Classic Gin and Tonic Recipe

The Gin and Tonic is a timeless and incredibly refreshing cocktail that's also wonderfully easy to make (Gin and tonic recipe easy).

Yields: 1 cocktail
Prep time: 2 minutes

Gin and Tonic Ingredients: 

• 60 ml (2 oz) gin (London Dry style is often preferred) (Gin and tonic recipe ml)
• 120 ml (4 oz) chilled Tonic Water
• Lime wedge or wheel (traditionally lime, but lemon is also used - Gin and tonic lemon or lime)
• Ice cubes

Tools:

• Highball glass or large wine glass
• Jigger (for measuring, optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Fill Glass with Ice

Fill your highball glass or large wine glass completely with ice cubes. The more ice, the colder the drink and the less dilution as it melts slowly.

Step 2: Add Gin

Pour the gin over the ice. A standard Gin and tonic ratio is often 1 part gin to 2 or 3 parts tonic water. Using 60 ml of gin is a common single serving.

Step 3: Top with Tonic Water

Slowly pour chilled tonic water over the gin and ice. The ratio can be adjusted to your preference; some prefer a stronger gin flavor, while others like it more diluted.

Step 4: Gently Stir

Use a bar spoon or simply swirl the glass gently to combine the gin and tonic. Avoid vigorous stirring to preserve the carbonation of the tonic water.

Step 5: Garnish

Squeeze the juice of a lime wedge (or lemon wedge if preferred) into the drink and then drop the wedge into the glass. You can also use a lime wheel or simply place the wedge on the rim. Enjoy your classic and refreshing Gin and Tonic!

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Answering Your Questions:

What is the mix for gin and tonic?

The basic mix for gin and tonic is simply gin and tonic water. The ratio can vary, but a common starting point is 1 part gin to 2 or 3 parts tonic water.

How to make a perfect gin tonic?

To make a perfect gin tonic, consider these tips:

• Use Quality Gin: The flavor of the gin is crucial. Choose a gin you enjoy. London Dry styles with prominent juniper notes often work well.
• Good Tonic Water: The quality of your tonic water also matters significantly. Premium tonic waters can have a more nuanced flavor and better carbonation. Keep it well-chilled.
• Plenty of Ice: Fill the glass completely with ice to keep the drink cold and minimize dilution.
• Proper Ratio: Experiment to find your preferred Gin and tonic ratio. Start with 1:2 or 1:3 and adjust to taste.
• Fresh Garnish: Use freshly cut lime (or lemon) wedges. Squeeze the juice over the drink and then drop it in.
• Don't Over Stir: Stir gently just enough to combine the ingredients. Too much stirring will flatten the tonic water.
• Consider Your Glassware: A tall highball glass or a large wine glass filled with ice works well.

How to make gin?

How to make gin is a complex process that typically involves:

1. Creating a neutral spirit: This is usually done by fermenting and distilling grains (like wheat, barley, or rye).
2. Flavoring with botanicals: The neutral spirit is then redistilled with various botanicals, with juniper berries being the defining ingredient (by law, gin must have a predominant juniper flavor). Other common botanicals include coriander seed, angelica root, orris root, citrus peels, and various herbs and spices.
3. Steeping or vapor infusion: Botanicals can be steeped in the spirit before distillation or placed in a basket above the spirit, allowing their vapor to infuse the alcohol during distillation.
4. Dilution and bottling: After distillation, the gin is typically diluted with water to the desired alcohol content (ABV) before being bottled.

Making gin from scratch is generally not a home project due to the distillation process and legal regulations.

What makes gin and tonic so good?

The appeal of the gin and tonic lies in its:

• Simplicity: It has just two main ingredients (plus garnish), making it quick and easy to prepare.
• Refreshment: The combination of cold tonic water and ice is incredibly thirst-quenching, especially in warm weather.
• Balanced Flavors: The botanical complexity and often dry character of gin pair well with the bittersweet and bubbly tonic water. The lime (or lemon) adds a bright, citrusy note.
• Customizability: There are countless gin and tonic variations depending on the type of gin used and the garnish. Different gins have unique botanical profiles that interact differently with tonic water.
• History: It has a long and interesting history, originally created as a way for British soldiers in tropical climates to take quinine (found in tonic water) to prevent malaria. Gin was added to make the bitter tonic more palatable.