How to Pour the Perfect Gin and Tonic

In recognition of World Gin Day and whilst summer approaches and lockdown continues, perhaps it’s time to up your gin game! Gin reportedly takes a 20% share of the spirits market, due to its versatility in flavours and garnishes. From the new-found ‘pink gin’ craze to gifting gin experiences, it provides scalable opportunities in the drinks market.

But just how do we nail such a perfect concoction? Here, we let you in on how to pour the perfect G&T, allowing you to transform from novice to mixologist.

THE GLASS

A great gin requires much more than an old beaker. One with a good opening like a tumbler, red wine glass or a Copa de Bacon is best. Its wider bowl shape not only means you can experiment with lots of garnishes besides the traditional lemon or lime wedge, but it helps to collect the botanical scents of your gin!

Furthermore, the wider bowl look and a glass with a long stem is particularly effective when serving gin; both features mean that you can fit plenty of ice in (as gin must be served cool) and the long stem means it avoids going warm for longer.

THE ICE

As previously mentioned, it is essential that your gin and tonic is served ice cold. Whilst we advise chilling the gin first to make your drink cooler, you must also get the glass as cold as possible.

To do this, simply add lots of ice - and we mean A LOT. The more ice you use, the colder the glass gets, and the less likely that you will dilute your drink as it will take longer to warm up. More, bigger ice cubes, or even one giant ice cube means chilled, not diluted. The quality of the gin will thus be able to come through, making it a beautifully chilled, crisp and tasteful beverage. Need we say more?

THE GIN

With the popularity of gin re-established in recent times, we can’t deny that we live in the golden age of gin. Bottles of every shape, brands of every colour, gin of every flavour…the possibilities are endless.

It’s a good idea to go for flavours that you are confident you’ll enjoy - for example, you’re less likely to enjoy a tonic infused with spices if you’re a penchant for summer berries. Once your gin has been chosen, we recommend a nice 50ml glug as the perfect measurement, followed by around 150ml of your chosen tonic, ie a 25/75 gin to tonic ratio.

THE TONIC

Investing in high quality tonic is a key ingredient in this G&T recipe. A lot of those who say they dislike gin are actually unaware that it’s the tonic water that they despise.

Imagine you’re in the kitchen cooking up your favourite fish dish - imagine how it’s about to taste with the gorgeous glass of white wine. Both complement each other and it works the same way with gin and tonic. To choose a tonic for your gin, look at your gin’s key flavours and botanicals. A tonic that enhances or complements these flavours is key when trying to score 10/10 in this drink department.

THE GARNISH

Just as choosing the right tonic does, the right garnish will transform your gin. Branch out from the regular limes, lemons and cucumbers.

Here are a few of our favourites:

- If your gin is spiced, choose orange, pink peppercorns or cinnamon.

- If your gin is citrus, choose basil, mint or star anise.

- If your gin is floral, choose apple, rosemary or elderflower.

- If your gin is classic or juniper-led, choose grapefruit, juniper berries or dried orange.

- If your gin is fruity, choose pomegranate, black pepper or chilli.

THE ORDER

The order in which a G&T is compiled could perhaps be the most important thing to remember here. So, just as a reminder, here it goes:

1. Get the glass as cold as possible

2. Add lots and lots of ice

3. Add your gin

4. Top with your tonic of choice

5. Give it a gentle stir

6. Top with the garnish of your choice

7. Enjoy (and consider a repeat)!

Do you like what you've read here? Sign up to our newsletter and be the first to hear about more sports news and blog posts, competitions and special offers from Keith Prowse hospitality.