Tuesday, March 12, 2024

How To Make The Best Gin And Tonic

How Do You Make A Gin And Tonic Better With Garnish

How to make the best Gin and Tonic

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.

Watermelon Gin & Tonic

4-5 cubes of fresh watermelonTonic water

Put a few good squeezes of lime juice into your glass, then add a few fresh slices of the lime to your glass. Fill your glass with plenty of ice cubes. Add a handful of freshly sliced cubes or wedges of watermelon. Pour over your gin and tonic water. Stir for a minute to help the watermelon flavour infuse and to chill the drink. Garnish with more lime or lemon slices, and a sprig of mint, if desired.

A Short History Of Gin And Tonic

The well-known gin and tonic was first created in India in the 18th century, around the 1850s by British soldiers. The legend says that in the Indian subcontinent malaria was a persistent problem and gin and tonic was created to help the soldiers fight the disease. A Scottish doctor by the name of George Cleghorn studied how quinine can be used to prevent the disease, which was thought to cure malaria.

The quinine itself was unpleasant having a very bitter taste making it hard to be digested by the soldiers. So they realised that adding sugar, tonic water , lime and gin will make the drink more pleasant-tasting. And just like that, the gin and tonic cocktail was born. Of course, after time, quinine was replaced with better anti-malarial drugs, but the G& T remained a popular cocktail. And since today tonic water is no longer used as an antimalarial remedy, it contains much less quinine and it is mostly sweetened and much less bitter.

Another way to look at the creation of gin and tonic is that the creation of quinine drinks came more organically over a longer period of time, by the recurring steeping medical ingredients in spirits by humanity to market and use as tonics.

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How To Make This Classic G & T Your Own:

When you change anything in a classic gin and tonic, Id say its no longer a classic. However, that being said, heres a few variations:

  • Increase/decrease the amount of gin. If you prefer a drink with less alcohol, use more tonic water and less gin.
  • Substitute vodka for the gin to make a vodka tonic, if you prefer.
  • Use lemon wedges in place of lime, or dont add citrus at all. Cucumber slices are commonly used instead of or with lime as a garnish.
  • If you like a lot of lime flavor, squeeze lime juice into the G & T or run a lime wedge on the rim of the glass.
  • Like oranges? Try this Orange Gin and Tonic with Cinnamon for an exciting variation. Or try a Cranberry Gin and Tonic with Rosemary.

Use Plenty Of Quality Ice

How To Make The Perfect Gin and Tonic: An Easy 4 Step Guide

Whenever youre making a highball, you want to use a LOT of ice. Yes, fill the glass with ice. Contrary to popular belief, more ice will actually mean that your drink is less watered down, rather than more. It will also be colder quicker and stay colder longer.

If possible, use large pieces of ice in your drinks. Visit my craft ice guide for more about how to make the best ice for cocktails.

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How To Make The Ultimate Gin & Tonic

Here are three simple steps to make the perfect gin and tonic:

Step One: Fill your glass to the top with large ice cubes the more ice, the longer your drink stays refreshingly cool.

Step Two: Pour over a measure of gin followed by the Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water

Step Three: Add lime garnish to finish and enjoy

Top Tip: Peel a strip from the outside of the lime, twist it over the top of the glass to spritz the sweet citrus oil into the drink, then drop into the glass.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Not only is gin and tonic a refreshing and easy-to-make cocktail but its also a great alternative to wine and beer. The above G& T recipe contains 236 calories. In terms of how many units are in a gin and tonic, our recipe measurements will add up to 1.8 units

*All gin nutritional information have been sourced from drinkaware.com. For more nutritional information of Fever-Tree products please refer to the product packaging.

Why I Love This Fantastic Cocktail

  • The insanely short ingredient list. I have never had the luxury of extra space and storage in any of the homes I have lived in, so knowing that I can easily store a bottle of gin away for weekends is pretty awesome.
  • However, my main love comes from the absence of added sugar. Yes, there is sugar in all gin and tonics thanks to the tonic water BUT it is pretty minimal- at least when compared to the oh so popular simple syrup. Now that I am old and I require daily naps, I simply cant party like I used to. In other words, more than one super sugary drink knocks me outfor the week.
  • Finally, the gin and tonic really are so dang easy to make. And easy-to-make alcohol containing beverages that basically make themselves are kinda my favorite.
  • If you try making your own gin & tonic, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.

    For more cocktail recipes check out,

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    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

    About This Gin And Tonic Recipe:

    HOW TO MAKE THE BEST GIN TONIC – (Gin and tonic recipe guide)

    You may be wondering what type of gin to buy. Faced with a huge array of gin at the grocery store, making a choice can be a little overwhelming.

