Gin Tonic

The Gin Tonic is a refreshing mix of gin and tonic that you can take in any direction. It’s fun to experiment with flavors!

The versatility of Gin and Tonic

The world-famous combination of Gin and Tonic (G&T or GT) has traditionally been popular in England and Spain. Over the past few years, the G&T trend has blown over to our country. You can find it on almost every menu of any self-respecting hospitality establishment in a more prominent place. This refreshing drink is not difficult to make and you can easily make it at home if you know the right proportions and ingredients.

The popularity of this refreshing drink with gin and tonic is thanks to its appearance and versatility. You can take it in any direction! Think of citrus flavors, peppercorns, cucumber, cinnamon, star anise, frozen fruit, and many more creative G&T combinations.

How much gin goes into a Gin Tonic?

Depending on the gin you use, the ratio is 1 part gin to 3 parts tonic. So, with 45 ml of gin, that’s 90 ml of tonic. If you have a lighter gin with a soft flavor, you can use a bit more gin.

Tip: Always use a jigger to measure the right amount of gin and serve the remainder of the tonic bottle when serving.

Which gin do you choose?

Not all gins are the same. When choosing the best gin for your Gin & Tonic, consider personal preferences. Fortunately, there are countless options available that cater to different taste profiles. Whether you prefer a dry, spicy gin or more of a citrusy or floral gin, with gin, you have endless possibilities for your GT.

Below are some suggestions, depending on your preference:

• If you’re a fan of a dry and refined “dry gin,” brands like Boomsma and Sipsmith can certainly meet your expectations. These gins are characterized by their balanced flavor and subtle aromas.
• If you enjoy a soft and floral gin, brands like Hendrick’s and Ukiyo Blossom are good choices. They offer a delicate combination of floral notes that add a touch of elegance to your Gin Tonic.
• If you prefer a fresh and citrusy taste, gins like Bombay, Tanqueray, Ukiyo Yuzu, and V2C orange are perfect for you. These gins bring a refreshing citrus kick, giving your Gin Tonic a vibrant and summery twist.
• Fans of spicy and herbal flavors will find Monkey 47 and Bobby’s gin excellent choices. With their complex combination of spices and herbs, they add an adventurous and warming dimension to your Gin & Tonic.
• And if you’re looking for something unique and different, gins like Gin Mare, Copperhead, or Rutte Celery Gin can be interesting options. These gins offer a savory taste experience that takes your Gin Tonic to new heights.

Tip: Try out different combinations with gin and tonic to discover which one you like the most! If you want to try a new gin or expand your gin collection, take a look at the various gins available at Gall & Gall.

Gin is an alcoholic beverage made by distilling neutral alcohol with juniper berries and other botanicals such as herbs, spices, citrus, and flowers. The unique character of gin is created by the combination of these botanicals, each adding its own flavor and aroma to the drink.

Which tonic do you choose for your Gin & Tonic?

You’ve surely put a lot of thought into choosing your gin. But just as important as the choice of gin is the choice of tonic. It’s definitely not to be underestimated. Because it would be a shame if you ruin your expensive gin with a cheap-ass tonic. And yet, this happens often. Premium tonics you can confidently choose from include Fevertree, Thomas Henry, Double Dutch, Royal Bliss, Tonic 1724, Schweppes Premium (in small bottles).

Don’t use a liter bottle for your tonic, but small bottles so you can be sure your tonic is optimally fizzy after opening.

About tonic Tonic is a carbonated soft drink often used in cocktails, including Gin and Tonic. It's a bitter carbonated beverage with a distinctive flavor. Tonic water contains quinine, a bitter substance originally used as a treatment for malaria. Nowadays, quinine is mainly used because of the flavor it imparts to tonic. Tonic water forms the base of a Gin and Tonic and is combined with gin to create a refreshing and flavorful cocktail. The sparkling tonic provides a nice contrast to the spicy and floral aromas of the gin. Together, they create a harmonious blend of flavours that are both refreshing and complex.

Garnish to accentuate the flavour

You choose the garnish to accentuate the flavor of your gin. If you have a citrusy gin, you might choose lemon, lime, or grapefruit. If you have a more savory gin like Gin Mare or Rutte Celery Gin, you might garnish with savory herbs like a sprig of rosemary or thyme. With Hendrick’s, it’s often garnished with cucumber.

You can also garnish with dehydrated fruits like lime, orange, grapefruit, or perhaps hibiscus or a beautiful Persian Rose flower. Handy tip: check out the dehydrated fruits and botanicals from Botanica Spices.

Gin and Tonic glasses: why do you drink your Gin and Tonic from such a large round glass?

