Gin And Tonic Recipe - The Spruce Eats

• Tonic water provides a unique, slightly bitter flavor and mild sweetness to balance your gin.
• Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray offer botanicals that shine in this classic mixed cocktail.
• A lime wedge adds a bright citrus aroma and finishes the drink with a fresh twist.

Classic and easy, the Gin and Tonic (or G&T) is light and refreshing. This simple mixed drink requires just two ingredients, "gin and tonic water" plus a hint of lime for added freshness, all of which are natural flavor companions. It's a wonderful choice for happy hour, dinner, or anytime you’re craving an invigorating beverage.

What Kind of Gin Should I Use?

The best Gin and Tonic cocktails are made with good gin, especially those with a slight citrus flavor and a great blend of botanicals. Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray are two brands that will always be G&T favorites. If you don't want to invest much in a bottle of gin, fret not! This G&T also stands up to many of the less expensive gins, which is why it's an excellent cocktail to turn to when you want to save a little money. 

Tonic Water Explained

Tonic water is a carbonated soft drink that contains quinine, giving it a slightly bitter taste. Historically, tonic water was used to aid digestion or stimulate an appetite. Nutritionally, it doesn't offer much value. While it generally includes sugar or another sweetener—though not as much as other soft drinks—the amount varies by brand, influencing the calorie count.

Explore some of the great tonic waters that have sprung up on the market thanks to this drink's resurgence in popularity. Q Drinks and Fever-Tree are two soda brands worth checking out because they were designed specifically for mixed drinks like this.

Is it Safe to Drink Tonic Water Daily?

It's generally harmless for most people to drink tonic water in moderation. Quinine, the alkaloid derived from cinchona bark, can lead to quinine toxicity (cinchonism) in high doses. This is most often a concern in medication form or for people with certain medical conditions, and it can interact with some medications. To ensure the tonic water sold in the U.S. is safe, the FDA limits how much quinine can be present in tonic water.

Can I Make Tonic Water at Home?

Many types of soda are fun to make at home. However, tonic water is one that should always be purchased from a reputable manufacturer. Because of the serious side effects of cinchonism, it can be harmful to make your own tonic syrup from cinchona bark, as controlling the quinine content is difficult. It's generally safe to buy premade tonic syrup if you adhere to the company's recommended dilution to make tonic water.. As an alternative, you can make quinine-free tonic syrup at home.

Tips for the Most Refreshing Gin and Tonic

• A lime wedge—Is almost always served with Gin and Tonic, and it's a fantastic way to add a hint of citrus. Get the most out of it by running the wedge around the rim of the glass, squeeze the juice into the drink, and then drop the wedge in.
• Even more flavor—To add even more lime flavor, squeeze in the juice from a second wedge or add a splash of lime cordial before topping it with tonic.
• Choice of gin—There is a fantastic array of gins to choose from today. Your gin and tonic can become an entirely new experience with each gin you pour.
• Fresh advice—For the best experience, use freshly opened bottles of well-chilled tonic.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE THIS GIN AND TONIC A Great Ice Cube Tray A Good Gin The Perfect Stirrer

Never Lose a Recipe Again!

Love a Spruce Eats recipe? With MyRecipes, your personal home for recipes, easily save and organize your favorites, plus thousands more, in one convenient place.