Brian Nagele
Gin has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Although famous for its simplicity, the classic Gin and Tonic can come to life with different types of gins and ingredients. The best thing about G&Ts is how easily you can tweak the traditional recipe to create new flavor profiles whether it’s through the specific tonic you use, the citrus, or, most importantly, the type of gin.
There has never been a better time to enjoy gin and tonic than right now. We are inundated with choices of gin from all over the world. Each is unique and made with different botanicals. Of course, juniper remains the most popular and predominant flavor in most gins but there are so many other flavors to experience.
With so many gins to choose from, we have researched and come up with the top 12 gins for gin and tonics. Each one we have chosen interacts beautifully with the bitterness of tonic and the fresh, fruity notes of the citrus.
Gordon’s
Gordons gin may be the perfect accompaniment for a tonic. As one of the most famous and popular gins in the world, Gordons is one of the most fresh-tasting gins on the market.
The process to create this gin remains a secret but we know that it includes handpicked wild juniper berries, angelica, coriander, and licorice.
These are blended and then left to one of only 6 people in the entire world who know the process of making Gordons gin. This results in the iconic juniper flavor that can be served chilled or in a glass with ice and lime.
The botanicals are perfectly balanced giving Gordons its classic, world-renowned flavor profile. It cuts through tonic and diet tonic with ease creating one of the best-tasting G&Ts out there.
Hendrick’s
The 2000s have seen a gin revolution across the world. With more and more of us opening our eyes to the wonderful world of gin, one drink has stood out in particular and that is Hendricks. Considered one of the best-selling gins in the world, Hendricks transforms your regular G&T into something more poetic.
This Scottish distilled gin is famous for its unique distillation process. This combines two types of stills as well as two strong and potent botanicals – roses and cucumbers.
The result? A distinct rose and cucumber flavor profile that is made to blend with tonic. Unlike many other gins on the market, Hendricks is uniquely smooth but maintains gin’s quintessential well-balanced character.
If you’re in the mood for a late-night treat, not much will go down better than a Hendricks gin and tonic.
Beefeater
As distinguished as the Beefeaters who ceremoniously guard the Tower of London in the UK, Beefeater gin is a bold yet refreshing spirit that works perfectly in a G&T. A quintessential London Dry gin, Beefeater has pronounced peppery berry notes that are the ideal match for bittersweet tonic water.
Being the world’s most awarded gin, there is no surprise that Beefeater boasts top-quality. Whether it’s the famous dry gin, the pink strawberry gin, or the blend of fine botanicals in Beefeater 24, each offers great flavors in a G&T.
Just add a dash of citrus on the finish and your palate will be refreshed into a state of gin and tonic bliss.
Bombay Sapphire
The Bombay Sapphire gin and tonic is a classic for a reason. It boasts a fresh and truly exciting pop to produce a glorious G&T. Although synonymous with martinis, Bombay Sapphire also works extremely well with a gin and tonic.
This is simply a perfect London dry style gin with its strong juniper flavors. First, introduced in the 1980s, this gin gets its name from its huge popularity in India during the British Raj.
This popularity spread throughout the world in the next 30 years and, despite its growing fame, it has remained one of the most delicately perfumed gins on the planet.
Bombay Sapphire is balanced wonderfully with botanicals such as lemon peel, cubeb berries, almonds, and grains of paradise. Together, these create a gin that complements the fresh citrus flavor of a G&T.
Seagram’s
Seagrams is another delicious gin that makes a charming gin and tonic. Seagrams took us by some surprise as we loved its citrus and juniper notes more than we thought we would.
It opens with a piney scent, a hint of citrus, and a dash of rubbing alcohol. Fortunately, this rubbing alcohol smell does not overpower the flavor or other scents from the gin.
Seagrams tastes pleasantly fresh and mildly sweet. Its creamy texture goes down smoothly making it a perfect choice for a G&T. It actually works well in any gin cocktail that calls for citruses such as an Aviation or Gin Daisy. Try this with a tonic and you will not be disappointed.
The Botanist
Originating in Islay, Scotland, The Botanist is a fine gin. Produced with careful and intricate craftsmanship, The Botanist gin is made up of 22 botanicals from the Scottish island. This gin is loved for its fresh character thanks to the way it is distilled. Bark, berries, and salty greens such as orache help create this distinctive and bright flavor.
The Botanist has a complex flavor profile but remains delicate. Therefore, it does not overpower any tonic. Instead, it blends perfectly to produce a top-class gin and tonic. If you’re on the lookout for a deeply floral and herbal gin for your G&T, the Botanist has your back.
It sports a fresh bouquet and a calming mellowness that doesn’t overpower a gin and tonic in any way. Its 22 hand-foraged botanicals provide a pleasing complexity to a simple G&T. Squeeze some fresh lime into the drink and you have yourself a top-quality G&T.
