If it’s been a while since you had a Gin and Tonic or if you’ve always thought you weren’t into them, it might be time for a second look. This simple drink hits hard in the refreshment department, and when done right, it’s crisp, bright, and way more balanced than you remember. All you need is good gin, cold tonic, a generous squeeze of fresh lime, and ice. It’s a no-fuss cocktail with just the right amount of room for personal tweaks.
Gin And Tonic Recipe
This is one of those drinks that fits in anywhere. Backyard BBQ? Absolutely. Friday wind-down? Perfect. Hot afternoon? Made for it.
There’s more variation here than you’d think. Tonic water matters, and the gin you use will change the vibe entirely. You can also dial up or tone down the lime, depending on your taste.
Don’t be afraid to play around. Some people like it sharper, some prefer it a little sweeter. The key is keeping it cold and using good-quality ingredients.
This one’s easy to batch for a crowd too. Stir up a pitcher and pour over fresh ice when guests show up. It’s a reliable go-to for when you don’t want to overthink your drinks.
Why You’ll Love This Cocktail
- Fast and Easy – Just three ingredients and a few seconds of your time.
- Crisp and Refreshing – It’s the kind of cold that cuts through a hot day.
- Flexible Ratios – Adjust the lime and tonic to make it exactly how you like it.
- Great for Entertaining – A solid cocktail everyone knows and enjoys.
- Low Effort, High Payoff – It feels a lot fancier than the work it takes.
Recipe Shopping List
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Gin – Look for a London dry style if you want that classic juniper-forward profile. For something softer, go with a floral or citrus-forward gin. Hendrick’s, Tanqueray, or Bombay are all solid.
- Tonic Water – Go for a premium tonic like Fever-Tree or Q Tonic. It’s not just filler; it really shapes the flavor of the drink.
- Lime Juice – Fresh-squeezed makes a huge difference here. It adds brightness and cuts through the bitterness.
- Fresh Lime Slices – For garnish and a little extra zip as it infuses into the drink.
- Ice – Use plenty. A full glass of ice keeps the drink cold and crisp longer.
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How To Make This Cocktail
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Fill a tall rocks or highball glass to the top with ice.
- Pour in 2 ounces of your preferred gin.
- Add 6 ounces of chilled tonic water.
- Squeeze in the juice from half a lime.
- Stir gently and garnish with a couple of lime slices.
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FAQ
Some folks love a half-and-half. Others prefer a 3:1 ratio of tonic to gin. It really boils down to how strong you like your cocktails.
The great thing about gin and tonics is they don’t rely on a super sugary mixer to conceal the alcohol. A well-made gin and tonic is neither too sweet or too biting from the booze. It is the essence of smooth and light. So much so, in fact, that sometimes it is hard to tell just how strong your G&T actually is. Beware!
When it comes to the gin and tonic, do yourself a favor and use a quality gin. You will enjoy the drink way more.
“London” and “Distilled” gin refer to the alcohol getting the flavors infused during a second distillation. The difference between the two is pretty subtle and based on the methanol content, as well as the distillation methods.
London and Distilled gins tend to be dry gins, so they work great for G&T’s.
Sloe gin is like a gin liqueur, so don’t confuse that with the gin you use for gin and tonics.
Some gin that I recommend:
– Hendricks
– Bombay Sapphire
– Tanqueray
– Beefeater
The most popular tonic water is Seagrams and it works fine for gin and tonics, but do yourself a favor and find the quality tonic water. Less sugar and more quinine create a better drink.
Fever-Tree, Q Spectacular, and even Schweppes all work really well. Schweppes will be the easiest to find in your local market. The others tend to be in quality liquor stores.
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More Cocktails To Try
Gin & Tonic
This gin & tonic cocktail recipe is a simple, refreshing classic that you should skip over just because you think you don't like gin. Or tonic. It might surprise you!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 6 ounces tonic
- juice from 1/2 lime
- fresh lime slices
Instructions
- Fill a tall rocks glass with ice, pour in the remaining ingredients and garnish with lime slices.
Notes
Experiment with the ratios here, according to your own taste! I love my G&Ts to be really limey, but if you like less - use less.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 349Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 169mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 3gSugar: 47gProtein: 1g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.