Gin and Tonic Cocktail

Refresh your cocktail repertoire with this classic gin and tonic recipe. This quintessential drink combines the crisp, botanical flavors of gin, the brisk effervescence of tonic water, and refreshing lime juice. This simple and beloved concoction is perfect for any occasion, from casual gatherings to more formal affairs.

I have made a lot of g&ts in my day. But I’ve made it by just adding the juice from a lime wedge. I’ve also imbibed a lot of gin & tonic cocktails but it was never a drink I adored or thought, wow, this is outstanding.

Until one weekend we spent at my brother’s house. He made one for us as a happy hour drink.

I wasn’t exactly thrilled because we usually have fabulous cocktails during our visits with him. But then I sipped it.

Double yum.

I asked my brother what he did and when he told me, I nodded.

Okay, it’s all in the lime juice. I’ve been making it like this since then and everyone I serve them to, love it.

The extra lime juice makes it utterly refreshing and thirst quenching. You just have to remember not to chug it down.

He also used premium tonic water, and although I didn’t use it when I made this cocktail for the blog, I only use it now unless I’m throwing a party with a lot of people.

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Helpful tips

• I know a lot of people like to use diet tonic water in their cocktails, but do yourself a favor and use regular tonic water. Tonic water does contain some sugar and the diet version uses artificial sweeteners and you can taste the difference.
• With that said, my go-to brand is Fever Tree Indian tonic water. It is a premium tonic water, and once you try it, you’ll never go back.
• Everyone has a favorite gin, and I’m no different. I love Bombay Sapphire, but I also enjoy Tanqueray, Hendrick’s gin, and any dry London gin.
• Wash your citrus before juicing them and/or adding the fruit in the glass.
• Here’s how: 1.) Use a natural unscented hand soap and scrub the skins with a vegetable brush and run the limes under water to wash off the soap or 2.) Fill a bowl with 3 cup of water and add 1 cup of white vinegar and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse the limes under running water and use a brush to scrub the skin.
• Want to kick your cocktail up a notch? Since fresh lime juice is already in the cocktail, here are some garnishes that complement the botanicals already infused in the gin: rosemary, thyme, mint, sage leaves, other herbs, a lemon wedge, a grapefruit slice, a cinnamon stick, and star anise.
• If I’m making this for a few people, I like to use a cocktail shaker to blend the gin with the lime juice, but I will build the cocktail in the glass for this post.

How to make a gin and tonic cocktail

Pre-step

Get a measuring glass, citrus squeezer, and double old fashioned glass or rocks glass.

Fill the glass with ice, and after measuring the ingredients, pour them into it.

Step one

Get the ingredients – dry gin, fresh lime, and tonic water.

Step two

Measure 2 ounces of gin.

Step three

Squeeze the juice out of a half of a lime.

Step four

Take a cocktail spoon and stir briskly.

Step five

Add tonic water to fill the glass.

Step six

Take two lime wedges and squeeze the juice into the glass and add them to the cocktail.

YUM!

Let’s look at the vertical view.

I take a sip the gin and tonic cocktail and sigh.

So good!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe.

Other delicious lime cocktails

• French gimlet
• Cucumber dill
• Woo woo
• Cucumber gimlet
• Last word

And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!

If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below.  I love hearing from you!  You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST  to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!