Refresh your cocktail repertoire with this classic gin and tonic. Crisp gin, bubbly tonic water, and bright lime juice make a simple, elegant drink that works for casual get-togethers or more formal occasions.
I’ve mixed plenty of gin and tonics over the years, often squeezing just a wedge of lime into the glass. It was never my absolute favorite—until a weekend at my brother’s house changed my mind.
He made a gin and tonic for happy hour and one sip made me say, “Double yum.” The difference was obvious: more fresh lime juice and a good tonic.
Since then I’ve made the cocktail that way and everyone who tries it likes it. The extra lime makes the drink especially refreshing and thirst-quenching. If you’re serving a crowd, you might choose a standard tonic, but for smaller gatherings I prefer a premium tonic—Fever-Tree is my go-to.
Helpful tips
- Use regular tonic water rather than diet. The sugar in tonic balances the botanicals in gin; artificial sweeteners in diet versions can change the taste.
- Try a premium tonic water such as Fever-Tree for a cleaner, more aromatic finish.
- Pick a dry London-style gin you enjoy. I like Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray, and Hendrick’s, but any dry gin works well.
- Wash citrus before juicing or adding wedges to the glass.
- How to wash citrus: Either scrub fruit under running water with a vegetable brush using an unscented hand soap and rinse well, or soak in a bowl with 3 cups water and 1 cup white vinegar for 10 minutes, then rinse and scrub.
- Garnish to complement the gin’s botanicals: rosemary, thyme, mint, sage, a lemon or grapefruit slice, or warming spices like cinnamon or star anise.
- To serve a few people, shake the gin with lime juice in a cocktail shaker. For a single drink you can simply build it in the glass.
How to make a gin and tonic cocktail
Pre-step
Gather a measuring glass, a citrus squeezer, and a double old fashioned (rocks) glass. Fill the glass with ice; measure ingredients and add to the glass or shaker as directed.
Step one
Ingredients: dry gin, fresh lime, and tonic water.
Step two
Measure 2 ounces of gin.
Step three
Squeeze about 1/2 ounce (the juice of half a lime) into the glass or shaker.
Step four
Stir briskly with a bar spoon if building in the glass, or shake briefly if using a shaker.
Step five
Top with tonic water to fill the glass—about 5 ounces depending on the size of your glass and how strong you like it.
Step six
Squeeze two lime wedges into the drink, drop them in as garnish, and give the cocktail one gentle stir.
Take a sip, pause, and enjoy—this simple combination is surprisingly satisfying.
I hope you enjoy this version of the gin and tonic as much as I do.
Other delicious lime cocktails
- French gimlet
- Cucumber dill martini
- Woo woo
- Cucumber gimlet
- Last word
And as always, may your drinks be delish!
Gin and Tonic Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dry gin
- .50 ounce lime juice freshly squeezed
- 5 ounces tonic water
Garnish
- 2 wedges lime
Instructions
-
Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with ice (or fill the glass with ice if building in the glass).
-
Add gin and fresh lime juice, cap the shaker, and shake for about 10 seconds (or stir in the glass).
-
Pour the contents into your glass and top up with tonic water.
-
Squeeze two lime wedges into the drink and drop the wedges into the glass. Add extra ice if needed.
-
Sip.
-
Smile.
-
Enjoy.
Equipment
Notes
- Use regular tonic water for the best flavor balance; diet tonics often taste noticeably different.
- Wash citrus before juicing or adding wedges to the drink.
- Here’s how: scrub citrus under running water with a vegetable brush using unscented soap and rinse, or soak in 3 cups water with 1 cup white vinegar for 10 minutes, then rinse and scrub.