Gin and Tonic

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A traditional Gin and Tonic cocktail is simple to make and refreshing to drink. Or, try one of many variations for a twist on this classic.

A gin and tonic cocktail.


 

Recipe ingredients

Labeled ingredients for gin and tonic.

Ingredient notes

  • Gin: A distilled spirit flavored with juniper berries and, occasionally, other botanical herbs or spices.
  • Tonic water: Sweetened carbonated water with quinine (an anti-malarial medication with a bitter taste). For a stronger drink, use just 4 ounces tonic water instead of 6.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Fill a highball or rocks glass with ice, then add gin.
Mixing a gin and tonic in a glass.
  1. Top with tonic water by pouring it down a bar spoon into the glass (to preserve its effervescence). Garnish with a lime wedge.
Mixing a gin and tonic in a glass.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
  • Glassware: A Gin and Tonic is traditionally made in a highball glass, an 8-ounce to 12-ounce glass tumbler such as a Collins glass. I like to use a rocks glass.
  • Big batch: To make a batch of 8 cocktails, combine 16 ounces (2 cups) gin and 48 ounces (6 cups) tonic water in a large pitcher. Have ice, glassware, and garnishes on hand so guests can help themselves.
  • Garnish: A lime slice or wedge is the traditional garnish. Maybe lightly squeeze it into your drink before dropping it in the glass.
  • Evans: A UK variation that uses both lemon and lime as the garnish.
  • Pink G&T: Add 5 dashes angostura bitters to the glass with the gin.
  • Parisian G&T: Come 2 ounces (¼ cup) gin and 1 ounce (2 tbsp.) elderflower liqueur. Top with equal parts tonic water and champagne.
  • Spanish G&T: Served in a balloon, this gin and tonic is garnished with any combination of dried or fresh herbs, dried spices, citrus, or flowers. Some popular choices are whole peppercorns, thyme or rosemary sprigs, juniper berries, lavender, vanilla beans, or other fresh fruit.
  • More mixers: In addition to tonic water, some variations add lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice with spiced simple syrup, or grenadine.
A gin and tonic cocktail.

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A gin and tonic cocktail in a clear glass.

Gin and Tonic

A traditional Gin and Tonic cocktail is simple to make and refreshing to drink. Or, try one of many variations for a twist on this classic.
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 1 minute
Servings 1 cocktail
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Calories 136
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients 

  • 2 ounces gin (¼ cup, see note 1)
  • 6 ounces tonic water (¾ cup, see note 2)
  • 1 lime wedge for garnish

Instructions 

  • Fill a highball or rocks glass with ice. Add gin.
  • Top with tonic water by pouring it down a bar spoon into the glass (to preserve its effervescence). Garnish with a lime wedge.

Notes

  1. Gin: A distilled spirit flavored with juniper berries and, occasionally, other botanical herbs or spices.
  2. Tonic water: Sweetened carbonated water with quinine (an anti-malarial medication with a bitter taste). For a stronger drink, use just 4 ounces tonic water instead of 6.
  3. Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
  4. Glassware: A Gin and Tonic is traditionally made in a highball glass, an 8-ounce to 12-ounce glass tumbler such as a Collins glass. I like to use a rocks glass.
  5. Big batch: To make a batch of 8 cocktails, combine 16 ounces (2 cups) gin and 48 ounces (6 cups) tonic water in a large pitcher. Have ice, glassware, and garnishes on hand so guests can help themselves.
  6. Garnish: A lime slice or wedge is the traditional garnish. Maybe lightly squeeze it into your drink before dropping it in the glass.
  7. Evans: A UK variation that uses both lemon and lime as the garnish.
  8. Pink G&T: Add 5 dashes angostura bitters to the glass with the gin.
  9. Parisian G&T: Come 2 ounces (¼ cup) gin and 1 ounce (2 tbsp.) elderflower liqueur. Top with equal parts tonic water and champagne.
  10. Spanish G&T: Served in a balloon, this gin and tonic is garnished with any combination of dried or fresh herbs, dried spices, citrus, or flowers. Some popular choices are whole peppercorns, thyme or rosemary sprigs, juniper berries, lavender, vanilla beans, or other fresh fruit.
  11. More mixers: In addition to tonic water, some variations add lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice with spiced simple syrup, or grenadine.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 136kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 37mgPotassium: 23mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 9IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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