Gin & Tonic! How do you like it?

PhilWilkins

PhilWilkins

Location
UK
I really do, especially the Navy Strength styles where the flavour is cranked right up thanks to the textural alcohol content. I tend to go with 35ml gin to 150ml tonic when I’m drinking the 57% stuff, instead of the usual 3:1 I’d use for a standard 40 to 45% pour. My top two 'go too (sp)' are Tarquin's ‘The Seadog Navy Strength’ from the Cornish coast and Henstone Navy Gin from Oswestry, from my beloved Shropshire. The Seadog is bold and bracing, with loads of citrus and coastal character like standing on a harbour wall during a squall. The Henstone is a different beast: richer, spicier, with more earthy warmth to it. Both absolutely cracking in their own ways.

And here’s the quirk. I only 'love them' when I mix them with Schweppes Slimline Tonic (whicjh most distillers I've visited aren't a fan) but from a 150ml aluminium tin. However I'm a fan and it's, for some reason, standardised, rather like a drinking a particular wine from a particular tasting wine glass. The same tonic from a 1 litre plastic bottle just doesn’t taste right, nor the full sugar version. I can’t explain it but the gin shines through so much better with the tinned stuff. Cleaner fizz, more lift, and you actually taste the gin.

Anyone else found this or is it just one of those odd palate things?
 
I must admit I do like a gin and tonic. Not 100% convinced that the different brands of gin make as much difference as the tonic, though we do carry a handful of different ones, including Japanese. Fully agree that tonic in plastic bottles is usually (= always) sub par and never use it except for making batter. I actually like Fever Tree in tins the most but Schweppes is fine too. Slimline to me though has that saccharine tang and I can't abide it. I prefer lime to lemon in a G&T.
 
Well,
After champagnes and wine glasses GnT is perhaps our favourite hobby.
A shot from 5 years ago when we were in our “lets try everything stage”
Staples are Tanquery Ten (lemon) Hendrick’s ( cucumber) for me and Audemus Pink Pepper ( red grapefruit) or Gin Mare (lime and rosemary) for Debbi.
Gin of the moment though is Warners exclusive Tom Collins for M&S
Re tonic (I am longtime diabetic so tolerant of sweeteners)we go for low calBritvic from 200ml glass bottles as that does a pair of doubles. I also go for the now back available Waitrose own.
Since the recipe re vamp after the sugar tax thing Fevertree ain’t worth the bother at the considerable money though the Mediterranean is mandatory for Gin Mare.
Agree cans are freshest though small glass bottles are excellent if expensive
There is an app called Ginventory which is useful re garnish and tonic suggestions.
Looking at the photo I realise I must re visit some of the Stateside ones like Junipero.
IMG_0056.jpeg
 
Last edited:
AJ Temple said:
Fully agree that tonic in plastic bottles is usually (= always) sub par and never use it except for making batter.
Click to expand...
Definitely one to file in the 'you learn something every day' column! any particular kind of batter?
I have never felt that tonic is gin's best friend but I am quite delighted by the small Lidl cans, the non-artificial sweetener variety still very low in sugar at 21 calories per can. I am however told by others that the reason I like the Lidl version so much is that I don't like tonic, which is a fair point. The fizz element is of course very important and large bottles are hopeless at that.
I like Martinis and sours and fizzes in all their various forms and they seem to me the most natural home of gin. My favourite Gordon's export full strength now eludes me, sadly, but I agree with Phil about the Navy strength versions. I don't want too much herbal complexity.
 
Raymond Tilney said:
Well,
After champagnes and wine glasses GnT is perhaps our favourite hobby.
A shot from 5 years ago when we were in our “lets try everything stage”
Staples are Tanquery Ten (lemon) Hendrick’s ( cucumber) for me and Audemus Pink Pepper ( red grapefruit) or Gin Mare (lime and rosemary) for Debbi.
Gin of the moment though is Warners exclusive Tom Collins for M&S
Re tonic (I am longtime diabetic so tolerant of sweeteners)we go for low calBritvic from 200ml glass bottles as that does a pair of doubles. I also go for the now back available Waitrose own.
Since the recipe re vamp after the sugar tax thing Fevertree ain’t worth the bother at the considerable money though the Mediterranean is mandatory for Gin Mare.
Agree cans are freshest though small glass bottles are excellent if expensive
There is an app called Ginventory which is useful re garnish and tonic suggestions.
Looking at the photo I realise I must re visit some of the Stateside ones like Junipero.
Click to expand...

