and tonic. Whether youre counting down the days to Christmas, want a special tipple to sip whilst youre wrapping your presents, or want a drink to wow your guests at your Christmas party check out the best holiday gin cocktails below.
Sloe Gin and Cranberry Martini
- 1 x measure sloe gin
- 1 x measure normal gin
- Juice of ½ lemon
- A dash of cranberry juice
- Rosemary and fresh cranberries for the garnish
- Ice
To make: If youve been looking for one of the best sloe gin cocktails this one is for you. To make this winter warmer add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and get shaking. Pour into a Martini style glass, drop a few cranberries into the cocktail, and garnish with some fresh rosemary. A cocktail to die for!
G& t’s Origins In Short:
The history of the G& T really begins to take shape with the East India Trading Company and British colonial India, when the British troops would mix their medicinal quinine with gin to make it more palatable.
It wasnt the first time quinine was used to treat malaria, as there are reports of its usage in 1631 when malaria was endemic to the swamps and marshes surrounding the city of Rome .
It is clearly possible to trace the gin and tonic back to the early days of Queen Victoria and expatriates returning from the Indian colonies who had developed a taste for the concoction, but this is too simple a version of history. Tonic wines made with quinine were also on the market and the rise of the G& T is a murky culmination of factors – medicine, colonial empires, the move of some medicinal tinctures and concoctions into more recreational drinking contexts, the dawn of carbonated drinks and iced drinks becoming a known luxury.
The often repeated origin story may be simple to grasp and make a catchy headline, but history seldom is. Moreover, it’s all those elements and the way they create a confluence of factors that makes the rise of such an iconic cocktail possible in the first place so fascinating.
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Pay Close Attention To Your Gins And Your Tonics
This one may seem obvious, but many people don’t always take the time to taste tonics and gins individually before deciding which ones pair best together. Lancha has two favorite tonic waters that he finds work best with a variety of gins.
“I tend to like one or two tonic waters that can support any G& T, as a benchmark, and then play more around the gin and the garnish,” says Lancha.
Two tonics that make frequent appearances in the Jaleo G& Ts? Fever-Tree tonic water and Jack Rudy tonic.
“Sometimes I find that a particular gin works beautiful with a particular tonic water, based on the size and quality of the bubbles , as well as its acidity, sweetness or bitterness, with which I dont want to bother and add ‘noise’ to the gin and the garnishes, which I prefer to showcase,” he says.
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There are plenty of fizzy gin drinks to go around. A Gin Rickey swaps tonic for club soda. A Tom Collins favors lemon over lime. A Sloe Gin Fizz requires a very specific kind of British gin-based liqueur. And of course, there are the non-fizzy gin cocktail classics, like the Gin Martini and the Gimlet.
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Start With Quality Ingredients
There are plenty of opinions about what makes the gin and tonic perfect, but I think everyone will agree that you need to begin with a quality gin and a quality tonic water .
Like any cocktail, it will only be as good as the sum of its parts, and poor quality ingredients can ruin the entire experience. This doesnt mean that you need to spend a lot of money, but dont use bottom shelf gin or store brand tonic water. Tip: if your gin or your tonic water are packaged in plastic, chances are theyre not the best choices.
What Is The Best Ratio Of Gin To Tonic
A gin and tonic should be crisp and refreshing, never boozy or heavy. After doing some research, ratios can vary. Some enjoy equal parts gin to tonic, others reduce the gin and double the tonic. For us, we liked it right in the middle, which kept the drink light and crisp, but still aromatic from the gin.
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Is It Safe To Drink Tonic Water Every Day
It is generally harmless for most people to drink tonic water daily in moderation. Quinine is the ingredient in tonic water that is responsible for its semi-bitter and dry taste. The alkaloid is derived from cinchona bark and can lead to quinine toxicity in high doses. This is most often a concern in medication form or for people with certain medical conditions, and it can interact with some medications. To ensure the tonic water sold in the U.S. is safe, the FDA limits how much quinine can be present in tonic water.
How Strong Is A Gin And Tonic
The gin and tonic can be as light or as strong as you want to make it. The strength is controlled by the amount of tonic you pour. With the average 5-ounce pour of tonic and an 80-proof gin, the drink weighs in around 10 percent ABV . It’s a very casual drink, which is why it’s a favorite to serve at dinner.
