How To Make A Gin & Tonic

It doesn't get much simpler -- or more classic -- the the famed G&T. As you probably already know, the cocktail was introduced by the army of the British East India Company in India.

Need the right gin? See our picks for the best gins for Gin & Tonics!

Need the right tonic? See our picks for the best tonic water for Gin & Tonics!

Table Of Contents

Gin & Tonic Ingredients

  • 2 oz Gin
  • As needed Tonic

Gin & Tonic Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in chilled highball glass.
  2. Add ice.
  3. Garnish with lime wedge and enjoy.

Rate This Recipe:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(78 votes)

Yield: 1 Cocktail
Calories: 172
Updated: 2022-10-28

Listen To Our Cocktail College Gin & Tonic Podcast 

Gin & Tonic Recipe Video

Gin & Tonic FAQ

What is the correct ratio of gin to tonic?

When it comes to making a Gin & Tonic, the ratio between the two is solely dependent on personal preference. Typically, the ratio of gin to tonic is going to sit somewhere between 1:2 and 1:3, so for every two ounces of gin, you’re going to use between four and six ounces of tonic.

Do you chill a gin and tonic?

Yes, you should chill a G&T. The best way to serve a Gin & Tonic is to freeze the glass it prior to serving. The chilled glass, paired with ice, will do a perfect job of keeping your drink nice and cool.

Gin & Tonic Variations To Try:

  • The Gin And Tonic Sorbet - This blended mix of gin, tonic, and your favorite sorbet is an easy, boozy warm weather treat that scales perfectly for parties.
  • The Cranberry Sauce Gin and Tonic Recipe - This crowd-pleasing cocktail is perfect for the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition to the usual suspects (gin, tonic, and lime), this riff introduces cranberry sauce to the recipe, giving it both festive color and taste.
  • The Navy-Strength Botanical Gin & Tonic - A cocktail that harkens back to a time when gin was an essential ration for every sailor, made extra-botanical with a garnish of thyme and black pepper.
  • The Spiked Coffee Tonic Recipe - Sometimes even espresso needs an extra boost. In this case, a generous dose of gin provides the helping hand. Coffee and tonic water is a complex combo but it’s perfect for fans of bittersweet liqueurs like amaro.
  • The Winter Gin & Tonic Recipe - This is a festive recipe that takes a classic and gives it a zesty spin is just the thing for early December.
  • The Pomegranate Gin & Tonic Recipe - Want to add a touch of winter fruit to your classic G&T? This variation is made with London dry gin and a dash of pomegranate.
  • The Breakfast Tonic Recipe - This bright, bracing take on a gin and tonic headlines breakfast at 100 Acres, a seasonal restaurant in Hotel Henry in Buffalo, New York.

Related Reads & Recipes

Learn About Gin

· Gin 101

· Our always updated list of the best Gin to buy right now!

More Gin Recipes To Explore

The Winter Citrus Spritz

The Winter Citrus Spritz:
Put lemons, blood oranges, clementines, and other winter citrus to work in this bright, refreshing spritz. Get the recipe here.

The Alaska

The Alaska:
Like a Martini with a burst of alpine notes, the Alaska provides a great opportunity to explore Chartreuse. Check out the recipe here!

The Turmeric Rickey Cocktail

The Turmeric Rickey Cocktail:
Hailed for its anti-inflammatory properties, and sunny color, turmeric is suddenly everywhere. Emily Saladino uses Von Humboldt's Turmeric cordial to infuse a gin rickey in the light, bright cocktail that's perfect for summer. Get the recipe here!

Grapefruit Negroni Recipe

Grapefruit Negroni Recipe:
This week is Negroni Week. I made this delicious variation to celebrate and recognize one of the most popular classic cocktails of all time.

Tanqueray London Dry Gin Negroni

Tanqueray London Dry Gin Negroni:
The lovely red drink is bitter enough to be interesting yet easy to drink, thanks in large part to Tanqueray London Dry Gin.

The Barrel-Aged Mandarin 75 Recipe

The Barrel-Aged Mandarin 75 Recipe:
This twist on the classic French 75 incorporates mandarin oranges for sweetness and barrel-aged gin for warm, balanced complexity.