Non & Tonic Nonalcoholic Gin And Tonic Recipe
For days when you want to skip the alcohol but still enjoy the flavour, there are dozens of options for non-alcoholic spirits on the market these days.
- 2 oz Lumette!
- 4 oz chilled craft tonic water
- 1 lemon wedge*
Method: Use the classic method for this, but garnish with a cucumber ribbon, in addition to the lemon.
Non-alcoholic spirits: Since Canadian-made Lumette! is an Alt-Gin made in a London Dry style, the classic formula works well here. Its widely available across Canada but, if you cant find it, try HP Juniper Classic Non-Alcoholic Gin or Ceders Crisp, an import weve come to appreciate.
How To Make The Best Gin And Tonic
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.
Tonic Water Vs Tonic Syrup
Now that youve got your quality gin, its time to pick a quality tonic water or syrup.
Although the soda aisle in the local grocery store has plenty of tonic water made by big soda companies, these tend to be overly sweet, have an artificial taste, or a combination of the two.
In fact, I hated Gin and Tonics as a twenty-something until I was finally introduced to the high end tonic waters from Fever-Tree and Q Mixers. In addition to these well known craft brands, other high quality tonic waters are made by Fentimans, Regatta, and others.
Tonic syrup is a concentrate that you can mix with carbonated water to make your own tonic water. Tonic syrups can be much more economical because a small bottle of relatively inexpensive syrup can make many glasses of tonic. Also, using a syrup allows you to decide how strong or weak your tonic tastes.
There are a number of tonic syrups available in stores or on Amazon, and you can even make your own pretty easily with cinchona bark! Try the tonic syrups from Liber & Co, Jack Rudy Cocktail Co, or the craft syrups from Free Pour Jennys.
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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.
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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Classic Gin And Tonic Recipe
Two parts tonic to one part gin is a classic formula thats easy to follow, easy to remember and will never let you down.
- 2 oz Georgian Bay Gin
- 4 oz chilled tonic water
- 1 lemon wedge*
Method: Add ice to a rocks glass and pour in two ounces of gin. Take the tonic water out of the fridge and slowly pour it into the glass. Stir it once and garnish with a lemon, spritzing a little juice in before you drink it.
*The lemon and lime debate rages on, even though its more common to see limes these days, especially in North America. Lemon boosters say limes are too sweet and bully the gin. The lime camp says, simply, they like the way lime tastes better. Fair enough. We invite readers to try them side by side to see if they agree that lemon allows a classic dry gins spicy juniper and citrus to shine through.
Choose Your Tonic Wisely
Hands up those of us who used to think they disliked gin, when actually what you didnt like was the cheap tonic water that was in your first experience of a G& T?! Yep, us too!
It really is worth investing in a high quality tonic – like those youll find in our Gin of the Month boxes – to make the most of your beautiful gin.
Top tip:To choose a tonic for your gin, look at the botanicals in your gin. Find a tonic water whose flavours will complement or enhance the natural flavours of your gin, the same way you would if you were cooking!
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Gin And Tonic Glassware Options
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.
The Best Gins For G& ts
With the incredible number of gins on the market today, the possibilities are virtually endless. And unlike some gin cocktails, just about any gin can work in a Gin and Tonic. If you enjoy the flavor of the gin, it can work.
When selecting a gin, pick one that has a flavor profile you enjoy, and one that is unadulterated. This means skip sweetened gin products, like most pink gins. Keep things simple and go with a clean-tasting, bright, crisp gin.
For a classic take on the Gin and Tonic, choose a London dry gin. I recommend Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater, or Sipsmith.
If youre a fan of modern, new wave gins, go ahead and experiment with something like Malfy Con Limone, Barr Hill, FEW Breakfast Gin, Hendricks, Gin Mare, Citadelle, Uncle Vals Botanical, or Nolets!
Some gin fan favorites include Plymouth, Monkey 47, The Botanist, and Empress 1908.
- Top pick for classic flavor and budget price point:Bombay Sapphire.
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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 .
What Are The Best Ingredients For A Gin And Tonic
First off, theres the gin. London dry gin is the go-to style for a gin and tonic. Despite its name, London dry can come from anywhere in the world. While the exact flavors vary slightly, you can expect your classic London dry to have juniper, coriander and citrus notes. Its clean and brightexactly what you want in a gin and tonic. Beefeater, Plymouth and Bombay Sapphire are three common brands.
You can also opt for pink gin to make your G& T. Pink gin is fruitier thanks to the addition of red fruits like strawberry, raspberry and currants. If you love juicy fruit flavors, swap pink gin for London dry. Look for pink gin from Beefeater, Gordons and others.
Oh, and your options dont stop with the gin. There are a few other easy ways to put a spin on a gin and tonic. The simplest personal touch you can add is the garnish. The classic G& T calls for a wedge of fresh lime, but you can use a few cucumber slices, a mix of grapefruit and orange slices, summer berries or fresh herbs from your garden.
You can also pick up a bottle of flavored tonic water to introduce another layer of flavor to your cocktail.
