The gin and tonic is a simple classic that highlights the botanicals of the gin and the bitterness and effervescence of the tonic. Below you will find easy recipes, non-alcoholic options, pink variants, types of G&T, and spice pairings to experiment with at home.
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1. Popular Gin and Tonic Recipes
Basic Recipes and Variations
Classic Gin and Tonic:
- Highball glass full of ice
- 50 ml gin
- 120-150 ml quality tonic
- Garnish: lime wedge or long lemon peel
- Pour the gin over ice, add the tonic, stir gently once
Mediterranean G&T:
- 50 ml floral or herbal gin
- 120 ml tonic
- Garnish: sprig of rosemary and slice of grapefruit
Pink Gin and Tonic:
- Use a gin with rose or berry notes
- 120 ml tonic
- A few drops of rose water (optional) or crushed raspberries
- Garnish: edible rose petals or lemon twist
Advanced Recipes
Spiced Gin and Tonic: 50 ml spiced gin + 150 ml tonic + cardamom, star anise + orange peel.
Cucumber Gin and Tonic: 50 ml Hendrick's gin + 150 ml tonic + cucumber slices. Refreshing and delicate.
Tropical Gin and Tonic: 50 ml gin with tropical notes + 150 ml tonic + pineapple, mango, passion fruit. Perfect for summer.
2. How to Prepare a Non-Alcoholic Gin and Tonic
Non-alcoholic G&Ts (NA) are perfect if you want the flavor without the alcohol:
- Fill a glass with plenty of ice
- Add a non-alcoholic gin alternative or a juniper botanical syrup (25-40 ml)
- Top with premium tonic (120-150 ml)
- Add a splash of fresh lime and a few drops of non-alcoholic bitters
- Garnish with cucumber, lime, or a sprig of thyme
Recommended non-alcoholic gins: Seedlip Garden 108, Seedlip Spice 94, Ceder's Crisp, Lyre's Dry London Spirit.
3. What is a Pink Gin and Tonic?
A pink gin and tonic focuses on floral or berry elements: pink gin (often infused with bitters, berries, or botanicals), rosé tonic, or rose or raspberry water. The result is a visually attractive G&T with softer notes of citrus and flowers — perfect for summer or aperitif moments.
How to prepare it: pink gin or gin + rose syrup + pink or classic tonic + garnishes: pink grapefruit, rose petals, strawberries, raspberries.
Recommended pink gins: Gordon's Pink Gin, Beefeater Pink, Malfy Rosa, craft gins with rose.
4. Types of Gin and Tonic
London Dry: Classic, driven by juniper and crisp. Great with clean Indian tonic and lime. Examples: Tanqueray, Beefeater, Bombay Sapphire.
Contemporary/Modern: Floral gins or those with citrus in the forefront. Pair well with lighter tonics. Examples: Hendrick's, Monkey 47, Gin Mare.
Old Tom: Slightly sweeter. Works well with tonic and citrus for a rounder cocktail.
Navy Strength: High proof (57% ABV or more) for bolder cocktails. Slightly reduce tonic to maintain balance.
Types of tonic: Classic Indian (bitter, traditional) — Mediterranean (more herbal) — Light (less sugar) — Premium botanical (complex aromas) — Flavored (citrus, cucumber, elderflower).
5. Spices and Botanicals That Work Well
Classic: Juniper + grapefruit or lime — Lemon + juniper berries.
Spiced: Cardamom + orange peel — Pink pepper + lemon — Star anise or cinnamon for autumn/winter variations.
Floral: Rose petals or rose water — Lavender + lemon — Elderflower + grapefruit.
Herbaceous: Rosemary, thyme, basil — Mint + lime — Sage + orange.
6. Serving Tips
Ice: Use plenty of large cubes to keep the drink cold without diluting too quickly. Fill the glass completely.
Glasses: Copa or balloon glass (Spanish) to enhance aromas — Highball for the classic — Low and wide tumbler.
Tonic ratio: Classic 1:3 (50ml gin, 150ml tonic) — Strong 1:2 — Light 1:4.
Garnish: Use an aromatic element that complements the gin’s botanicals. Don’t overdo it (maximum 2-3 elements). Express the oils from the peels.
7. Temperature and Freshness
Store gin in the freezer (it doesn’t freeze), tonic in the fridge, and chill the glass before use. Always use freshly opened tonic — it loses fizz quickly. Prefer small bottles.
Food Pairings
Appetizers: Olives, peanuts, chips, canapés.
Dishes: Raw fish, sushi, salads, fresh cheeses, seafood.
Conclusion
With a few simple ingredients and an eye for garnish, you can create variations from classic to floral, spiced, or non-alcoholic. Experiment with botanicals and tonic types to find your perfect G&T.
Key points: Basic recipe 50ml gin + 150ml tonic — Plenty of quality ice — Types of gin: London Dry, Contemporary, Old Tom, Navy Strength — Variants: classic, pink, Mediterranean, spiced, non-alcoholic — Glass: copa or highball — Essential cold ingredients.
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