The Best Gin and Tonic Recipe

Beverages

How to Make a Gin and Tonic – This classic cocktail recipe is always a hit! Make it with quality gin and a twist of lime for a refreshing drink that’s fitting for any occasion.

Close view of gin and tonic in a short glass, garnished with slice of lime and juniper berries in the glass.

Why We Love This Cocktail Recipe

The classic Gin and Tonic is such a simple and refreshing beverage, however, so many people mess it up! Today we’re talking about what makes the BEST gin and tonic recipe… The proper ratio, the kind of gin you should use, the kind of tonic you should use, appropriate garnishes, and more.

With just a couple of simple ingredients, you too, can make the absolute best gin & tonic cocktail at home!

Top down view of final shot from making the best gin and tonic recipe.

What’s the Best Gin for Gin and Tonic?

When I come across someone that doesn’t like the taste of gin, I often wonder what brands they have tried.

Good gin should have a light clean citrus flavor with a slight herbal evergreen note, from the addition of juniper berries. It should be smooth, delicate, and refreshing. (So no, it should not taste like Pine-Sol.)

Therefore, when you’re making a cocktail that only requires three ingredients – gin, tonic water, and lime – it’s important to pick a really good gin and a really good tonic water.

Although there are many good gins out there, the one that I consider my go-to for the perfect gin and tonic is Hendrick’s Gin. This is a gin you should be able to find anywhere in the United States. If you happen to live in a region that has good local distilleries it’s worth giving them a try as well. We often buy The Botanist or Uncle Val’s gin here in the Southeast.

Two bottles of gin: One of Hendrick's and one of Uncle Val's.

Get the Complete (Printable) Gin and Tonic Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

Our Favorite Tonic Water

The same goes for tonic water. Tonic water is essentially carbonated water with a touch of quinine to give it a slightly bitter mineral flavor. However, as with anything else, some of them taste better than others.

My personal favorite, which you should be able to find nationwide, is called Fever Tree. Again, if you have a great local wine or cocktail market you may find some artisanal tonic waters that are fun to experiment with.

So essentially, the best drink is made with equal parts gin and tonic and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. That’s it!

How to Make Gin and Tonic

For each drink: Set out a lowball glass and fill it in half full with ice. Add 3 ounces of gin and 3 ounces of tonic.

Hand pouring gin from a metal jig into a highball glass with ice.

Squeeze one lime slice into the glass then drop in the slice. Stir well.

Garnish with a second lime slice, if you like.

Gin and tonic with lime, in front of bottles with alcohol and soda water.

Optional Garnishes

If you go to restaurants, you will often see fancy gin and tonics topped with all sorts of garnishes! You might try juniper berries, of course, thinly sliced cucumbers, mint leaves, edible flowers, and other herbal sprigs.

I’ve shown mine here with juniper berries because we had them on hand. None of these things actually flavor the gin and tonic much and make it taste better than it would as a standalone cocktail.

Glass now garnished with juniper berries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best gin and tonic glasses?

As for glassware, you can serve a gin and tonic in any kind of glass, a highball glass, a lowball rocks glass, or a wide-stemmed Copa-style glass.

I personally like to select a shorter glass with a wide rim over a highball glass. I feel like this helps to release the aroma of the gin and the tonic water for an overall better experience.

How many drinks does this cocktail recipe make?

The recipe portions here are to make 1 drink. Keep the gin and tonic ratio the same and multiply by however many drinks you need.

What odes gin and tonic pair well with?

The light, crisp, and slightly citrusy flavors go well with lighter foods, snacks, and appetizers. A few of our favorites for a “fancy” yet casual gathering are Market Stuffed Squash Blossoms, Mini Cheese Balls, Spicy Bacon Wrapped Dates, and Antipasto Platters.

And seafood dishes in particular are delicious to pair with these classic cocktails! Enjoy with Fish Ceviche (Ceviche de Pescado), Lobster Tostadas, Seared Scallops with Wilted Greens, or Garlic Lime Oven Baked Salmon.

Full garnished drink, with lime and juniper berries.

Looking for More Classic Cocktail Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:

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The Best Gin and Tonic Recipe + VIDEO

Prep Time: 2

Total Time: 2

This classic gin and tonic cocktail recipe is always a hit! Make it with quality gin and a twist of lime for a refreshing drink that's fitting for any occasion.

Servings: drink

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

3 ounces good gin like Hendrick’s
3 ounces good tonic water like Fever Tree
2 lime slices
Optional garnishes: juniper berries cucumber slices, mint, or edible flowers

Instructions

Set out a lowball glass and fill it in half full with ice.
Add 3 ounces of gin and 3 ounces of tonic. Squeeze one lime slice into the glass then drop in the slice. Stir well.
Garnish with a second lime slice. All other garnishes are optional.

Video

Notes

If you go to restaurants, you will often see fancy gin and tonics topped with all sorts of garnishes including juniper berries, of course, thinly sliced cucumbers mint leaves, edible flowers, and other herbal sprigs.

You can certainly garnish your gin and tonics at home with fancier ingredients. I’ve shown mine here with juniper berries because we had them on hand. None of these things actually flavor the gin and tonic and make it taste better than it would as a standalone cocktail.

As for glassware, you can serve a gin and tonic in any kind of glass, a highball glass, a lowball rocks glass, or a wide stemmed Copa-style glass. I personally like to select a shorter glass with a wide rim over a highball glass. I feel like this helps to release the aroma of the gin and tonic for an overall better experience.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 201kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 0.03g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 19mg, Potassium: 18mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 0.2g, Vitamin A: 7IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 0.1mg

Course: Beverage, Drinks

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Author: Sommer Collier

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