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How Did The Gin And Tonics Ingredients Come Together
We all have a blurry past, and the mighty gin and tonic is no exception. The gin and tonic story began in South America with the roots of a tree known as the Cinchona tree.
The quinine extracted from the Cinchona bark is used to flavour tonics, bitters and aromatised wines. Not only does it deliver exceptional flavour, the bark was used as a medicine by Andean tribes to treat fevers, heart problems and malaria. In World War II, soldiers consumed quinine to fight off the threat of malaria.
Not everyone was a fan of the bitter taste and British colonists discovered that adding a splash of gin dramatically improved the taste of the remedy. Hooray, the gin and tonic recipe was born!
Gin And Tonic History
This is actually quite interesting
The Gin and Tonic was brought to India by the British East India Company in the early 19th century. Due to the tropical climate faced by India and the surrounding regions, malaria became a revolving issue for all who lived there. When it was discovered in the 1700s that quinine could be used to prevent the disease, people began to drink it in tonic water. Quinine, however, has a very bitter taste.
Fast-forward to the early 19th centurysoldiers thought to add a combination of water, sugar, lime, andGINto the Quinine to make it more tolerable. It was then that the gin and tonic came to be.
Thank you, malaria
just kidding. malaria is awful, horrible, miserable.
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The Great Garnish Debate
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 flavor, offers a boldness that lemon cant match. However, many purists argue that the lemon is the only choice: as a more delicate fruit, it is less likely to overwhelm the bounty of a gins botanicals. Either way, Max Venning from Three Sheets advises bartenders to use a light hand: Theres no need to squeeze the citrus over the drink. If youre using a quality gin like Sipsmith, theres no harshness that needs covering up.
No matter which citrus fruit you select as your perfect G& T garnish, theres no need to squeeze before placing into your glass.
Others move further away from lemons and limes. Julia Forte from the London Gin Club advises: Match your garnish to the specific or highlighting botanicals in the gin. Lime, rhubarb, or an olive work well with dry gins, while grapefruit, citrus peel, cucumber, and rose petals work with floral gins. For a savory gin, try rosemary, thyme, or basil with a cherry tomato. Find fifteen of our more unusual G& T garnishes here.
Tips And Tricks For Making The Best Gin And Tonic
The honest truth here is that if you are a person who absolutely hates gin, then you may never really come to enjoy a good g& t- and thats ok. But, dont rule it out until youve tried these simple tips!
TIP- If you are more of a vodka person, follow these simple tips, simply swap the gin for vodka.
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Tip : Pour Your Tonic Carefully
The slower you pour your tonic, the more bubbles you retain, making your G& T experience far more delightfully crisper and refreshing.
A pro-pouring tip from Three Cents is to aim for the gaps between the glass and the ice!
There you have it, three top tips for getting the most out of your gin and tonics.
All thats left is for you to try them out and we know just the recipe: Craft Gin Clubs June 2022 Perfect G& T! It pairs Three Cents Tonic with Astraea Spirits Meadow Gin and a gorgeous garnish duo of grapefruit slices and allspice.
Find out how to make this amazing gin and tonic here!
Choose The Right Glass
With any drink, it is a matter of personal taste, but when it comes to choosing the glass for your Gin and Tonic, it is between a traditional highball or increasingly popular balloon glass both of which allow plenty of room for the botanicals to swirl and dance alongside the ice and chilled, carbonated tonic.
We opt for the ‘Copa de Balon’ with roots in the bars, restaurants and kitchens of Spain, it’s unique shape is designed to enhance the aroma of your drink and the wide bowl shape allows you to add plenty of ice and garnish just how we like it.
For an extra special touch of frosty refreshment, chill your glass in the fridge or freezer shortly before pouring.
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Getting To Know Simon Ford
T: Perfect. Well, Simon, it has been so much fun chatting about all things history and gin two of my favorite subjects and just the Gin & Tonic in general. How about we finish the show with our standard five style questions? Are you ready for it?
S: Yes.
T: How are you feeling?
S: Yeah, Im going. Im going to see if I can come up with the answers as we go.
T: Amazing. So question No. 1: This is probably by now somewhat theoretical, but what style or category of spirit would typically enjoy the most real estate on a professional back bar for you?
S: It would probably be whiskey, just because there are so many different styles. Scotch, bourbon, rye. Certainly my home bar has more whiskey than it does gin. But obviously, I created gin that I like myself. Believe it or not, I do have quite a considerable amount of gin because a gin lover wont just like one gin, you know? And I am a gin lover, bonafide. So I would say that probably the second most real estate goes to gin. I guess they dont categorize this as spirits, but the vermouths, different liquors, bitters, and the things that work with your gin and whiskey. I think thats where the real estate really goes for me.
T: Amazing. I love that. Second question: Which ingredient or tool is the most undervalued in a bartenders arsenal?
T: Or putting it in the shoe and banging on the wall? No one wants to see that in a bar on a Friday night.
S: Not with a Château Lafite 1966.
S: And put the vermouth in the fridge.