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You May Not Have To Worry About Hypoglycemia If You Drink Gin Every Night
Gin, especially London Dry Gin, is incredibly natural. Sam Carter, senior brand ambassador for gin distillery Bombay Sapphire, explained to Good Housekeeping that this variety of gin contains just 0.01 grams of sugar per liter. And, since no flavorings or additives are allowed to be added to the gin after it’s distilled, it’s very clean. But, even if you don’t opt for London Dry Gin, distilled gin is also quite natural. Yes, gin is a great fit for people looking to eat a clean diet, but it’s arguably an ever greater fit for people with type 1 diabetes.
According to a study published by the Journal of Diabetes Nursing , gin is the best choice for people with this condition as it doesn’t contribute to hypoglycemia the way other kinds of alcohol do. As part of the study, researchers compared the blood levels of participants after drinking alcoholic beverages and found that blood levels remained the highest in participants who drank gin with a no-carb tonic. Choosing to drink gin every night, as opposed to other drinks like whiskey, doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
What Is Gin And Tonic
Gin and tonic or simply gin tonic is a highball cocktail.
For the uninitiated, a highball cocktail is a mix of alcoholic base and a non-alcoholic carbonated drink with a good amount of ice.
In this case, the alcoholic base is London dry gin, while the non-alcoholic drink is carbonated tonic water.
A classic gin and tonic is typically in the ratio of 1:1. However, a cocktail of gin and tonic in the ratio 1:3 is also common.
In addition, the cocktail is garnished with a wedge or slice of lime. Gin and tonic is also known as G and T.
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Gin And Tonic Taste Test: Do Expensive Brands Make A Difference
This Monday, as you stand with friends and in-laws on your freshly-mowed lawn, tearing up as charcoal smoke from the burger-bedecked Weber assaults your eyes, you’ll probably have a beer in your hand. A Budweiser or maybe, if your cousin from Brooklyn is there and offered to bring drinks, a Dogfish Head. But what you’ll really want, and what you should really mix yourself, is a gin and tonic.
It’s the perfect drink for Memorial Day. Refreshing enough to fight the humidity, but not frivolously summery. It’s classy yet no-nonsense, making it appropriate for a holiday that commemorates dead soldiers.
In particular, it’s the perfect drink for Memorial Day this year — because, according to the New York Times Dining section, 2013 is year of the gin and tonic. A burst of enthusiasm for G& T’s at high-end restaurants in Spain, of all places, has inspired mixologists at cool bars across the U.S. to rethink and rejigger the classic drink using artisanal ingredients and garnishes like strawberries and cucumbers. Some even concoct their own tonic water.
We certainly don’t expect you to do that on Sunday before your barbecue. But you can also do better than the dusty, half-empty bottles of Schweppes and Seagram’s that have been moldering in your liquor cabinet since 2003.
Our tasters liked the other two, Fever Tree, which costs about as much as Q, and Canada Dry, which costs much less, for different purposes.
How To Drink Gin And Tonic Properly
As silly as it sounds, there is a proper way to drink gin and tonic to enjoy it thoroughly.
You dont always have to pop into a bar to relish this classic drink.
You can indulge in this fantastic drink at the comfort of your home or kitchen counter, With a little bit of prep.
The first pro tip is to get a thoroughly chilled glass. A highball glass is typically the glass of choice for gin and tonic.
Fill the glass with ice and let it settle for a minute or two so the glass gets frosty.
Pouring the gin over the ice is next. You should proceed to fill the glass with tonic water.
At this stage, many people will rush to slurp the drink.
But according to gin specialist David T. Smiths book, The Gin Dictionary, allowing the drink to mix and settle for a couple of minutes is the best way to relish this cocktail.
So keep it classy, and do not go overboard with your gin and tonic concoction.
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How To Make Tonic Water Taste Better
These additives make tonic water taste bitter and slightly sweet. Make a virgin version of the singapore sling by combining pineapple juice, mango juice, pomegranate juice, a splash of lime juice and tonic water.
Schweppes Indian Tonic Water. Tonic water
How To Build The Cocktail
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Rosemary & Thyme Collins
- Soda Water
- Lime wedge for the garnish
To make: to start with you need to make a rosemary and thyme sugar syrup. To do this, simply add the rosemary and thyme sprigs to a pan with 250 ml of water and 250 g of sugar, simmer gently until the sugar has dissolved and then remove from the heat. Remove the rosemary and thyme and allow the mixture to cool before using in your cocktail.
