Gin and tonic is much more than a simple cocktail: it is a timeless icon born from a fortuitous meeting between two seemingly distant ingredients – gin, a spirit with complex and historical origins, and tonic water, a drink that owes its origins to medicine. In recent years, this cocktail has experienced a true renaissance, thanks to the explosion of the botanical phenomenon and the growing attention towards craftsmanship in mixology .
The history of gin and tonic
Gin , now one of the world's most beloved spirits, has a history that traces its roots to the Netherlands in the 17th century. It was here that " jenever ", a spirit infused with juniper berries , was born, initially used as a medicinal remedy. Jenever was introduced to England during the Thirty Years' War , when British soldiers discovered the alcoholic beverage. During the reign of William III of Orange, gin gained great popularity in England, so much so that it became known as the " Gin Craze ", a time when gin was so widespread that it almost became a social epidemic.
While gin was evolving in Europe, on the other side of the world, tonic water was emerging. In the 18th century, the British Empire expanded into India , where malaria was a serious health threat. To combat the disease, quinine , extracted from the bark of the cinchona tree, was found to be an effective preventative treatment . However, quinine had an extremely bitter taste, which made it difficult to consume .
To make quinine more palatable, the British began mixing it with sugared and carbonated water , creating tonic water. This mix quickly became popular among British officers, but the bitter taste still needed a more palatable note to be appreciated. The solution was to combine tonic water with gin, a drink loved by soldiers.
The modern evolution of the drink
During the 20th century, the gin and tonic cemented itself as a classic in the cocktail world . In the 1950s and 1960s, as cocktail culture reached its peak, the gin and tonic was the drink of choice in many social circles, both in Europe and the United States .
But the real gin renaissance began in the 2000s, with the emergence of numerous microdistilleries around the world. This movement led to the creation of new styles of gin , each with a unique flavor profile, thanks to the use of local and unusual botanicals. No longer limited to the classics juniper, coriander and angelica , contemporary gin can contain a wide range of ingredients, from aromatic herbs and spices , from citrus to flowers .
The importance of botanicals in defining the flavour profile of a gin and tonic cannot be overstated. A gin with notes of lavender and lime, for example, might be enhanced by a delicately floral tonic and a garnish of orange peel and rosemary sprigs. Likewise, a gin with a strong herbal character might find its ideal partner in a tonic with hints of aromatic herbs and a garnish of cucumber and mint.
Gin Tonic Recipe and Doses
Making your own gin is a great option for those who want to customize their gin and tonic to the max. A 1:2 ratio of gin to tonic (50ml gin and 100ml tonic) produces a more intense drink , while a 1:3 ratio (50ml gin and 150ml tonic) creates a lighter, more refreshing gin and tonic.
How to make gin at home?
- Neutral Alcohol Base : Start with a high-quality neutral alcohol, such as vodka, for infusion.
- Key Botanicals : Juniper is the key ingredient that must always be present to achieve the characteristic flavour of gin.
- Additional Botanicals : This is where you can really get creative. Botanicals you can add include coriander, angelica root, citrus peel, cardamom , pink peppercorns, lavender , cinnamon, star anise , licorice.
- Preparation : Pour about 500 ml of neutral alcohol into a clean, dry glass jar.
- Adding Botanicals : Add the juniper berries and other botanicals of your choice.
- Infusion : Seal the jar and leave to infuse in a cool, dark place for 24-48 hours, shaking occasionally to mix the botanicals.
- Straining : Once the gin has reached the desired flavor intensity, strain the liquid through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to remove the botanicals.
- Bottling : Pour the infused gin into a clean bottle and seal it. Your artisanal gin is now ready to use!
Tonic water
Tonic water is the element that complements and balances the gin in the cocktail, so the quality of this drink is crucial to a successful gin and tonic. Not all tonics are created equal; they vary in sweetness, bitterness, and intensity of flavor.
- Classic Tonic : A traditional tonic, with a good balance between bitter and sweet. Its delicate bitterness pairs well with most gins.
- Herbal or Citrus Infused Tonics : These tonics, infused with additional flavors like rosemary, thyme, grapefruit, or lemon, can bring out particular botanical notes in the gin, creating a richer, more complex cocktail.
- Light Tonic : If you want a less sweet and drier gin and tonic, you can opt for a light tonic, with a lower sugar content, which highlights the fresher and more tart notes of the gin.
The ice
Ice is often overlooked , but it is one of the most important ingredients for a good gin and tonic. Quality ice, clear and solid , cools the drink without watering it down too much. Here are some tips:
- Use large, solid ice cubes : Large cubes melt more slowly, keeping the gin and tonic fresh and less diluted.
- Avoid crushed ice : It melts too quickly, watering down the cocktail and compromising the flavor.
- If possible, use filtered ice : Ice made with filtered or distilled water prevents any impurities from affecting the flavour of the gin and tonic.