Hello, hello! Friday is here, and we at Paulina Cocina know it. That's why we're here with the recipe for a legendary cocktail beloved by many: the Gin and Tonic . It's the perfect combination of a cold glass, gin, and tonic , and we love it—and who doesn't?
That's why today we're sharing the original recipe for this drink. What are the measurements for the perfect gin and tonic? What kind of glass should I serve it in? Too much ice? Too little ice? You don't have to worry anymore because we're experts in creating quick, easy, and delicious drinks for any occasion.
Gin and tonic has its tricks, and we'll tell you all about them here.
About gin and tonic
The history of this emblematic cocktail
We could start the story of this drink by telling where gin came from , or how tonic water originated … and both are very interesting stories.
One version tells us that it all began in 1800 when a German named Johann Schweppe had the wonderful idea of mixing carbon dioxide bubbles with water. Years later, quinine was added, and the tonic was born—a marvel.
It was a hit, everyone loved it, and it became an everyday drink. Later, under the guise of making it "easier to drink ," they mixed it with gin and lime wedges. I'm not judging them.
Now, another story takes us back to the 1570s, when gin was already known as “aqua juniperi” and was actually sold in pharmacies to treat various ailments.
There's another story that takes us back to 1825 in India , where they apparently had already found the perfect formula for a very pleasant drink. They dissolved quinine tablets in water, along with lime juice, sugar, and gin. What they didn't know was that they had invented the iconic Gin and Tonic.
How to choose a good glass for our gin and tonic
We're not going to fail in this because many consider that the basis for making a good drink begins with choosing the ideal glass or cup.
For this drink, we're going to use a round glass, the famous balloon glass . If we can't find one, we'll use a wide glass as a second option, like the one your aunt drinks cider from.
Why do they have to have these characteristics?
- First, we look for a glass with a good capacity that allows us to put all the ice we need and still have all the gin and tonic.
- We are also interested in its wide mouth , so we give it room to release all its aromas and flavors .
- The last feature is that this type of glasses have a stem, from which we can hold the glass without heating the drink .
Please don't make this drink in a highball glass; we already know those have everything wrong with them. The capacity is too small, we can't fit all the ice, the shape always forces us to grab it with our whole hand (and warm the drink), and the mouth is so small that it limits us from enjoying all the aromas. Well, we already know it's not like that.
When flavoring a Gin Tonic
And we'll pause here because I think the flavoring is an essential part of the drink . Gin already has its own aromatic profile, so we don't need to add hundreds of spices that will only mask its flavor.
The best way to flavor our drink is to do it very gently, without adding too much and avoiding finding too large pieces when drinking.
Flavoring with the fresh and juicy peel of a citrus fruit is the perfect way to perfume any gin and tonic.
A different version, cucumber and mint Gin Tonic.
If you're interested in trying other versions of this drink and enjoy experimenting , I suggest preparing a different gin and tonic . This version is a classic, and we make it in a very similar way, but with a gin that has a fresh cucumber flavor. Some people also prepare it with elderberry-flavored tonic water .
All that's left to do is garnish it with fresh mint and thin slices of cucumber . I also recommend adding a few leaves of rosemary or basil .
With everything written down and ready, let's make that recipe that we're all craving at this point.
Until next time!
Yami.
Gin Tonic Recipe
Ingredients for 1 glass
- 50 cc of gin
- 100 cc of tonic water
- Ice
- 1 Lima
How to make a magical gin and tonic in 4 steps
- Fill the glass ¾ full with ice and stir a little to chill it.
- Cut the lime in half and then cut one half into slices, reserving these for garnish.
- Drain the excess water from the glass and squeeze ½ lime into it. Pour the 50 ml of gin into the glass.
- Finally, turn the glass on its side and add the tonic little by little. Garnish with the ¼ lime and swirl.
They mix Gin with gin in the recipe and they are two different drinks
What is the capacity of the cup?