    For a classic G & T, use a London Dry Gin, such as Tanqueray, which has a strong classic juniper berry flavor. PlymouthGin is great, too, leaning more into the florals. Or try a new wave gin, such as Hendricks, for a more spa-like flavor with cucumber.

    There are loads of other choices, especially now that local distilleries are becoming more popular. Small batch distillers may add local produce, herbs, or spices to gin for exciting flavor combinations. Many small distilleries have tasting rooms where you can try artisanal spirits before you make your purchase.

    How about tonic? Try Indian tonic water, such as Fever Tree. Its made with real sugar as opposed to corn syrup or other sweeteners, and its infused with additional botanicals. Its pretty readily available in grocery stores.

    Buy small bottles of tonic that you can use up quickly. Flat tonic that has lost its carbonation is kind of awful. Dont ruin your drink by using bad tonic.

    What type of ice is best for a G & T? Any kind of ice is fine. Make sure its fresh ice and theres lots of it. Try crushed or nugget ice for gin and tonics.

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    Where Did The Gin & Tonic Come From

    The G& T actually started its life as a medicinal cure. Back in the 1850s as the British Crown took over the governance of India, British colonial officers faced a serious threat from mosquito-borne Malaria.

    It was known that quinine a derivative of cinchona tree bark not only cured malaria, but also prevented it. The British troops were duly ordered to dose up with quinine to help fend-off the life-threatening illness.

    The prescribed quinine powder was extremely bitter, so to make it more palatable, British officials started adding it to sugar and soda to create a tonic water which some bright spark soon realised tasted even better when mixed with gin and slice of lime… and so, the G& T was born!

    Gin and tonics remained a traditional British staple throughout most of the 20th century, although by the 1980s they had gained a somewhat unfashionable and fusty image.

    Why is gin so popular now?

    Come the millennium, a whole new style of G& T hailing from Spain helped the drink reach a new generation of drinkers. The Spanish gin tonica is said to have originated in culinary capital, San Sebastian, where the local array of Michelin-starred chefs developed a penchant for mixing their after-work gin with lots of ice and tonic, in large-bowled, long-stemmed glasses, garnished with an array of botanicals.

    And there a lot of those aficionados these days in 2018, Brits purchased over 66 million bottles of gin.

    Sipsmith: Best For Gin & Tonic

    With a combination of ten botanicals and a bold and complex taste, Sipsmith is a classic near-perfect gin. Its a brand that somehow manages to remain a classic while still pioneering the craft gin movement. Sipsmith uses a single shot method of distillation, meaning that its only diluted with water, not an additional neutral spirit, and was the first to reintroduce copper stills after almost two centuries.

    Its a distillery thats far younger than its classical branding would suggest. Launching in 2009, Sipsmith has already helped to pave the way for an uncompromising good gin thats rich, smooth and balanced.

    On the nose it smells fairly similar to many other gins, but tasting it is where this spirit comes alive. While juniper is the main body of force, there are also hints of oranges and lemons, cassia ,coriander and gentle pepperiness. Mix with your favourite tonic to bring out the flavours.

    • ABV: 41.2%
    • Tasting Notes: Juniper, Lemon Peel, Coriander

    This is one of my favorite gins to sneak into peoples cocktails who say they dont like gin, says Jose Medina Camacho of Automatic Seafood & Oysters in Birmingham, Ala. Nine out of ten people love it. My favorite gin drink is a 50/50 martini. This iconic gin from southwestern England strikes the perfect balance and can be used in any classic gin cocktail.

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    What Do You Put In A Gin Bar

    Instead, choose fresh fruits and vegetables that naturally go well with gin, such as cucumber slices and citrus wedges like lime, orange, and grapefruit. We also like to include fresh herbs such as basil and rosemary sprigs, as well as a few dried star anise on the buffet table for the more adventurous guests.

    How To Make A Gin And Tonic With Lime And Mint

    Best Gin and Tonic  A Couple Cooks

    Heres what youll need: gin, tonic, lime wedges, fresh mint, and ice cubes. For the glasses, I recommend a rocks glass or high ball glass.

    For the perfect gin and tonic, start with fresh mint leaves. Add a couple of clean leaves to a glass and muddle them in the bottom.

    Then toss in two or three standard-sized ice cubes or one over-sized ice cube. Extra large ice cubes work great in this drink, because they cool quickly & melt slowly. That way your cocktail wont get diluted before you finish it.

    Add a shot of gin.

    Pour in a tonic thats sweetened with sugar, not high fructose corn syrup. There are lots of options on the market.

