Gin & Tonic
Origin
1868
Originated among British officers in colonial India who mixed gin into bitter quinine tonic taken as a malaria prophylactic. First commercial tonic water was patented by Erasmus Bond in 1858; the earliest known printed reference to a 'gin and tonic' as a refresher is in the Oriental Sporting Magazine of 1868.
Variations
- Spanish G&TServe in a copa glass with cucumber, rosemary, and dehydrated orange
- Vodka TonicSwap gin for vodka
Possibly the simplest great cocktail — two ingredients done right.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin
- 4–5 oz Tonic Water
- Lime wedge
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour gin over the ice.
- Top with tonic water.
- Squeeze and drop in a lime wedge.
- Stir gently once.
Tips
- The tonic matters as much as the gin — use a premium tonic.
- Try garnishing with cucumber or rosemary for a twist.
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