A Gin and Tonic is one of the easiest cocktails to make, but the right gin can make a real difference. Some gins are very juniper and citrus, others are quite floral, some have earthy botanicals, others have a distinctly Mediterranean herbaceousness. The tonic water you use and the garnish can have as much effect on the final drink as the gin.
Whether you're after a classic G&T or something a bit more adventurous, there are plenty of gins out there worth trying. From the well-known international brands through to the more up-and-coming Indian craft gins, here are 10 of the best gins for making your G&T, along with pairing suggestions for what to pair each with.
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Tanqueray London Dry is the classic choice for anyone who likes a traditional Gin and Tonic. It's made with the four core botanicals (juniper, coriander, angelica root and licorice) and is a very dry, juniper led gin with a hint of herbal and citrus. Its very straightforward botanical profile makes it extremely versatile.
Bombay Sapphire is the brand with the iconic blue bottle and a recipe based on 10 botanicals (juniper, coriander, lemon peel, cubeb berries, grains of paradise, etc.). The botanicals are vapor infused during the distillation process, which is what gives the spirit its character and balance. It's the citrus, the spice and the herbaceousness that works so well with the classic Indian tonic water. A good garnish would be a lemon wedge or some orange peel to bring out the more vibrant botanical notes.
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Hendrick's is a very different proposition in terms of gin. It's a gin that uses traditional botanicals but with a distinct rose and cucumber character. It's distilled in two different stills and has a very distinctive floral aroma and a very refreshing (and rather odd) flavor. A good quality Indian tonic water (one that doesn't swamp the delicate botanicals of the Hendrick's) works very well. Cucumber slices are a great garnish for a gin and tonic.
Tanqueray No. Ten is a more citrusy London Dry than the original. The botanicals are white grapefruit, lime, orange and chamomile, which give it a very aromatic, bright character along with the usual juniper. For a nice G&T, go with a dry tonic water so that the citrus flavors come through. A grapefruit wedge or twist is a good garnish.
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Beefeater London Dry is a traditional London Dry Gin made from nine botanicals (juniper, Seville orange peel, lemon peel, coriander, angelica root and the like). It's a classic London Dry with the expected juniper, citrus and a touch of spice. It has that classic botanical profile which makes it one of the very best gins for a G&T if you're after a pretty straightforward cocktail. Serve it with classic Indian tonic and a twist of lemon or orange peel.
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Sipsmith London Dry is a classic gin, following the traditional London Dry recipe with juniper, citrus and warming spice as the key components. The botanicals are coriander, angelica, licorice and citrus peels. It's a very well rounded gin which retains the dryness of a London Dry. For the best results use a good quality Indian tonic water and garnish with a fresh lime wedge. The citrus really brings the gin into its own.
The Botanist is made on the Isle of Islay and uses 22 hand-foraged local botanicals in addition to the usual gin ingredients. It's an herbal, floral, and earthy spirit, which is a very interesting drink for those who like a more complex gin. A light, fairly neutral tonic water will allow the botanical character to come through. A splash of fresh rosemary or a twist of lemon will go down well and complement the herbal nature of the tonic without being overly sweet.
Monkey 47 is a German gin using 47 botanicals (including a number of Black Forest–associated ingredients). The result is a very complex gin with a layered profile of citrus, herbs, spice, and floral notes, with juniper being part of the mix. As the gin already has so many botanicals in it, a simple tonic pairing is usually the way to go. A dry Indian tonic water and a bit of grapefruit peel to go with it works very well to complement the citrus and aromatic qualities of the gin.
Gin Mare is inspired by Mediterranean ingredients with Arbequina olives, rosemary, thyme and basil forming the basis of the spirit. The result is a very different kind of gin to the classic citrus led London Dry. For a Mediterranean style G&T, Gin Mare is paired with a fairly neutral tonic water. A sprig of rosemary or a sprig of fresh basil is a good garnish to bring out the herbal character.
Greater Than is an Indian craft gin from Nao Spirits. The botanicals used are juniper, coriander, ginger, lemongrass and citrus peels giving a classic gin profile with a fresh herbal and citrus note. For those looking at Indian craft gin, Greater Than is a very decent option if you're after a simple G&T. Just mix it with your standard Indian tonic water and garnish with lime or a strip of orange peel.
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The right tonic water to choose will depend on the flavor of the gin. Classic Indian tonic water with its characteristic quinine bitterness is generally the tonic of choice with juniper-dominant London Dry gins such as Tanqueray, Beefeater, and Sipsmith.
For floral or citrus-led gins, a lighter tonic is ideal to preserve the more delicate aromas of the spirit. A Mediterranean-style gin will probably be best with a fairly neutral tonic, which doesn't fight with the herbal character. Flavored tonics can be used too; just be wary of the very sweet ones, which can quite easily overpower the more subtle botanical notes.
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There is no such thing as the one best garnish for a gin and tonic. Lime and lemon are the traditional choices as their acidity and aroma work so well with so many of the classic gin styles. Grapefruit is a good match with a citrusy gin, and cucumber is a great accompaniment to Hendrick's.
Herbs like rosemary, thyme and basil can be useful in gins with a savoury or botanical character. Rather than going for a multitude of garnishes, one that complements the ingredients in the gin is generally the way to go and will produce a more balanced drink.
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The best gin for a gin and tonic is very much down to personal preference in terms of the flavors you like. The classic London Dry is going to be a very crisp, juniper-dominant gin. More modern gins are all over the place in terms of flavor profile, with some offering very floral cucumber notes, others more of a Mediterranean herb profile, and a whole raft of other botanical combinations.
Experiment with different gins and tonics, different tonic waters and different garnishes to find the combination that you like. A small change to the tonic or the garnish can make a fairly standard G&T taste very different.
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