The perfect gin and tonic

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.

How to make a gin and tonic with lime and mint

Here’s what you’ll 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

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 2 votes

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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.