You often see those large wide “balloon” glasses, officially called copa glasses. But why? In a spacious, wide glass, the taste and combination of the different ingredients are best released. Another advantage is that you can put a beautiful large ice ball in it that won’t fit in a highball glass.

Gin and Tonic is always fun to give as a gift. Give a beautiful bottle of gin, with tonic, and a set of nice gin tonic glasses.

Does Gin and Tonic help with weight control?

Alcoholic beverages and cocktails don’t benefit weight control. Often, they contain a lot of sugar. For a gin and tonic, you count about 100 calories for the gin and about 70 for the tonic. With an average cocktail, you’re around 250 – 400 calories.

GT fucks up: common mistakes

Making a GT seems easy, but making the perfect Gin Tonic is an art in itself, and even experienced enthusiasts can occasionally fall into some pitfalls.

Here are a few common mistakes you’ll want to avoid when preparing your Gin and Tonic:

• One of the most common mistakes is overestimating the amount of tonic you need. Remember that the ratio of gin to tonic is important. Generally, maintain a ratio of 1/3 gin and 2/3 tonic. This prevents your drink from becoming too watery.
• Not using a jigger. Use a jigger or another method to measure your drinks. It’s important to maintain the correct proportions of gin and tonic. Too much gin can overpower the flavor, while too much tonic can dilute the taste. Always use a jigger to measure the right amount of gin and be precise in your measurements.
• Quality: If you opt for a quality gin, be sure to choose a good tonic as well. Preferably from a small bottle. You want your Gin Tonic to be nice and refreshing.
• Presentation matters too. So don’t just use any ordinary glass; give your presentation some flair with a beautiful, elegant glass, preferably a copa glass.
• Standard garnish. Garnishing is an opportunity to enhance the flavour of your Gin Tonic and add an extra dimension. So don’t use the same lemon or cucumber slice every time. Try different types of citrus fruits, herbs, spices, or even edible flowers to elevate your cocktail. Don’t be afraid to experiment and discover your favourite combinations.
• Max 2 botanicals: if you use botanicals, less is more. So, add a maximum of 2 botanicals and go for the flavor of these botanicals. No more!
• No or insufficient ice. Don’t skimp on the ice in your glass either. Nothing worse than a refreshing GT that’s no longer cold.

Non-alcoholic Gin and Tonic

Did you know that nowadays you can easily make your GT alcohol-free? There are more and more good non-alcoholic gin brands available. We’ve made alcohol-free gin & tonics several times already. You can also make it with Fluère, a non-alcoholic distilled drink available in various flavors such as floral and raspberry.

Check out the selection of non-alcoholic gins

3x gin-spiration

Making your own Gin Tonic is not difficult at all, and you can go in any direction you like. With the right ingredients and proportions, you can create a delicious and refreshing concoction of your own.

For inspiration, here are 3 great combinations. From left to right:

1. Monkey 47 Gin and Tonic with cardamom and orange zest
2. Hendrick’s Gin and Tonic, garnished with cucumber and red peppercorns
3. Non-alcoholic Fluère Raspberry Tonic with ice cubes containing red fruits (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)

Super fun to do: organize a gin tonic bar!

Do you enjoy hosting a Gin and Tonic night with your friends? Create your own Gin and Tonic bar. In this blog, you’ll read exactly how to do that. Of course, with inspiration for tasty Gin and Tonics.

Most asked questions

Can I use other soft drinks instead of tonic?
If you don’t like tonic but still want to join in on a GT night with others, you can try sparkling water. The only thing is, then it’s obviously not a real Gin and Tonic anymore.

How long is tonic usable after opening the bottle?
Tonic loses its fizz quickly after opening. Or as I like to say, the spirit leaves the bottle after opening. Although the exact time may vary, it’s generally good to use an opened bottle of tonic within 1-2 days to enjoy the optimal fizz. For the best experience, use a small bottle.

Do I always have to add ice to my Gin and Tonic?
Ice plays an important role. It keeps your drink cold and dilutes the alcohol, allowing the aromas of the mix to come through more.

Can I pre-mix and store my Gin and Tonic for a party?
That’s not a good idea. Mixing and storing the cocktail for a long time can lead to loss of fizz and flavor. If you still want to serve a large amount of Gin and Tonic, you can chill the gin and tonic separately and combine them in the glass just before serving.

How can I give my Gin and Tonic a creative twist?
You can experiment with different garnishes, such as herbs, spices, fruits, or flowers, to give your Gin and Tonic a creative and unique twist. For example, try lavender, ginger, rose petals, or hibiscus as a garnish. Be creative and discover new flavor combinations that fit your desired taste profile.