Gin and Tonic Cocktail – A Beautiful Mess

How to make a perfect Gin and Tonic cocktail. G&Ts are made with gin, tonic water and limes. This simple cocktail relies on good proportions to achieve balance. This drink is perfectly balanced and tastes like a combination of sweet, sour, bitter and herbal with a nice sparkling finish.

In this post, we will teach you the best ratio for Gin and Tonic as well as variations to have fun with.

More cocktail recipes: Negroni, Mojito, Margarita, Ranch Water, Tom Collins.

Ingredients in a Gin and Tonic

• London Dry Gin – Choose a quality, mid-priced gin.
• Tonic Water – I love Fever-Tree tonic water.
• Limes – Use lime slices or a lime wedge to garnish your cocktail.

The best glassware choice for a classic Gin and Tonic is a highball glass.

Ratio of Gin to Tonic

This recipe has a ratio of 1:2. For 2 ounces of gin, you will use 4 ounces of tonic water. This is a strong Gin and Tonic, so if you prefer your drink stiff use this ratio. 

To create a more mild version, use a 1:3 ratio. For 2 ounces of gin, add 5-6 ounces of tonic water.

Best gin for a G&T

The truth is just about any gin will do the job. I like to rely on mid-priced gins like Tanqueray, Beefeater or Hendrick’s Gin. These are all quality brands that are affordable and easy to find.

Directions

• Step 1: Fill a glass with ice and add gin.
• Step 2: Fill the glass to the top with tonic water. Stir gently.
• Step 3: Add a garnish of lime slices, a lime wedge or a seasonal garnish.

Variation Ideas

• Lemons – If you don’t love limes, try lemons in your next Gin and Tonic. Some other fun variations to try are thyme, orange, grapefruit, mint leave and cucumbers. 
• Sweeter G&T – If you a want a sweeter cocktail, add an ounce of simple syrup (or to taste). I like to serve with a sprig of rosemary as garnish. 
• Add Lime Juice – For my taste, almost any cocktail can be improved by adding fresh lime juice. I love adding lime juice (along with lime slices) to my G&T. 
• Strawberry G&T – Muddle fresh strawberries with lime in the bottom of a glass before preparing an otherwise traditional Gin and Tonic to make a Strawberry Gin and Tonic. 
• Peppercorns – A couple of pink peppercorns make the most beautiful garnish. 
• Citrus G&T – Add lime, lemon and orange slices to your drink for additional citrus flavors.

Tips for Making

• Garnish ideas for a Gin & Tonic: A classic G&T is typically garnished with lime slices. I like to layer them with ice throughout the drink. 
• Chill the glass before serving. Bartenders recommend making a Gin and Tonic as cold as possible when serving.

Frequently Asked Questions