5 steps to making the perfect gin and tonic at home!
- Be clear
A gin and tonic is a classy drink, and deserves to be treated as such. Forget drinking from your favourite cup- admire your efforts with a simple yet elegant clear glass. You can save the splashing out for the gin- I love these Irvig glasses available for just £1 from Ikea.
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/90258321/
- Chill out
Ever been into a chain pub and been met with a g&t that looks like fizzy water? Ice is the perfect way to mellow a more pungent gin, and makes for a refreshing long drink. Don’t overdo it though- 3-4 ice cubes should be enough to chill your drink without watering it down.
- Experiment
Gin isn’t for everyone, but don’t let mother’s ruin ruin you after the first sip. With dozens of varieties of gins being made widely available in supermarkets, take the time to experiment for an infusion that’s right for you. Whether it’s floral, spiced, citric or fresh, the gin market has a lot to offer, and again, you needn’t break the bank over this tipple. See my next article for my top 5 gins for under £25 a bottle.
- Tone IT down
Once you’ve found your favourite gin, you should find a tonic water which will compliment your drink. I love the Fever-Tree botanical tonic range, as their tonics come in several varieties, including an elderflower infusion, all served in attractive glass bottles. Fever-Tree pride themselves It’s worth spending that bit more on your tonic here, as this can make or break your drink. Fever-Tree tonics are available at Waitrose and other leading supermarkets, in 4 packs of individual sized bottles or in 500ml bottles; perfect for sharing (or for a Friday night in after a long week).
For more information on the Fever-Tree range: http://www.fever-tree.com/our-drinks
Or buy your Fever-Tree tonic from Waitrose online: http://www.waitrose.com/shop/HeaderSearchCmd?searchTerm=fever+tree+tonic&defaultSearch=GR&search
5) The finishing touch
No g&t would be complete without a garnish. There are some obvious pairings, like cucumber with a cucumber-infused gin such as Hendricks, and lime for a fresh gin such as Tanqueray, but for a spiced gin such as Opihr, why not try a slice of orange or even star anise? For the more potent Mediterranean gins such as Gin Mare, try lemon instead of lime. If you’re feeling daring, why not pair with something a little different, like basil, mint or blueberries? Mix it up and enjoy.
image source: WikiHow
Gins referenced and where to buy:
Gin Mare: http://www.ginmare.com/home.php?idioma=en
http://www.waitrose.com/shop/ProductView-10317-10001-136845-Gin+Mare
Hendrick’s: http://uk.hendricksgin.com/
Opihr: http://opihr.com/
http://www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=298599
Tanqueray: http://www.tanqueray.com/en-gb/
http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=256585738
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