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You are here: Home / Recipes / Top Tips for the perfect Gin and Tonic

Top Tips for the perfect Gin and Tonic

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Published on April 20, 2017 by Helen Best-Shaw 38 Comments
Last Updated on December 4, 2018

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Unwind and enjoy the classic combination of juniper and citrus in a long, cool, perfect gin and tonic – learn how I make my perfect version 

Tall and ice cold make for the perfect gin and tonicA gin and tonic is such a simple, but classic drink. But there is a great difference between the perfect gin and tonic: long, cold, and tasting of juniper, spices and citrus, and a poor effort with poor quality ingredients diluted to nothing with too much ice.

The history of the drink is well known. It was discovered in India that quinine could both prevent and cure malaria, and to remove the bitter taste gin, sugar and lemon juice were added to the daily ration. What started out as a medical necessity has ended up as one of the world’s favourite drinks.

But a little care can make a big difference when mixing the perfect gin and tonic. The first requirement is for the best ingredients. There are so many different craft gins around now that just choosing one can make your head spin, so why not start with a classic like Gordon’s? An equally important decision revolves around the tonic. Good tonic – the major component of the drink – makes a huge difference, and there are now many premium quality ones available. We also tend to buy tonic in small bottles or cans, so that it’s always at its fizziest.

There are, of course, many other classic cocktails as well as gin and tonic. For recipes for cosmopolitans, mojito, margaritas, strawberry daiquiris and more, visit thebar.com.

The second requirement is that the drink be cold. To help with this, we keep everything we can in the freezer, and that which can’t (the tonic) goes in the fridge. The freezing point of gin is well below the temperature of a household freezer; it’s just a little more viscous, that’s all. We freeze glasses and slices of lemon and lime as well. Freeze the sliced fruit on a silicone mat and they won’t stick. Once frozen, decant them into a sealed pot to protect them from freezer burn.

Frozen lemon and lime are great garnish in the perfect gin and tonicThe traditional glass is a highball: tall and straight sided. Pour one or two measures of gin, dilute to taste with tonic (we find the 1:3 ratio is ideal), add a slice of lemon and/or lime as you wish, and one or two ice cubes to keep it all cold. With everything starting off at the proper temperature, the ice won’t melt immediately diluting the drink, giving you a chance to enjoy it as it’s supposed to be: properly cold.

Ice cold gin, for the perfect gin and tonic

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Tall and ice cold make for the perfect gin and tonic
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Everything You Need To Know

  • How to make the perfect Gin and Tonic
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
  • Six twists on the classic Gin & Tonic

How to make the perfect Gin and Tonic

The perfect gin and tonic needs to be cold, but too much ice dilutes the drink. So keep your gin in the freezer!
Servings: 1
Author: Helen Best-Shaw
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time1 min
Total Time6 mins
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Ingredients

  • 50 ml Gordon's Gin ((from the freezer))
  • 150 ml Good quality tonic water ((well chilled - I use a naurally light NEVER diet)))
  • 1 slice lemon ((frozen))
  • 1 slice lime ((frozen))
  • 2 cubes ice

Instructions

  • Place 2 ice cubes into a highball glass. Pour Gordon's London Dry Gin, tonic water and frozen lemon and lime slices. 
• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.
Nutrition Facts
How to make the perfect Gin and Tonic
Amount Per Serving
Calories 145
% Daily Value*
Sodium 2mg0%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Sugar 4g4%
Vitamin C 7.7mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Alcoholic Drinks, Drinks
Cuisine: British
Keyword: Gin and tonic
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Six twists on the classic Gin & Tonic

  • Try adding different flavours: for the right gin a cinnamon stick and a slice of orange, for example, is a tasty and interesting change from lemon or lime
  • Add a sprig of fresh leafy herbs – coriander or basil are both delicious and work with either lemon, lime or both
  • Make your own infused gin, like this cranberry gin and tonic
  • Replacing fruit with a slice of cucumber is a well known option, but go one set further with a little pureed cucumber itself, as in this recipe
  • This strawberry mint gin & tonic sounds delicious
  • Add sweet vermouth and Campari for this Italian gin and tonic
  • For the ultimate fan of the perfect gin and tonic: make your own tonic water which is sure to impress

If you fancy a twist on a classic gin and tonic can we recommend,

A strawberry gin with black pepper, also delicious with tonic

And angled view of two glasses of black pepper and strawberry gin, arranged obliquely on square hessian coasters, with the forward glass in the centre of the picture. On the table are more strawberries, basil leaves, and peppercorns, and a wooden chopping board.

or a delicious rhubarb and ginger gin

The perfect home made cocktail base - rhubarb and ginger infused gin

 

This Classic Perfect Gin & Tonic recipe is sponsored by thebar.com. All opinions are our own.

