Creating the Perfect G&T

When you think gin, it’s almost completely synonymous with two things: Gin & Tonic and Cocktails. 

It’s a quintessential pairing – one that almost no other drink in the world has managed to achieve. So if it’s such a simple concoction, but 3 simple ingredients provide us with an endless amount of options, it’s far from an ordinary drink. Don't believe us? Then you haven't yet tasted The West Winds Broadside Navy Strength Gin & Grapefruit Tonic! 

To better understand the complexity of simple beverage, lets first briefly look at it’s history. 

The story of the Gin & Tonic begins with the East India Trading Company and British Colonial India, when the colonizing British military would mix their quinine with their gin rations to make it more palatable. Quinine was, at the time, used as a preventative medicine or cure for malaria.  

It became the drink of choice and it’s rise in popularity grew as the concoction was carried with Queen Victoria and expatriates returning from India colonies who had developed a taste for the cocktail. 

Originally tonic was a syrup, added to the gin. However as carbonized drinks became available the syrup was turned into a relative of the tonic we recognize today. 

The addition of a lime garnish is thought to have been to ward of scurvy, however it’s more likely that the Gimlet was originally created for this purpose basis anti-scurvy campaigns at the time. 

Either way, the addition of a lime wedge – or any garnish has proven to be delicious addition and the Gin & Tonic as we know it was born. 

The gin and tonic, as it’s namesake, contains four simple ingredients: gin, tonic water, ice and typically garnished with a wedge of lemon or lime. 

It’s simplicity both makes combinations endless, but also means quality ingredients are essential. 

We’re lucky to be in 2018. 

The variety of Craft Gins & Craft Tonics are innumerable, offering us hundreds of choices to create the ‘Perfect G&T.’

The ratio of gin to tonic varies basis the ingredients you use, however we would recommend that a good starting point is 1 part gin to 3 parts tonic.  Always experiment to find your perfect serve. 

Understanding the components

Gin:

There are over a thousand gins available in 2018.
Narrowing down to the gin you like can be aided by looking at the flavour profiles and botanicals in gins to find one you like. Speak to your local bartender, read some gin blogs, experiment. Nothing beats tasting a variety to find brands you enjoy. Obviously we’re biased and recommend Australia’s The West Wind Gins.
(See our previous post on How to Taste Gin in 8 Steps). 

Tonic water:

Choosing the right tonic is as vital as choosing your gin, as it is usually two thirds of the drink. Many people have a strong dislike of Gin and/or tonic due to having drunk cheap gin and poor quality tonics. If you discover that you dislike tonic even after tasting high quality options, you can always substitute the tonic with soda water. 

As of 2017, we have been lucky in China to have seen an increase of premium tonic waters – which use real botanicals rather than artificial flavouring. 

Premium Tonic Options: 

· Fever-Tree offer a large selection of classic and flavoured tonics, including Meditteranean Tonic &
Well-balanced and great variety.

· East Imperial have a wonderful selection of sugar-free, premium tonics with natural infusions – classic and contemporary. Try the Burma Tonic or more modern options of Grapefruit or Yuzu.

· Thomas Henry offers a slightly more bitter choice.

· 1724 Tonic is larger bottles, with a slightly sweeter style of tonic.

· Capi Tonic, from Australia, offers tonic specifically tailored for the modern G&T. 

Glassware: 

Traditionally, the gin & tonic has been served in a high-ball or Collins glass. With the revival of the Gin & Tonic, the Spanish style ‘Copa’ glass (similar to a large red wine glass) has become a more popular option.  

Why the ‘Copa’?

The wider rim and bowl of the glass allows you to better capture the aroma of your drink – in particular when you have tailored garnishes, you’re better able to appreciate the G&T you’ve created. Aroma has a big impact on our perception of flavour, thus both the garnishes and the glass is important in creating your perfect G&T. 

Garnishes:

So which garnish do you pair with your chosen G&T?

Firstly, remember that many garnishes can work with a particular gin, so to decide we need to look at the following:

· What are the botanicals in the gin you’ve chosen?

· Are you looking to accentuate, harness or contrast the flavours?

· What do you have readily available? 

It would be impossible to list each gin alongside the perfect garnish as preferences are so subjective. 

The best gin and tonic, is the one you enjoy!

Below are some examples of different styles of gin and their complement garnish:

*  London Dry gin: citrus (slices, segments, wedges, peel) such as lemon, lime, orange, mandarin, pink grapefruit

* Citrus forward gin: lime, coriander leaf, lemon thyme, thyme, fennel seed, yangmei, mangosteen

* Spicy gin: orange wheel and cloves, cinnamon stick, chinese anise, szechuan peppercorns, juniper berries, ginger

* Savoury gin: rosemary, dill, green capsicum, cherry tomato, jalapeño, coriander seed

* Floral gin: rose buds, chamomile flowers, lavender, berries, black cardamon, goji,

* Herbaceous gin: basil, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, Chinese liquorice root, apple.

* Salty gin: parsley, seaweed, samphire, olive

So what do we recommend? 

We'd love to hear what your favourite Gin & Tonic Combination is! Send us a comment with your favourite Gin + Tonic + Garnish Combination. The person with the most upvotes will win a Gift Pack of 3 x 200ml The West Winds Gins!

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