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.
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
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.
Pour in a tonic that’s sweetened with sugar, not high fructose corn syrup. There are lots of options on the market.
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
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
📖 Recipe
Gin and tonic with lime and mint
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
- 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
Content, recipe, and photos updated May 19, 2021. Originally posted July 13, 2016.
Mary Ann Malinconico
A salute to our soldiers this Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy!
Ginny McMeans
Such a clean and simple recipe. Thanks for the classic recipe!
Macee
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!!
Cadry
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!
Loren
Very well done! Nothing says summer like a Gina and Tonic.
Cadry
Thanks, Loren!