Fuss Free Flavours encourages you to drink mindfully.  For advice on sensible drinking visit Drinkaware

 

Tall and ice cold make for the perfect gin and tonic

 

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Filed Under: Drinks, Recipes, Sponsored Ingredients: Gin, Lemon, Lime, Tonic

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Talya

    Ahhh it’s coming up to 5pm on a Friday and could really do with a perfect refreshing G & T fancy popping over to mine to make one lol?!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Absolutely. I just popped some tonic in the fridge!

      Reply
  2. five little doves

    Ooh great tips!! I could just do with a gin and tonic after a stressful week, I’ll be following these tips over the weekend!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Nice to be able to enjoy a decent drink come the weekend.

      Reply
  3. Rachel @ Coffee, Cake, Kids

    I’ve never really thought about it – just glugged in some gin and tonic, but I’m going to have a go at doing it properly – it deserves to be done properly!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Little improvements can make all the difference, and the drink becomes more enjoyable.

      Reply
  4. Sophie's Nursery

    I really like your ideas for a twist on the classic G&T – would love to try these :) x

    Reply
    • Helen

      Most enjoyable when you get things just right.

      Reply
  5. Kara

    Never thought about freezing lemons and limes before – thanks for the tip

    Reply
    • Helen

      It is a useful tip for adding to drinks to make them just right.

      Reply
  6. Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs

    Sounds refreshing! I am more of a Vodka girl, but my cousin would be all over this :)

    Reply
    • Helen

      The same tips could of course be used for serving the perfect vodka and tonic.

      Reply
  7. Evelina

    I am not a big fan of gin but after reading your post I would absolutely love to have one.

    Reply
    • Helen

      I find that there is a big difference to how a gin and tonic tastes with how it is served. Served this way, you may change your mind.

      Reply
  8. Musings of a tired mummy...zzz...

    I’ve never had gin (except maybe as part of a cocktail) so maybe I’ll take your advice and let you know how I get on ;)

    Reply
    • Helen

      It is a lovely refreshing drink when served in this manner, so perhaps worth trying out.

      Reply
  9. Baby Isabella

    4 stars
    Great tips! We’d never had thought to freeze the sliced fruit on a silicone mat! Can’t wait until we can sit out in the garden with a G&T xx

    Reply
    • Helen

      Freezing the fruit just makes that little bit of difference to the temperature, and improves the quality.

      Reply
  10. Helene D'Souza

    So I heard Gin is the next big thing. Yet, to my own shame, I still didn’t get to taste it. O.O
    I have to catch up. In fact my husband wanted to star brewing something like schnapps, vodka or maybe even gin. He loves Gin! Thanks fro sharing these tips Helene, saving this for my hubby. :)

    Reply
    • Helen

      Give it a go Helene, it is a lovely refreshing drink, particularly on a warm summer evening.

      Reply
  11. Cricket Plunkett

    5 stars
    Freezing the citrus is such a clever idea, I’m going to have to try this!

    Reply
    • Helen

      It does really help adding more cold to the drink, and keeping it refreshing.

      Reply
  12. Jenni

    Gin is like the drink of the moment isn’t it?! This looks delightful, a far cry from the reputation of mothers ruin

    Reply
    • Helen

      I fear Mother’s Ruin is more of a slug of gin , topped up with tonic. With a little tweak, it becomes something much more and certainly something to enjoy.

      Reply
  13. kavey

    Freezing the lime or lemon is a great tip, we often have some in the freezer as if we don’t use a whole lemon up in a recipe it can get wasted. Good way to use it!

    Reply
    • Helen

      I hate throwing away half a lemon or lime if it hasn’t been used, so freezing them is indeed a great way of less waste.

      Reply
  14. Platter Talk

    5 stars
    Delicious G&T with the twists! It’s AM but I’m waiting for 5PM somewhere!

    Reply
    • Helen

      5pm, gin time! On some days anyway.

      Reply
  15. Dannii

    I am currently enjoying a gin and tonic as I type. Good quality gin and tonic too is so important.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Absolutely Dannii, the key ingredients make all the difference with the quality.

      Reply
  16. Kerry norris

    I love gin and tonic. Can you believe that I’ve never thought to put everything in the freezer x

    Reply
    • Helen

      Having everything nice and chilled helps hugely with the quality and enjoyment of the drink.

      Reply
  17. Ana De- Jesus

    Its like making a mojito, good quality ingredients really make the drink. Never tried making a G&T though, that would be fun x

    Reply
    • Helen

      With any recipe, quality is often most important for taste. You should give the G&T a go, I’m sure you’d enjoy.

      Reply
  18. Stephanie

    I can see this post being very popular!! I am off to pin, as I think my readers will love it

    Reply
    • Helen

      So many of us like a decent G&T, sometimes a little advice makes for a nice surprise improvement.

      Reply
  19. Mummy Gummie

    I love a gin and tonic!! Great tip about freezing slices of fruit on a silicone mat too!

    Reply
    • Helen

      I’ve been freezing lemon and lime slices for years. Perfect for drinks, and also for using up that half lemon in the fridge.

      Reply

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