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    The perfect gin and tonic (with lime and mint)

    Published: May 19, 2021 · Modified: Apr 7, 2022 by Cadry Nelson
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my Privacy Policy for more details.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Text overlay: The perfect gin and tonic. Hand squeezing lime into drink.

    How do you make the perfect gin and tonic? It’s all about the details in this classic cocktail. To bring that summer drink to life, add fresh mint and a squeeze of lime.

    Hand swiping lime wedge around rim of gin and tonic drink.

    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 coating your mouth with a layer of syrup.

    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.

    Step by step instructions

    Glasses with ice cubes on tray by mint leaves, gin, lime wedges, and can of tonic water.

    Here are the ingredients you will need: gin, tonic, lime wedges, fresh mint, and ice cubes.

    For the glasses, I recommend a rocks glass or high ball glass.

    For the perfect gin and tonic, start with fresh mint leaves. Add a couple of clean leaves to a glass and muddle them in the bottom.

    Then toss in two or three standard-sized ice cubes or one over-sized ice cube.

    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.

    Add a shot of gin.

    Tonic being poured into G&T.

    Pour in a tonic that’s sweetened with sugar, not high fructose corn syrup. There are lots of options on the market.

    Fingers swiping lime wedge around rim of cocktail glass.

    Finally, finish off the drink with two wedges of lime. Squeeze both of them into the drink.

    Then give the rim a swipe with the fruit of the lime. That way with the first sip, you get an extra hit of lime.

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

    Make it your own

    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 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

    Overhead try with cocktails, lime wedges, and gin.

    What to serve with gin and tonic

    Gin and tonic goes well with summery foods that have notes of citrus and fresh herbs. Dishes that work well include:

    • Veggie fajitas
    • Roasted cauliflower steaks with cilantro chimichurri
    • Hearts of palm ceviche
    • Vegan bánh mì
    • Grilled tofu with lemon & rosemary

    Its crisp, effervescent bite also cuts through fried foods like:

    • Jalapeño poppers
    • Fried artichoke hearts
    • Fried olives
    • Fried squash blossoms
    • Vegan crab cakes
    • Fried vegan shrimp

    Fingers squeezing lime over gin and tonic with mint.

    Hand swiping lime wedge around rim of gin and tonic drink.

    Gin and tonic with lime and mint

    When the weather gets muggy, gin and tonic is the perfect cocktail to quench your thirst. It's simple to make. Take it to the next level with the addition of fresh mint leaves, a squeeze of lime, and fresh lime juice around the glass rim.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drink
    Cuisine: Alcoholic
    Keyword: cocktail, gin
    Prep Time: 3 minutes
    Total Time: 3 minutes
    Servings: 1 people
    Calories: 147kcal
    Author: Cadry Nelson

    Ingredients

    • 2 fresh mint leaves
    • 2 to 3 ice cubes
    • 1 shot gin
    • 4 to 6 ounces tonic water
    • 2 lime slices

    Instructions

    • Muddle two fresh mint leaves in a rocks glass or highball glass.
    • Add 2 to 3 ice cubes and a shot of gin. Fill the glass the rest of the way with 4 to 6 ounces of tonic water.
    • Squeeze in two lime slices. Before putting the last lime slice in the drink, swipe the fruit around the rim of the glass.

    Notes

    Drink variations:
    • Replace gin with vodka for a vodka tonic
    • To lessen the sweetness, cut some 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

    Nutrition

    Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Sodium: 25mg | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag @cadryskitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #cadryskitchen!

    Content, recipe, and photos updated May 19, 2021. Originally posted July 13, 2016.

    The perfect gin and tonic with fresh mint and lime | cadryskitchen.com

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    Comments

    1. Loren

      July 14, 2016 at 8:27 am

      Very well done! Nothing says summer like a Gina and Tonic.

      Reply
      • Cadry

        July 15, 2016 at 10:19 am

        Thanks, Loren!

        Reply
    2. Macee

      July 23, 2016 at 9:38 am

      Have you ever tried a tonic syrup? Here’s my favorite–a “Pullman G&T”:
      1.5 gin
      .5 tonic syrup
      .5 st germain
      Fill with soda and tonic water
      Squeeze of lime
      So yummy!!

      Reply
      • Cadry

        July 30, 2016 at 4:19 pm

        Oh, this sounds right up my alley! I’d never heard of tonic syrup, but I just looked it up. It could be a great addition to my pantry. Thanks!

        Reply
    3. Ginny McMeans

      September 02, 2018 at 8:38 pm

      5 stars
      Such a clean and simple recipe. Thanks for the classic recipe!

      Reply
    4. Mary Ann Malinconico

      May 24, 2020 at 3:04 pm

      5 stars
      A salute to our soldiers this Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy!

      Reply

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    I’m a longtime vegan. (15 years!) But I grew up eating a Standard American Diet. I know that all of us crave foods that are familiar, comforting, and delicious.

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