    Finally, finish off the drink with two wedges of lime. Squeeze both of them into the drink. Then give the rim a swipe with the fruit of the lime. That way with the first sip, you get an extra hit of lime.

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    Blackberry Gin & Tonic

    Handful of ripe blackberriesJuice of half a lime or lemon40ml gin90ml tonic

    Save a few blackberries for the garnish. Fill your drinking glass with ice. In a separate glass or cocktail shaker, muddle the remaining blackberries with the lime juice, then add more ice, the simple syrup and gin. Shake or stir using a long spoon until the ingredients are well combined and the colour and juices of the blackberries have infused the mixture.

    Strain the liquid into your drinking glass to get rid of the pips. Now add tonic and stir gently. Garnish with a few blackberries on a cocktail pick or a twist of lime peel.

    What Is The Best Tonic Water For Gin

  • Overall, Fever Tree Light Tonic Water is the best tonic water on the market.
  • Regatta Dry Citrus Sparkling Tonic is the best tonic water flavor.
  • Timberline Tonic Syrup is the best tonic syrup on the market.
  • Among the best bitter lemons, Red Bull Bitter Lemon holds the top spot.
  • East End Tonic is the best zero-calorie tonic available.
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    What Type Of Glass Is Best For G& ts

    Itâs important to use the right glass when making a G& T. Contrary to some trends to use a traditional highball glass, the best glass to use for a gin and tonic is one with a wide opening to really enhance the fragrance of the botanicals. A red wine glass works great, as well as a beer goblet, or traditional Spanish âCopa de Balonâ glass. This type of glass truly enhances the scent of the gin botanicals and garnish as you drink it.

    Can I Make Tonic Water At Home

    HOW TO MAKE THE BEST GIN AND TONIC! (MY OWN FAVORITE)

    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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    Choosing A Tonic Water For Your G& t

    Three quarters of the perfect gin and tonic is a sparkling soft drink which contains quinine, citric acid and sugar.

    In the 1870s, Schweppes, well-known for their carbonated water, launched their first tonic water. Over a century later, in 2005, Fever-Tree set-up their stall in London with their Premium Indian Tonic Water. Since then, a selection of boutique, artisan tonic brands have arrived on the scene driving innovation and choice. There are now flavoured tonic waters, with varying quinine levels and sugar sources available.

    To mix a good gin and tonic, dont cut any corners. Choose a tonic which is made with real ingredients, no artificial flavours, high fructose corn syrup or saccharin!

    Our perfect gin and tonic recipe uses the Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic. This tonic is low on quinine and the addition of rosemary and lemon thyme provide a much lighter, more fragrant tonic than the average.

    Whats The Best Tonic To Use For Gin And Tonics

    I prefer the tonic water sold in the smaller, single-serving bottles. The tonic will be fresh and you wont lose any fizz. A lot of people swear by Schweppes, but we cant say we have noticed a difference enough to specify on that one. We particularly enjoy the Fever Tree and Q tonics.

    For a lower calorie cocktail, you can use light tonic. Light tonic doesnt have as much flavor as regular, but it does help to lower the calories. You can also water regular tonic down with a little seltzer water or club soda.

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    Add In Something Extra

    A G& T doesnt just have to contain gin and tonic water. Vermouths, dry sherries, amaros and bitters can all play well in a Gin & Tonic. Here are some examples:Serve in: Collins glassGarnish:Lime wedge and fresh ginger sliceHow to make: POUR gin and bitters into an ice-filled glass. TOP with tonic water and briefly stir. 60ml Fords Gin

    60ml Fentimans Indian Tonic Water60ml Brut Champagne

    Gin And Tonic Glassware Options

    How to Make the Perfect Gin and Tonic

    Glassware for a G& T is all about personal preference. A classic presentation is in a tall Collins glass, or a stout double rocks glass. More modern options are a large balloon glass or perhaps a stemless wine glass.

    Theres no right or wrong here, but different glass shapes will affect the drinking experience. A rounded, balloon glass will funnel the aromatics of the gin to your nose, which can make for a more flavorful drink. Large balloon glasses are also excellent for garnishing with a variety of botanicals to further emphasize the flavors and aromas of the gin.

    A tall and narrow highball glass will preserve more of the carbonation, keeping your drink more effervescent for longer. Try a couple of different glasses with your favorite gin and see which works best for you.

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    Elderflower And Lemon Gin & Tonic

    A good squeeze of lemon juice20ml elderflower liqueur 50ml gin110ml tonic

    Add all your ingredients into a glass over lots of ice and stir gently until chilled and combined. Elderflower tonic, lemonade or prosecco work well as alternatives to tonic water here! Garnish with a sprig of elderflowers or a slice of lemon.

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