How to Garnish a Gin & Tonic

Gin and tonic is a classic cocktail that is garnished with a wedge of lemon or lime.

The classic gin and tonic cocktail made with gin, tonic water and garnished with a wedge of lemon or lime was originally created as a way to make treatment of malaria with bitter-tasting quinine, which is the main ingredient in tonic water, more enjoyable. Modern tonic water doesn't contain as much of the bitter quinine as it once did, but gin and tonic is still a popular drink and its flavor is enhanced by the tangy citrus garnish on the rim of the glass. Using a lemon or a lime to garnish a gin and tonic is a necessary part of making the drink, but which citrus fruit you use is a matter of personal preference.

Things You'll Need

• Gin and tonic cocktail
• Limes
• Knife
• Lemons

Instructions

1. Rinse a lime under running water.

2. Cut the lime lengthwise into wedges. You could also cut thin, round slices if you prefer.

3. Cut a small slit into the inside of the lime wedge and place it onto the rim of the glass. If you are using a round slice, make a slit from the edge to the center of the lime. Another variation is putting the entire lime wedge or round slice into the completed drink instead of on the rim of the glass.

4. Give your gin and tonic an English twist and garnish it in the same manner with a lemon rather than a lime.

References

• Food Network: The Perfect Gin & Tonic
• Vinotology: Something Completely Different: How To Make A Gin and Tonic
• The Telegraph: Blogs: 150th anniversary of gin and tonic demands a slice of lemon