Today is International Gin and Tonic Day, and as my friend Robert Haynes Peterson, the esteemed spirits journalist, notes, with the third Presidential debate going off this evening, no nation is more in need of this perfect drink. Why perfect? Well, the G&T is the quintessential easy sipper. I mean, come on, it only has three ingredients— which puts it on my lazy imbibers all-star list—and two of them are right In the name.
Now, most folks who entertain, and who likes to take a sip now and then, will have a bottle of gin around the house. And even the most abject corner bodega stocks some tonic water and a few limes. That’s all you need to get the party started. But just because the G&T is easy, doesn’t mean that it’s basic. Think of it like your favorite little black dress: you can dress it up, dress it down, transform it to suit your mood or any occasion just by switching up your accessories. In this case the type of gin, the amount, and the kind of tonic you choose. One word of caution: If you’re ordering in a bar it’s better to opt for establishments that use bottled tonic rather than whatever gets sprayed out of the gun (talk about basic).
The Everyday G&T
2 oz. your favorite London dry gin. (Bombay, Tanqueray, etc)
3 oz Q or Fever Tree Tonic Water
1 wedge of lime
Add the gin and tonic to an ice-filled glass . Squeeze the juice from the lime wedge in and then drop the wedge into the glass. Stir and enjoy!
The Unusual G&T
2 parts Hendrick’s Gin
3 parts tonic water
a few thin slices of cucumber
Fill a highball glass with good cubed ice. Combine the gin and tonic and give a gentle stir. Garnish with the cucumber.
The Rare G&T
Four Pillars Gin & Tonic
Being poured in New York City at Dante, Attaboy, and Pouring Ribbons, as well as in some of California’s top watering holes
1.25 oz Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin
3 oz Fever Tree Tonic Water
Orange wedge
In a highball glass, add ice and your citrus. Pour the gin over the ice then top with tonic water.
The Oh You Fancy, Huh? G&T
Dante’s Classic Gin & Tonic
2 oz Fords gin
¾ oz Jack Rudy tonic cordial
Build over ice and top with Perrier. Garnish with lemon wheel, lime wheel, grapefruit slice, orange slice, kumquat, kaffir lime leaf (if available). Spray with jasmine water
