The Best Gin and Tonic Recipe

How to make a perfect gin and tonic. We share all our tips, including the best gin to use and the ideal ratio of gin to tonic.

The key to a great gin and tonic recipe is to balance the bitterness of the tonic against the gin, never tasting one too much more than the other.

Use a bit more tonic than gin for the best gin and tonic. For one cocktail, I combine 2 ounces of gin with 4 ounces of tonic water, which tastes crisp, refreshing, and not too boozy. For a stronger cocktail, use 3 ounces. I always add lime to my gin and tonics, both a squeeze of fresh lime and a wedge or slice in the glass itself. For more cocktails, see all of our cocktail recipes.

Key Ingredients

• Gin: When making gin and tonics, choose a mid-to-high-shelf gin. A London dry gin (such as Beefeater), Plymouth, or Bombay work really well. London dry gins are more straightforward in flavor, while Plymouth gins are more aromatic. We’ve also used Bombay Sapphire and loved it, but we really enjoy Sapphire’s extra spiciness.
• Tonic water: I prefer the tonic water sold in smaller, single-serving bottles. The tonic will be fresh, and you won’t lose any fizz. Many people swear by Schweppes, but we can’t say we have noticed a difference enough to specify. We particularly enjoy the Fever Tree and Q tonics. For a lower-calorie cocktail, use a light tonic. Just be aware that light tonic has less flavor.
• Lime: A classic gin and tonic needs fresh lime. It should be refreshing and always fresh on flavor. Fresh lime helps with this and brightens everything up. If you don’t have lime, lemon is an excellent substitute.

More Gin Cocktail Recipes