How do you make the perfect gin and tonic with mint and lime? It's all about the details in this classic cocktail.

Adding muddled mint and a squeeze of lime brings the drink to life. Perfect for summer sipping!

Hand running cut edge of lime around rocks glass of G&T.

When I'm in the mood for a warm weather cocktail that’s cool and refreshing, I turn to a crisp gin and tonic.

With fresh mint and a squeeze of lime, it has just enough sweetness to put you in a lounging on the patio mood, but without overwhelming.

Since the two main ingredients are right there in the name, making a classic gin and tonic is easy. However, the magic is in the details.

In this post:

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Why readers love this G&T recipe
Ingredients
Step by step instructions
Gin and tonic variations
📖 Recipe

Why readers love this G&T recipe

“Such a clean and simple recipe. Thanks for the classic recipe!” – Ginny

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this recipe.

Mint: Fresh mint, muddled right in the glass, brings a vibrant aromatic freshness to every sip.

Gin: Look for a gin with a smooth, balanced profile that won't overpower.

New Amsterdam and Aviation are widely available and blend beautifully in this style of cocktail. For a craft option, River Rose Gin from LeClaire, Iowa offers a unique, floral twist.

Tonic: For the cleanest flavor, choose a tonic that’s naturally sweetened with sugar, not high fructose corn syrup. Fever-Tree and Whole Foods’ 365 tonic water are my go-to options.

Lime: Freshly squeezed is a must.

Step by step instructions

This section shows how to make this recipe at a glance with process photos of the steps. For complete ingredient amounts & instructions, keep scrolling to the recipe card below.

4-panel collage showing how to make gin and tonic: add gin, tonic, squeeze of lime, and swipe edge of glass rim with cut lime slice.

1. Muddle fresh mint leaves in a rocks glass (or high ball glass) with ice. Then add a shot of gin.

Extra large ice cubes work great in this drink, because they cool quickly & melt slowly. That way your cocktail won't get diluted before you finish it.

2. Add tonic water.

3. Squeeze fresh lime juice into the glass.

4. Swipe the glass rim with the cut edge of the lime for extra tang as you sip.

(Need another use for that bottle of gin? Make an orange creamsicle drink!)

Gin and tonic variations

Overhead fresh mint leaves and lime wedges floating in gin and tonic glasses by jigger of gin.

You can make this cocktail your own with a few simple tweaks.

Replace gin with vodka for a vodka tonic
To lessen the sweetness, cut some or all of the tonic water with sparkling water
Instead of a squeeze of lime, use lemon, orange, or grapefruit
Instead of mint, use rosemary
For a fruitier drink, replace mint with muddled sliced peaches, mangoes, cucumbers, or raspberries

Hand squeezing lime wedge into glass of gin and tonic with mint.

Crisp gin and tonic with glass straw on table by fresh mint leaves, lime, and jigger of gin.

If you try this recipe and love it, let me know! Leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comment section below. It truly makes my day and is such a help!

📖 Recipe