Gin & Tonic Ingredients
The gin and tonic is a classic drink, and with three simple ingredients -- gin, tonic and ice -- you'd think there would be little room for creativity. However, some time spent mixing drinks at a party will lead you to discover that ingredient proportions, quality and variations can all affect how the liquid hits the palate on a hot day. Does this Spark an idea?
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Gin
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Juniper is a flavor base for all gins, but the citrus and spice flavors added in varies by brand. A good gin and tonic is usually made with a dry gin; however, the key is balance between the sweetness of the gin's flavors with the bitterness of the tonic. As for the proportion of gin to tonic in the drink, it's a matter of taste: equal parts or 2-to-1 or somewhere in between.
Tonic
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The best tonic to use is that which is closest to true quinine water. Quinine is extracted from cinchona bark and is quite bitter; a quinine tonic contains carbonated water with lemon or lime flavoring. Regular soda won't necessarily cut it. Freshness is key: Use a single serving bottled tonic that you crack open just as you're mixing it up.
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Ice and Garnish
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Chill your gin and tonic glasses and fill them with cold ice before adding in your cocktail. Add a garnish of lime, lemon or a sprig of mint.
Variations
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For a variation on the classic gin and tonic, strain the juice of 10 raspberries into a single-serving cocktail along with 1 tbsp. of lime juice. If you want added sweetness, put in 1/2 tsp. of natural sweetener.
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References
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