Ray, do you know if (or at least feel that) the current Waitrose tonic water cans are the same recipe as the old Waitrose Essential tonic water cans? I used to buy those a lot before they disappeared for months and months, but they never brought the cans back in WE guise and the new WE tonic water bottles were noticeably different - and worse - to the old recipe. I've seen the new regular line cans, but have been wary about buying them.
 
Ed Wallace said:
Ray, do you know if (or at least feel that) the current Waitrose tonic water cans are the same recipe as the old Waitrose Essential tonic water cans? I used to buy those a lot before they disappeared for months and months, but they never brought the cans back in WE guise and the new WE tonic water bottles were noticeably different - and worse - to the old recipe. I've seen the new regular line cans, but have been wary about buying them.
Click to expand...
I can only pass a view on the Low Cal in cans which seem equal to the old WE branded cans.
Hope that helps Ed.
 
I’ve recently added Edinburgh Gin Classic (43%) to the rotation and it’s quietly become one of my favourites. It’s very different from the Navy Strengths I usually go for like the Seadog or Henstone. There seems to be a lot more refined clarity. There’s a polished citrus lift and a gentle spice I can’t quite place, but the balance is spot on. I like to taste the gin so I rarely garnishand this one holds its own perfectly without any extras. Oddly, I did not enjoy their Navy Strength!

I’ve been doing some side-by-side drinking with Schweppes Slimline in tins, which I normally use and the regular full-sugar version in the same format. For me, there’s a clear difference. The slimline version feels crisper and drier and it really lets the botanicals shine. The regular Schweppes has a smoother mouthfeel but I find the added sweetness dulls the finer details. I’m quite sensitive to it even if others don’t seem to notice. With the full fat, the gin feels more blended into the mix whereas with the Slimline it stays more defined and upfront.

Again it might just be one of those palate quirks, but for me the Edinburgh really comes alive with the slimline. Curious if anyone else finds the tonic makes that much difference.

NB: I’ve also tried a few of the premium tonics available like Fever Tree, London Essence Original, Double Dutch and Fentimans etc. They’re all decent in their own ways, especially if you’re after a more elevated serve, but for me they sometimes bring a touch too much of their own personality. I’ll steer well clear of flavoured tonics (cucumber, elderflower, Mediterranean etc) but I keep coming back to Schweppes Slimline in 150ml tins. Consistent/crisp/neutral and it lets the gin do the talking.
 
I'm not a gin drinker. Loved the microscopic discussion of tonics. Raymond mentioned Warners Tom Collins via M&S. Intrigued I discovered he meant Old Tom ( which does make a Tom Collins). Old Tom predated London Dry as of course gin in 18th century was really rough and needed sweetening with liquorice or Cicely root. Sugar was too expensive. Gin is an important part of our social history. Gin Fizz anybody.
 
I can't help thinking that "artisan" gin has gone too far. Very often what seems to have happened is they have just added flavourings such as rhubarb and additional aromatics and a bit of colour to a basic gin and then whacked on a £15 premium. Call me cynical but I reckon that could be done for pence and if adding decent tonic to it does it really make that much difference to buy the premium stuff?
 
AJ Temple said:
I can't help thinking that "artisan" gin has gone too far. Very often what seems to have happened is they have just added flavourings such as rhubarb and additional aromatics and a bit of colour to a basic gin and then whacked on a £15 premium. Call me cynical but I reckon that could be done for pence and if adding decent tonic to it does it really make that much difference to buy the premium stuff?
Click to expand...
I think you are wrong. Independent gin distilleries are an ongoing represention of our culture. If you live in Monmouthshire you can get Monmouth gin. If you live in Worcester why not blow out £45 on Piston gin. Bourmouth loves its Conker gin. Local pride.
 
I get the concern about “artisan” gins going too far. Some definitely lean into novelty for the sake of it, rhubarb this, glitter that and you can end up with something closer to a liqueur than a proper gin. But every now and then, one of those outliers surprises you by being genuinely exceptional. I usually stick with clean London Dry styles. But there’s a whole world of botanical influence out there and occasionally those international touches that are unobtainable here in the UK.

