| Drink | Gin & Tonic (G&T), a highball with gin and tonic water |
| Base | Gin, tonic water and ice |
| In our recipe | 1 part ELG Gin and 2 to 3 parts tonic, lots of large ice cubes |
| Garnish | Fresh juniper berries, a carrot stick or a dried lemon wheel (for ELG Gin No.1) |
| Served | In a large glass |
| Classic ratio | 30 ml gin to 60 ml tonic, with a lime wedge |
| Oldest known mention | 1868, Oriental Sporting Magazine in Calcutta |
| Tonic | Erasmus Bond patented the first tonic on 28 May 1858 |
How to make a Gin & Tonic
Fill the glass with large ice cubes. Add the gin and stir for a good while with a stirring spoon, so the contact between ice and gin releases the spicy aromas. Add the tonic and finally your garnish. Large ice cubes have less surface area for their size and melt more slowly, so the drink does not get watered down.
Gin and tonic history: malaria or marketing?
The best known story is that British soldiers in India mixed bitter quinine tonic with gin to make the malaria medicine easier to take. It is a nice story, but there is no proof of it. Cocktail Society finds no written source for the tale that the East India Company invented the drink in 1825, and points out that tonic did not exist then. The first thing we can document is a magazine from Calcutta from 1868 that mentions "gin and tonic" in connection with horse races. In 1875 a gin and tonic is listed among an army officer's daily habits in the Medical Press, and according to the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails it was "the drink most patronised in India" by 1881. Early sources describe it as a refreshment, not a medicine, so the malaria story is probably a later marketing tale.
About gin and tonic at Whisky.dk
Here at Whisky.dk we love gin and tonic. That's why we've put together a large selection of the best gin brands and tonic waters, as well as an exclusive selection of Danish gin. We want to share our passion and love for gin and tonic, so sit back and enjoy our gin and tonic universe.
Gin originates from the Netherlands and is a contraction of the French word for juniper. People started mixing alcohol with juniper berries in the 1600s and it was used to treat kidney pain. This spread to England and the English soldiers took a liking to it. The gin was later sold in pharmacies and used for ailments. Today, gin is known for its use in drinks such as gin and tonic, dry Martini and Tom Collins.
Quinine and tonic: when did tonic water arrive?
Quinine comes from cinchona bark from South America and was first isolated in 1820 by Caventou and Pelletier. On 28 May 1858 Erasmus Bond patented quinine soda water, which he called Quinine Tonic Water. In the early 1870s competitors such as Schweppes Indian Tonic Water appeared. Tonic was mostly sold in India and the British tropical colonies, and was rare elsewhere until the 1920s. The drink reached the USA in the mid-1930s, and Ian Fleming let James Bond drink it in "Dr. No" in 1958.
| | Our recipe / classic recipe |
| Gin | 1 part ELG Gin / 30 ml gin |
| Tonic | 2 to 3 parts to taste / 60 ml, so 2 parts |
| Ice | Lots of large ice cubes / ice |
| Garnish | Juniper, carrot or dried lemon / lime wedge (lemon in the UK) |
| Glass | Large glass / highball |
You can adjust the amount of tonic to how strong you like your G&T. Our recipe has a little more tonic than the classic one.
Tips for your Gin & Tonic
Choose the garnish to suit the gin: with ELG Gin No.1, fresh juniper berries, a carrot stick or a dried lemon wheel suit it. Use large ice cubes and a large glass. See our selection of tonic water and Danish gin. Read also which tonic suits which gin, or try our Gin Tonic Cheesecake. If you like gin with egg and lemon, try our Gin Fizz, or Gin Hass with mango.
Our verdict on the Gin Tonic
A Gin & Tonic is a simple drink where the gin and the tonic are what count. With a Danish gin like ELG and a good tonic, not much else is needed. Stir for a good while, use large ice cubes and choose the garnish to suit the gin.
Frequently asked questions about the Gin Tonic recipe
What is a Gin & Tonic?
A highball of gin and tonic water served over ice, often with a lime wedge or lemon. Abbreviated G&T.
What goes into a Gin & Tonic?
In our recipe it is 1 part ELG Gin, 2 to 3 parts tonic, lots of large ice cubes and a garnish that suits the gin.
What is the right ratio in a Gin & Tonic?
The classic ratio is 1 part gin to 2 parts tonic, for example 30 ml gin to 60 ml tonic. We use 2 to 3 parts tonic to taste.
When was the Gin & Tonic invented?
The oldest known mention is from 1868 in Oriental Sporting Magazine in Calcutta. It probably comes from British India in the late 1800s.
Was the Gin & Tonic invented against malaria?
It is a widespread story, but there are no sources for it. Early mentions describe the drink as a refreshment, not a medicine.
Who invented tonic water?
Erasmus Bond patented the first quinine soda water on 28 May 1858. Schweppes Indian Tonic Water came in the early 1870s.
Which garnish should I use in a Gin & Tonic?
It depends on the gin. For ELG Gin No.1 we recommend fresh juniper berries, a carrot stick or a dried lemon wheel. A lime wedge is classic, and in the UK lemon is more common.
Why use large ice cubes?
They melt more slowly because they have less surface area, so the drink does not get watered down.
What is a Danish Gin & Tonic?
A G&T made with Danish gin, for example ELG Gin. We have a large selection of Danish gin.
Where does gin come from?
According to the text above, originally from the Netherlands, and the name is a contraction of the French word for juniper.
Read more about gin cocktails
Find more gin recipes here at Whisky.dk, or see all our drink recipes. You can also read Cocktail Society on the history of the gin and tonic.
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