Best Gin and Tonic
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Mar 24, 2025 
How to Make the Best Gin and Tonic Recipe – This classic gin and tonic cocktail recipe is always a hit! Make it with quality gin and a twist of lime for a refreshing drink that’s fitting for any occasion.
Why We Love This Gin and Tonic Recipe
The classic Gin and Tonic is such a simple and refreshing beverage. However, so many people mess it up! Today, we’re talking about what makes the BEST gin and tonic recipe: the proper ratio, the kind of gin you should use, the kind of tonic you should use, appropriate garnishes, and more.
With just a couple of simple ingredients, you too, can make the absolute best gin & tonic cocktail at home!
What Is The Best Gin For Gin And Tonic?
When I come across someone that doesn’t like the taste of gin, I often wonder what brands they have tried.
Good gin should have a light clean citrus flavor with a slight herbal evergreen note, from the addition of juniper berries. It should be smooth, delicate, and refreshing. (So no, it should not taste like Pine-Sol.)
Therefore, when you’re making a cocktail that only requires three ingredients – gin, tonic water, and lime – it’s important to pick a really good gin and a really good tonic water.
Although there are many good gins out there, the one that I consider my go-to for the perfect gin and tonic is Hendrick’s Gin. This is a gin you should be able to find anywhere in the United States. If you happen to live in a region that has good local distilleries it’s worth giving them a try as well. We often buy The Botanist or Uncle Val’s gin here in the Southeast.
What Kind of Tonic Water is Best for Gin & Tonic?
The same goes for tonic water. Tonic water is essentially carbonated water with a touch of quinine to give it a slightly bitter mineral flavor. However, as with anything else, some of them taste better than others.
My personal favorite, which you should be able to find nationwide, is called Fever Tree. Again, if you have a great local wine or cocktail market, you may find some artisanal tonic waters that are fun to experiment with.
So essentially, the best drink is made with equal parts gin and tonic and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. That’s it!
Ingredients You Need
- Dry gin – make sure you use a premium variety
- Tonic water – use a premium tonic water
- Lime slices – you can also use lime wedges
How to Make the Best Gin and Tonic
- Get a lowball glass and fill it in halfway with ice cubes.
- Pour in 3 ounces of your favorite gin and 3 ounces of tonic water. Give one slice of a lime a good squeeze over the glass, then toss it in. Stir everything together to chill and combine.
- Finish by garnishing with the second slice of lime.
Get the Complete (Printable) Best Gin and Tonic Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Serve your gin & tonic ice-cold in a lowball or highball glass, or even a copa glass for a classic presentation. For a refreshing twist, you can also chill your glass in the freezer beforehand to keep your drink cooler longer!
The light, crisp, and slightly citrusy flavors go well with lighter foods and snacks that your guests will also love.
A few of our favorites for “fancy” yet casual gatherings are Clams Casino, Maryland Crab Cakes (Baked or Sauteed), Salmon Sushi Bake, Whipped Ricotta (Sweet and Savory Options), Mini Cheese Balls, Ultimate Steak Tartare Recipe (Beef Tartare), and Antipasto Platters.
And seafood dishes in particular are delicious to pair with this classic cocktail! Enjoy your gin and tonic with Fish Ceviche (Ceviche de Pescado), Lobster Tostadas, Seared Scallops with Wilted Greens, or Garlic Lime Oven Baked Salmon.
Recipe Variations
If you go to restaurants, you will often see fancy gin and tonics topped with all sorts of garnishes! You might try juniper berries, of course, thinly sliced cucumbers, mint leaves, edible flowers, other fresh citrus like lemon or a grapefruit slice, and other fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary.
We’ve made our best gin and tonic recipe drinks shown here with juniper berries, because we had them on hand. None of these things actually flavor the gin and tonic much and make it taste better than it would as a standalone cocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
As for glassware, you can serve a gin and tonic in any kind of glass, a highball glass, a lowball rocks glass, or a wide-stemmed Copa-style glass.
I personally like to select a shorter glass with a wide rim over a highball glass. This helps release the aroma of the gin and the tonic water, resulting in a better overall experience.
This gin cocktail will taste significantly better with tonic water! Tonic water and soda water are not the same thing. Soda water is simply carbonated water, whereas tonic water adds some sugar for extra flavor!
The recipe portions here are to make 1 drink. Keep the gin and tonic ratio the same and multiply by however many drinks you need.
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The Best Gin and Tonic Recipe + VIDEO
Video
Ingredients
- 3 ounces good gin like Hendrick’s
- 3 ounces good tonic water like Fever Tree
- 2 lime slices
- Optional garnishes: juniper berries cucumber slices, mint, or edible flowers
Instructions
- Set out a lowball glass and fill it in half full with ice.
- Add 3 ounces of gin and 3 ounces of tonic. Squeeze one lime slice into the glass then drop in the slice. Stir well.
- Garnish with a second lime slice. All other garnishes are optional.
This was such a good drink, I will definitely have to have it on New Year’s Eve.
Such a pretty and festive drink for NYE!!