Case in point: I visited the Dry River Distillery in Canberra. The head distiller used to work at Clonakilla, so expectations were high. To my complete surprise, their Mandarin Gin absolutely bowled me over. It’s made in collaboration with the Lotus restaurant group and takes inspiration from Chinese cuisine, with mandarin peel and Chinese Five Spice and a warm, subtle numbing hit from Szechuan pepper. It sounds over the top, but the balance is spot on. Not cloying, not perfumed. Just properly integrated and aromatic in a grown-up way. On the tasting bench it was mixed with a StrangeLove Coastal Tonic (now owned by Coca-Cola, so possibly changed) which added a savoury lift and kept everything fresh - and I doubt it would have been as good with my Schweppes Slimline from a can!

One of my favourite gin memories is sharing a drink at the swanky Sofitel Sydney Champagne Bar at Pyrmont while watching the fireworks over Darling Harbour with daughter (who had their signature cocktail, a Mistress of Marseille). I was sipping a Four Pillars Navy Strength G&T at a whopping 58.8% (I didn't ask about the tonic) that I'd never drunk before, and honestly the memory still makes me grin. Proof that when a gin is made with thought and restraint, even at a punchy 58.8%, it can still deliver an experience that feels precise, elegant and memorable.

I didn’t get on with any Shiraz-infused gins, which felt more like a less sweet sloe gin to me, but I did enjoy some of the olive-based ones. They reminded me of the Spanish Gin Mare Mr Tilney introduced me to many moons ago. But… I still come home to a proper London Dry, but I’m always up for being surprised.
 
I love G&T when I buy them made by professionals but am always disappointed when I try to make them myself. I suspect I might just be buying too basic gin? Should I go Tanqueray 10 instead of Tanq London Dry? Do I need to go small producer gins instead of big names like Tanqueray or Hendrick's? I suspect I'm being cheap at home and that's never a good idea? :D
 
Saina Nieminen said:
I love G&T when I buy them made by professionals but am always disappointed when I try to make them myself. I suspect I might just be buying too basic gin? Should I go Tanqueray 10 instead of Tanq London Dry? Do I need to go small producer gins instead of big names like Tanqueray or Hendrick's? I suspect I'm being cheap at home and that's never a good idea? :D
Click to expand...
I think that G&Ts always taste better when made by someone else. They don't have to be a pro, but I would guess that would help!
 
Saina Nieminen said:
I love G&T when I buy them made by professionals but am always disappointed when I try to make them myself. I suspect I might just be buying too basic gin? Should I go Tanqueray 10 instead of Tanq London Dry? Do I need to go small producer gins instead of big names like Tanqueray or Hendrick's? I suspect I'm being cheap at home and that's never a good idea? :D
Click to expand...
The tonic is probably more important than the gin. I'm firmly in the non-fancy gin club just as I am certain that the Gin needs to be very alcoholic for this purpose or the mixed drink will not be fizzy enough. Everything needs to be very cold including the glasses, the ice and the wedge of lime.
If you have really good gin then very fizzy soda water makes an excellent substitute for tonic.
 
Ok, here we go! I have a decent local gin and the driest tonic I could easily find (but still with 77 g/l sugar). What are some truly dry or otherwise good tonics so I can start searching for them? Best try first with 1 part gin to 3 parts tonic?


kyrö fentimans.jpg
 
Saina Nieminen said:
Ok, here we go! I have a decent local gin and the driest tonic I could easily find (but still with 77 g/l sugar). What are some truly dry or otherwise good tonics so I can start searching for them? Best try first with 1 part gin to 3 parts tonic?


View attachment 44850
Click to expand...
A classic London Dry gin and tonic should be served absolutely ice cold, crisp and bracing, with no half measures. Use a chilled glass (I use a highball style rather than one of those Copa de Balon bowls), and fill it with large ice cubes. The bigger the better, as they melt more slowly and keep things colder without diluting the drink. I also keep a glass cold in the fridge for emergencies!

Pour in a measured 50ml of proper London Dry gin, then top with freshly opened, decent tonic. About 150ml works for me, or 70ml gin to 200ml tonic if that’s the bottle size you’ve got. A 3:1 tonic-to-gin ratio is about right. Flat tonic is a crime against this drink. Pour it gently down the side of the glass to preserve the bubbles. I don’t usually bother, but you could garnish with a wedge of lime or a twist of lemon if you’re in the mood. Serve immediately, before it starts to warm up.

