Gin and Tonic
A refreshing, citrus and bubbly gin cocktail ∙ Build ∙ 2 min ∙ 10.7% ABV ∙
The Gin and Tonic is a classic British highball of London dry gin and tonic water, built over ice in a highball glass and garnished with a lime wedge.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Pour into the ice-filled glass: London dry gin 50 mlTonic water 120 ml
- Stir gently
- Garnish with a lime wedge
History
The Gin and Tonic's popular origin story ties it to British colonial medicine: during the 18th century the Scottish physician George Cleghorn studied how quinine, a traditional cure for malaria, could be used to prevent the disease. The first tonic water went on sale in 1858. The traditional account holds that British military officers in India, already issued a gin ration, took to mixing gin and sugar into their bitter medicinal tonic to make the quinine palatable, effectively creating the drink.
Modern historians have pushed back hard on this story. The earliest known written reference to a "gin and tonic" — an 1868 mention in the Oriental Sporting Magazine — describes it not as medicine but as a refreshment served to spectators at horse races. And whatever role it may once have played, modern tonic is no malaria remedy: it contains far too little quinine to treat the disease.
International Gin & Tonic Day, founded in 2010, is marked each year on October 19.
FAQ
How do you make a gin and tonic?
Fill a highball glass with ice, pour in 50 ml London dry gin and 120 ml tonic water, stir gently, and garnish with a lime wedge.
What is the perfect gin to tonic ratio?
Most recipes fall between 1:1 and 1:3 gin to tonic. This one uses 50 ml gin to 120 ml tonic, about 1:2.4; more tonic makes a longer, softer drink, so adjust to your gin and taste.
What glass is a gin and tonic served in?
A highball glass, filled with ice and built directly in the glass. A large balloon (copa) glass has also become popular, as its wide bowl gathers the gin's aromatics and holds plenty of ice.
What can I add to a gin and tonic to make it taste better?
Beyond the classic lime, try a lemon wedge, cucumber slice, or a sprig of rosemary or thyme to echo the gin's botanicals. Orange peel, pink grapefruit, or a few black peppercorns also work; match the garnish to the flavors in your gin.
What are common gin and tonic mistakes?
The biggest mistakes are using too little ice, which speeds dilution and warms the drink, and flat or low-quality tonic, which dulls the whole drink. Over-pouring the gin unbalances it, and stirring vigorously knocks out the carbonation.
