Gin and Tonic

The gin and tonic (otherwise known as a G&T) is an iconic and classic cocktail that can be mastered in a matter of minutes. The recipe itself is simple, yet with so few ingredients, it’s important to choose your gin, tonic, and garnish carefully. I’ll walk you through how to make one at home and how to customize the drink to suit your taste preferences. 

• Gin: This botanical spirit has flavor profiles that can vary greatly depending on the brand and style. Traditional London dry gins are characterized by their juniper-forward flavor profile. Other more modern gins often dial down the juniper and instead focus on citrus and florals. It is a worthwhile venture to try several before discovering your personal favorite. 
• Tonic water: Not all tonic waters are created equal. Some of the more mass-market and lower-priced ones are overly sweet and syrupy. Higher quality brands are dry with bitter notes from the quinine that pair perfectly with the piney juniper flavor in the gin. There are even light versions for the calorie-conscious. No matter what, make sure the tonic water is well-chilled before playing bartender.  
• Citrus garnish: A wedge of lime is the most classic choice, but lemon or even grapefruit are great options as well. Not only does the garnish add a burst of color to the drink but a quick squeeze from the citrus brings just enough flavor to make all the components shine. 

This ubiquitous cocktail has its roots in British history. Soldiers stationed in India were given a less-than-delicious medicinal dose of quinine water to ward off malaria. They soon discovered mixing tonic with a ration of gin made it go down much easier.

• As a nod to its British heritage, gin and tonics pair well with cucumber finger sandwiches as a light afternoon snack. 
• If you are looking to enjoy a G&T before dinner, try serving them alongside a charcuterie board. The effervescence of the cocktail counterbalances the richness of the meats and cheeses. 
• A crisp gin and tonic is also well-suited for spicy cuisine. Try sipping one while enjoying something with significant heat, such as Pork Vindaloo.