Mixing Up a Gin and Tonic

You may have noticed that the cocktail culture is exploding with creativity these days. Many bars and restaurants are featuring high-quality cocktails made with fresh fruit juices, exotic spice mixtures, and unusual flavor combinations. Joe Canal’s carries an ever-growing list of quality gin to help you learn how to make a great gin and tonic. You may have a favorite way to mix up this popular cocktail, but we encourage our customers to go ahead and try new ingredients and recipes.

The Main Ingredients for Gin and Tonic Cocktails

Before we start experimenting, perhaps it’s better to engage with perfecting the gin and tonic. This cocktail is simplicity itself, right? Not so fast! Sometimes the simplest recipes require more care. Gin is a spirit made with juniper berries. These add a refreshing hint of forest scents to the cocktail. Taste test a few different brands to find the one you prefer. After you’ve chosen your favorite gin, you must move on to tasting for the right tonic water.

What Is Tonic Water?

The association of gin and tonic with British history stems from the period of colonial rule in India. Quinine, which comes from the bark of Cinchona trees, was thought to have antimalarial properties. To make drinking this bitter tonic water more palatable, it was mixed with sugar and carbonated. Nowadays, there are several brands of tonic water available.

As you choose the perfect bottle of gin and brand of tonic water, you will realize that gin and tonic aren’t the only ingredients in the cocktail. The gin has juniper flavorings, tonic water introduces both bitterness and sweetness, as well as fizzy carbonation. Yet another key ingredient for a classic, delicious gin and tonic cocktail is ice. The drink should be well chilled.

Ratios and Methods for Gin and Tonic Cocktails

Finding the right ratio of glass-spirit-mixer-ice-garnish is how to make a great gin and tonic cocktail. Some of this can be determined through experimentation, but there are some guidelines to help. Most recipes suggest a ratio of one part gin to three parts tonic water. In other words, if you add one ounce of gin to the glass, use three ounces of tonic water.

The size of the glass is another consideration. Make sure your ratios take the volume of the glass into account. It should be able to hold enough ice to keep the cocktail chilled from the first sip to the last drink. Many of our customers prefer a narrow tall glass, but others may choose wide-mouthed glasses to better experience the aroma of the gin and tonic cocktail.

Suggested methods for mixing up a gin and tonic involve keeping all the ingredients cold:

• Start with ice, fill up the glass
• Add the gin so that it can become cold
• Pour in the tonic and make sure it has some good fizz
• Garnish with slices of lime or fragrant leaves and sprigs
• Serve immediately

Plan a Gin and Tonic Party with Help from Joe Canal’s

Get help with your party planning at Joe Canal’s. We love to help our customers plan the perfect bash. You might consider featuring a gin and tonic tasting at your party, it will help you develop the best gin and tonic cocktail for your taste, and it’s fun to include your guests. You can also experiment with different flavors and additions if you want to get away from the simplicity of the classic combination.

Depending on tastes, you might try adding flavors of celery, chilis, herbs, and fruit, including apple, grapefruit, tomato, black cherry, orange, or guava. Be sure to balance any additions with enough gin and tonic to maintain the integrity and recognizability of the cocktail.

Find Your Best Gin and Tonic at Joe Canal’s

With a broad selection of spirits, including many fine gins, you will find what you need for your best gin and tonic cocktail at Joe Canal’s, serving Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Whether you’re mixing up a cocktail after work on Friday or creating a gin and tonic experience for your next gathering, we can help. Contact us today.