Tanqueray
One of the best-selling gins in the world ever, Tanqueray is another refreshing and perfect London dry gin for G&Ts. If you prefer the London dry style in your gin and tonics, then you have to try Tanqueray. The juniper notes stand out in the overall flavor profile but not too much to overpower the tonic.
Tanqueray may be the textbook gin for a textbook G&T. It serves all traditional gin botanicals with wonderful balance. Its juniper, roots, space, and citrus notes blend seamlessly, especially alongside the challenging profile that tonic water so often brings with it.
Upon closer inspection, you can practically taste the bottle’s greener notes such as lime, pine, and a hint of rosemary. Versatile, Tanqueray gin is tasty on its own, in a martini, or, best of all, in a gin and tonic.
Aviation
Aviation is a prime example of how great American gin can be. In fact, Aviation is one of the main reasons why American gin has made such a successful resurgence in recent years.
Compared to other gins, Aviation isn’t as strong on the Juniper side of things. Instead, it is more floral with elements of lavender. It’s no surprise why Aviation has become such a popular summer gin.
Think you recognize this gin from somewhere? Well, you can thank Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds as he has endorsed Aviation over the last few years.
Although produced in small independent distilleries in Portland, Oregon, Aviation gin has hit high sales thanks to Reynolds and, of course, its quality. Its ingredients lean more toward sarsaparilla and lavender. This results in a new kind of all-American gin and is the ideal choice for a refreshing gin and tonic.
Monkey 47
At 47 percent, Monkey 47 (hence the name) is a pretty strong gin. Perhaps equaling its strength is Monkey 47’s complexity. However, it is still a rewarding experience when drinking this gin, especially in a gin and tonic.
There is a lot going on within Monkey 47. Therefore, it matches many cocktails so don’t be afraid to experiment. Just always make sure you drink responsibly!
There are notes of lavender and citrus as well as a mild offering of lingonberry. As you can probably guess, it’s quite difficult to put your finger on the bittersweet flavors of this drink. All we know is that it works perfectly with the bittersweetness of a tonic.
To get the best out of Monkey 47, we suggest using it in martinis, Gimlets, and, of course, G&Ts. These will allow those unusual notes to shine through just enough for you to enjoy.
Ford’s London Dry
The creation of master distiller Charles Maxwell and Simon Ford, Ford’s London Dry Gin was produced with cocktails firmly in mind. Having said that, it still possesses a delicate nose and the juniper aromas it gives off are surprisingly subtle. Nevertheless, it’s when you come to sipping this gin where the true magic happens.
Every sip of Ford’s London Dry Gin produces complex layers and depths that are usually only found with more expensive bottles. This is one of the most well-balanced examples in the London Dry style resulting in the perfect gin for a range of cocktails.
Although devised as a mixer, Ford’s works well with the majority of tonics. As well as juniper notes, this gin offers some delicious herbal notes too. There is also an intriguing jasmine trait present that is experienced from nose to palate.
Plymouth London Dry Gin
Still made in its original artisanal method and with its traditional recipe, Plymouth London Dry Gin is made in a single copper pot. And, amazingly, it’s the same pot that was installed at the distillery in 1855. So, every sip you have of Plymouth gin is a sip of history and the taste our ancestors loved so much.
Its traditional production processes help create a complex flavor profile as well as a delicately smooth texture. This is what many believe gives Plymouth gin the title of “the single malt of gins.”
Its mixture of slightly sweet botanicals and fresh Dartmoor water has helped make this quality gin one of the go-to choices of gin connoisseurs and bartenders around the world.
With such a rich history, Plymouth gin goes down well with all manners of cocktails but the number one still remains the humble G&T.
Blue Coat Gin
If you’re looking for something to keep you refreshed for an upcoming event, Blue Coat Gin could be the answer. This American dry gin has become more and more popular over recent years and its popularity continues to rise. And, there are many reasons why!
Botanicals such as coriander, juniper, angelica, and a slight blend of citrus peels help this gin achieve a smooth yet crisp flavor with every sip. Moreover, all ingredients are certified 100 percent organic. As for the hints of juniper, these are dampened somewhat when compared to other American dry gins.
This dialing down of the juniper notes is done to allow the citrus to shine through. Other notes such as cardamom and orange are also present with each and every sip resulting in the perfect gin for an array of cocktails like gin and tonics.
The juniper and angelica root add strong botanicals to the Blue Coat gin. Together, these complement the slightly overpowering orange. Thankfully, together, this creates delicious traces of clementine and orange. Powerful at 47 percent ABV, Blue Coat gin maintains a delightful smoothness and is bright enough for a few more G&Ts than first anticipated.