To make the cocktail you will only need 20ml of your herb-infused syrup, and you can store the rest in the fridge for a later date. Add your syrup, gin, lemon juice, and ice to a cocktail shaker and mix it all together vigorously. Pour into your glass of choice and then top up with the soda water. Garnish with your lime wedge and a sprig of rosemary or thyme .
You May Shed Some Tears If You Drink Gin Every Night
Certain types of alcohol have earned certain types of reputations. Tequila makes you crazy, beer makes you have a belly, and gin makes you cry. In the case of gin, this old wives’ tale may actually be true. A 2017 study conducted by researchers from Public Health Wales and King’s College London in the United Kingdom surveyed about 30,000 men and women between the ages of 18 and 24 to determine how different types of alcohol affected their emotions and behavior.
Those who drank spirits, including gin, rum, and whiskey, were more likely to experience negative emotions. These emotions also spilled over into feelings of aggression. While only 2.5 percent of the participants experienced aggro after drinking red wine, a third of those who drank spirits felt this way.
Of course, there could’ve been a few factors at play. “Emotions experienced could also be related to when the alcohol is drunk, the levels of alcohol within each beverage type and the different compounds found in different drinks,” the report revealed. Still, gin tears seem to be a very real phenomenon when you drink gin every night.
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So Youve Made Your G& t Better The Important Question Now Is Which Snacks Do You Enjoy With Your G& t
For us, few things are more perfect for snacking on as you sip away at your G& T than Penn State Pretzels, especially their Sour Cream & Chive flavour.
Made in the UK, these authentic, American-style pretzels are so delectably crunchy and moreish and that herbaceous Sour Cream and Chive seasoning works so well with a crisp, refreshing gin and tonic. They are all you need for the perfect night in!
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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Noble Experiment San Diego
This swanky speakeasy, hidden inside a popular downtown eatery, helped ignite San Diegos craft cocktail renaissance. Noble Experiments robust gin program offers something for everyone, whether you prefer London dry style, have a sweeter palate, or like heavily botanical gins. Bar lead Tony Roehr uses Sipsmith VJOPa slightly over proof gin with a huge juniper kickfor the house G& T. Were pretty proud of our G& T, which was inspired by the botanicals surrounding Southeast Asia like pandan, Thai basil and ginger, says Roehr. Essentially, we made our own tonic syrup that included those botanicals, along with citrus peels, juniper berries, star anise and cinchona bark.
House Gin & Tonic
- 1.5 oz. Sipsmith VJOP gin
- 1 oz. tonic syrup *
- Seltzer topper
Pour gin and tonic syrup into a glass over ice stir gently to mix. Top with seltzer.
*Tonic Syrup Recipe
- 0.5 oz. malic acid
- 16 oz. sugar
Make the tonic syrup by simmering all ingredients in a saucepan on low for 30 minutes strain. Mix sugar with the remaining liquid . Let cool.
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.
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Sage Rosemary & Thyme Gin And Tonic
50ml gin30ml herb-infused honey or simple syrup 2 sprigs of thyme and/or rosemary2 sage leaves1 lemon
Gently simmer the honey with the thyme, rosemary and sage for roughly 5 minutes. You can also use just one or two of the herbs instead of all three, if you prefer. Once the honey or simple syrup is cool, add it to a glass filled with ice along with the gin, tonic, and a squeeze of lemon, then stir for at least 30 seconds. Add a twist of lemon peel and/or a little sprig of any of the herbs, to garnish.
How To Drink Gin: 4 Ways To Sample Its Richness And Flavor
Learning how to drink gin gives you the ability to enjoy its full flavour and versatility. While there are no real rules that limit how you can drink gin, there are a few tips for drinking gin that will improve your experience and help you love this spirit even more than you already do. When tasted and sampled in various ways, youll find gin is a refined drink, with ample variety for any type of evening out. Whether you enjoy neat gin or mix, this piece shows you the full range of ways you can enjoy this alcoholic beverage.
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Best Pink Gin Cocktails
You might be a gin lover but have you ever heard of pink gin? This is usually made by adding a combination of berries like raspberries, strawberries, and redcurrants. Some varieties of pink gin also contain Angostura bitters to give it a bittersweet flavor. Check out one of our favorite pink gin cocktails below.
Pink Ginsecco
- Mint
- Ice cubes
To make: add the ice cubes to a large wine glass, then simply add your measures of pink gin and prosecco and top up with lemonade. Add a few raspberries to the mix and garnish with some fresh mint. Delicious!