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October 19 marks International G&T Day – and while it may be a Monday this year, there’s no better excuse than to try out your mixology skills. Whether you’re a fruit enthusiast or you prefer a pared back tipple, there’s a gin out there you’re sure to enjoy. But many of us have been making our gin and tonics wrong – so do you know how to make the perfect serve!
When it comes to a good gin and tonic, the key is simplicity.
So no matter when gin you plump for, or what tonic you pair it with, there’s only one real way to make the classic perfect serve.
What you’ll need:
- A gin glass
- Ice (the bigger the cubes are, the better)
- Your favourite gin
- Your favourite tonic water
Express.co.uk reveals the easy steps you should follow for the perfect G&T each time, courtesy of Merchants Heart tonic.
Method:
Step 1: Chill your gin and your glass in the freezer
Step 2: Remove your class and fill almost completely full with ice.
Step 3: Pour 50ml of gin over the ice, and swirl around the edges of the glass for ten to 20 seconds. (This is to help the glass and your drink stay cooler for longer, and helps bring out the flavours)
Step 4: Top up with 200ml of tonic water.
Step 5: Stir gently, adding a twist of fruit to garnish.
And that’s it – your perfect G&T. But if you’re a fan of bold flavours, or just keen to try something new, it’s important to choose the right gin and the right tonic for you.
So what is your favourite combination? Try some of our favourite examples below.
London Dry Gins
Juniper is the star of the show in a London Dry Gin – try the classic Slingsby London Dry Gin.
Choosing a slightly bitter tonic, like Fever Tree Aromatic Tonic or Luscombe Grapefruit, can compliment the flavour of the junipers.
Or, try to counter those piney flavours with a tonic flavoured with citrus notes – such as an Indian Tonic.
Garnish with juniper berries, or the classic lemon or lime twist.
Citrus or Herbaceous Gin
Lemon, orange or grapefruits flavours make up the citrus gins. Give Monkey 47 a go – don’t let the bottle fool you that it’s not a citrus gin. Or Malfy con Limone is an excellent variation.
Serve with a tonic boasting clean, crips citrus blends – why not try Artisan Drinks Co. Pink Citrus. Or Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic, which is made with lemon thyme and rosemary.
Garnish with bergamot, basil, star anise, mint, or lemon thyme.
Floral gin
If you like soft floral notes, such as rose or chamomile, try the Ludlow Elderflower gin.
Serve with a premium tonic water – but try not to go overboard with flavours. Perhaps steer clear of an elderflower tonic when matching with the Ludlow gin.
Or why not give 58 Gin’s Apple and Hibiscus a go – mixed with Merchant Heart Hibiscus tonic.
Pink peppercorns, lavender, apple or rosemary work as an excellent garnish.
Fruity gin
Why not try Shelly’s Raspberry Ripple Gin Liqueur – served over lots of ice with fresh raspberries and paired with an elderflower tonic.
Or give Koppaberg’s limited edition Pear gin a try – perfect over mountains of ice with lemonade and a slice of pear.
Tonic wise, try adding Lixir Rhubarb & Ginger or Lamb & Watt Basil for a real edge to your gins.
Your gin glass is also important. A big goblet style glass make look fancy, but choosing the right type of glass can actually improve your drink’s taste too.
A highball glass should be used for if you want a high volume of soda or non-alcoholic mixer to your gin.
While a Balloon glass (or ‘copa de balon’) is best for a classic G&T, or those with a strong citrus or floral note.
This is because the wide bream brings the gorgeous aromas of all the botanicals up to your nose while you drink, but it also allows for more ice – helping your drink stay cooler – while the stem stops your palms from warming the perfect serve up.
Remember, the bigger the ice, the better.
This is because larger ice cubes help to stop over-dulluting your drink when compared to using more smaller ones.
Having more ice in the glass, and ice of a larger size, helps keep your drink’s temperature lower – which in turn means the ice will take longer to melt.
A simple tip is to use warm water in your ice tray as this creates clearer cubes.
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