For Kyro Gin the tonic needs to be dry, clean and not too sweet so it doesn’t trample the foraged botanicals or the rye base. I’m not sure what’s easily available in Finland/Helsinki, but Fever‑Tree Mediterranean or their Naturally Light Tonic (both in 200ml bottles) are worth a try. Anything too sweet will flatten the bright herbal profile.
 
I am relatively unconvinced that tonic does not smother the flavour of gin almost completely, which for me means that the best gin to choose for G&T is the strongest gin for the least money.
 
Thom Blach said:
I am relatively unconvinced that tonic does not smother the flavour of gin almost completely, which for me means that the best gin to choose for G&T is the strongest gin for the least money.
Click to expand...
I think maybe I’ve been overthinking the whole gin and tonic blend. Edit: Your point about the tonic potentially not smothering the gin’s flavour is a fair one. Sometimes the strongest, straightforward gin does the trick best. Funny enough, I recently received a gift from a Chinese military friend, a “2007 Six Famous Tea Mountain” Pu-erh cake from Yunnan. It really surprised me and made me rethink how I approach tea, showing me how a gift like that can open up new experiences in unexpected ways. Maybe that’s a bit like gin and tonic. It’s all about what you’re given and how you choose to enjoy it. At the end of the day, it’s your call and what tastes good to you that counts.
 
Last edited:
Thom Blach said:
I am relatively unconvinced that tonic does not smother the flavour of gin almost completely, which for me means that the best gin to choose for G&T is the strongest gin for the least money.
Click to expand...
I think it depends upon where one’s perspective starts from.
If a GnT is a vehicle to deliver maximum Gin effect with a hint of mixer then you may well be right.
On the other hand if one considers a GnT as blended item and the overall experience is GnT rather than G with a bit of T then Phil’s last couple of posts detail the balance and sometimes magical outcomes when one takes the trouble.
I don’t know if an analogy is pertinent but imagine a Bacon and egg butty where you source great Bacon but a cheap egg, ignoring your sauce preference and use crappy bread.
 
Thom Blach said:
I am relatively unconvinced that tonic does not smother the flavour of gin almost completely, which for me means that the best gin to choose for G&T is the strongest gin for the least money.
Click to expand...
I've always been inclined to agree with this, which I why I think for G&T premium priced gins are over the top. I also firmly believe that if you don't like the tonic on it's own, don't put it in gin: neither will be improved.

In Germany right now we are using San Pellegrino light tonic and have also tried the oakwood tonic they do. Readily available here. In the UK I like Fever Tree.

Something I occasionally do is crush some juniper berries with a mortar and petle and steep them in fresh lemon juice for a day or two in the fridge. Then add just a few drops to the G&T.
 
Raymond Tilney said:
I think it depends upon where one’s perspective starts from.
If a GnT is a vehicle to deliver maximum Gin effect with a hint of mixer then you may well be right.
On the other hand if one considers a GnT as blended item and the overall experience is GnT rather than G with a bit of T then Phil’s last couple of posts detail the balance and sometimes magical outcomes when one takes the trouble.
I don’t know if an analogy is pertinent but imagine a Bacon and egg butty where you source great Bacon but a cheap egg, ignoring your sauce preference and use crappy bread.
Click to expand...
Fair enough, Ray. I think my fundamental issue here is that I like gin (as long as it is firmly and uncomplicatedly juniper flavoured) but I don't really like tonic.
If I want maximum gin effect with a hint of mixer I'll have a Martini,to me a much better and more serious drink though unlike the G&T not one which delivers refreshment. In this case the quality of gin is very important.
 
Thom Blach said:
Fair enough, Ray. I think my fundamental issue here is that I like gin (as long as it is firmly and uncomplicatedly juniper flavoured) but I don't really like tonic.
If I want maximum gin effect with a hint of mixer I'll have a Martini,to me a much better and more serious drink though unlike the G&T not one which delivers refreshment. In this case the quality of gin is very important.
Click to expand...
Tom,
I think it would be true to say that whilst I really enjoy GnT I am not really that keen on Gin.
I have also tried to get to grips with Martini’s but never really enjoyed them.
I suspect that by the time I have an artisan gin with a chosen tonic with some garnish over iceballs it is a long cocktail rather than a spirit with mixer?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top