Name: How to make the perfect Gin and Tonic
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 min
Total time: 6 min
Yield: 1
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

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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

A 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.

The 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.

4.5 from 2 votes

How to make the perfect Gin and Tonic

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

1 min

Total Time

6 mins

The perfect gin and tonic needs to be cold, but too much ice dilutes the drink. So keep your gin in the freezer!

Course: Alcoholic Drinks, Drinks

Cuisine: British

Keyword: Gin and tonic

Servings: 1

Calories: 145 kcal

Author: Helen Best-Shaw

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.

Nutrition Facts

How to make the perfect Gin and Tonic

Amount Per Serving

Calories 145

% Daily Value*

Sodium 2mg 0%

Total Carbohydrates 6g 2%

Sugars 4g

Vitamin C 9.3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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