How to Make the Best Gin and Tonic

The gin and tonic just might be the easiest cocktail of all. It's a two-ingredient drink—made from a combination of, you guessed it, gin and tonic—with a simple but essential citrus garnish. But as with every recipe with minimal components, the quality of each element is extremely important. Here, we're sharing our classic recipe for making a gin and tonic and explaining the elements of the drink. Use this basic formula to test drive some different gins, find the tonic that pairs best with your favorite gin and decide which glass to use, how much ice you like, and how you'll garnish your G&T.

What Is a Gin and Tonic?

It's sometimes called the gin tonic; in the U.K., it's often referred to as a G&T. Whatever name you give it, the gin and tonic is a classic cocktail and mixed drink that doesn't require a cocktail shaker, muddling spoon, or other mixology equipment. It doesn't even require a special glass like a martini does. It's a refreshing cold drink on a hot summer night when a more boozy cocktail would be too much. In fact, there are those who assert the G&T is a summer drink, but there are others—many others, actually—who believe this classic is a refreshing sip any time of the year.

The Gin

There are many different gins available on the market, and just as the bottles and branding vary widely, so does the alcohol inside. The best-known type of gin is London dry gin, like Bombay or Tanqueray. Modern gins, like Sipsmith, are dry but more delicate. Other gins, such as Hendricks, which is made with cucumber and rose petals, are sweeter and more floral. Smaller craft distilleries often highlight local botanicals, which means sugar kelp in Isle of Harris Gin from Scotland or raw honey in Barr Hill Gin from Vermont. Which gin you use is a matter of personal preference or mood. There are also non-alcoholic gins like Monday for a booze-free G&T.

The Tonic

This colorless, bubbly beverage might seem like second fiddle to the gin, but it's absolutely not. Two-thirds of your gin and tonic is tonic water, so if the tonic is flat, off-tasting, or overly sweet, there goes your perfect drink. To keep it fresh, we suggest using individual bottles of tonic from Q Mixers, Fever Tree, or 1724. One bottle makes about two drinks, so split one with a friend or make yourself a refill.

The Glass

The traditional glass for a gin and tonic is a highball, but you can certainly still enjoy a gin and tonic in a different vessel. Some people prefer a shorter glass, but there's also a lot to be said for a large wine goblet called a copa. That's the glass used for a more spicy and herbal gin and tonic made with Gin Mare, a Mediterranean-inspired gin made in Spain. The balloon shape of the glass allows you to add more garnishes, and it highlights the drink's aromatics with each sip.

Ice

There must be ice, but whether you opt for one oversized cube or sphere or a few smaller cubes is up to you. No matter its size or quantity, the ice should be fresh and preferably crystal clear.

Lime or Lemon?

A gin and tonic is a simple drink and its garnish should not be too complicated, but you do have options:

• Many gin-and-tonic aficionados think lime is the perfect partner to the drink.
• Naysayers say lemon is the way to go.
• Some outliers finish the drink with Meyer lemon.
• A slice of grapefruit also has its fans (bonus points if it's ruby red grapefruit for color).
• Not a citrus fan? Go with a slice of cucumber. It's quite divine.
• A Spanish-style gin and tonic is garnished with a sprig of rosemary.

Ultimately, you use whatever you like best and add it to the drink—in the form of a slice, wedge, or twist—in the way you find most appealing.

How to Make a Gin and Tonic

This is, as we mentioned, an easy drink, and there's not too much to remember. Use a jigger, shot glass, or kitchen measuring cup to portion out your drink (so one jigger of gin and three of tonic).

• 1 part gin
• 3 parts tonic water, chilled
• Ice
• Lime twist of wedge

Add ice to the glass, pour gin over the ice, then add the tonic water. Twist the lime peel over the drink to release the citrus oils, then drop it into the glass.

Yes, it really is that simple. Cheers!