For years one of the most consumed and mixed drinks in the world, the Gin and Tonic has a history rooted in eighteenth-century India. In that period the country, under British dominion, suffered greatly from the spread of malaria, a disease that could only be treated with medicinal herbs.
In 1650 at the University of Leiden, in Holland, Dr. Sylvius developed a “potion” capable of unlocking the beneficial effects for the blood held by juniper berries. Thus was born “Jenever”, or otherwise known as gin.
It was only in the seventeenth century, however, with the religious wars between the Dutch and the Spanish, that gin arrived in England. Being both Protestant, the Dutch and the English formed an alliance. It was thus that England discovered gin. Around the same period, Spanish colonists discovered that indigenous peoples used the bark of the Cinchona tree to treat fever.
When the English in 1736 also discovered its properties, they realised it was effective for treating malaria and spread the use of quinine across their colonies and throughout the world. When the English colonised India in the eighteenth century, they brought with them tonic water and gin which, enriched with lime, became the much-loved Gin and Tonic.
It should be noted, however, that its rise to prominence received a considerable boost when, also in the eighteenth century, the company founded by Johann Jacob Schweppe, Schweppes, began commercialising the first industrial quinine extract with added carbonated water: tonic water.
As often happens, the Gin and Tonic had its moment of greatest glory among young people. Between 1980 and 1990 in France, it quickly spread to the bars and cafes of Paris, eventually becoming a global phenomenon.
The ingredients of a Gin and Tonic
Making a good Gin and Tonic may seem straightforward, but in reality one must pay attention to many details, though we shall discuss this shortly.
For now, let us discover what goes into this remarkable drink. The Gin and Tonic is composed of four ingredients: gin, tonic water, ice and a strip or slice of citrus, and is served in a tall tumbler. As we have already noted, gin is a spirit distilled from juniper berries. To these are added a selection of botanicals, which are distilled together
to create spirits with different tastes and accents, depending on the herbs chosen for production.
Tonic water is a non-alcoholic preparation based on quinine, which is the extract of a bark, initially used to treat malaria and, over time, commercialised and flavoured with ingredients such as lemon. A curious fact: tonic water is fluorescent, owing to the quinine it contains.
A twist on tonic: choosing the right one
If when we speak of Gin and Tonic you picture the classic, slightly bitter tonic water, think again. Although this was the first commercially available tonic water, over time many other producers have developed tonics aromatised in a wide variety of ways. Here are a few.
Enriched with the scent of lemon and chinotto from Savona, Lurisia Tonic presents a beautifully delicate bouquet. Moreover, the bitter note is softened by the gentle acidity of the citrus, yielding a tonic of great freshness.
One of the foremost authorities in tonic water, Fever Tree offers an extensive range of variants, catering to all palates while maintaining the quality of the product. Let us begin with the simplicity of the Premium Indian Tonic Water, in which quinine, spring water and precious botanical oils combine to create a straightforward yet striking tonic. If instead you wish to lend a more “floral” tone to your drink, the Elderflower Tonic Water, infused with elderflower, is the choice for you. For a more Mediterranean touch, there is the Mediterranean Tonic Water, featuring essential oils from Mediterranean botanical herbs. Whether you wish to pair it with gin or drink it on its own, the Aromatic Tonic Water will astonish you: angostura bark, cardamom, allspice berries and ginger, for a tonic of incredible depth.
More classic, but no less enjoyable, the J. Gasco tonic offers two variants, Indian and Dry Bitter. The former has very gentle bitter tones, yielding a delicate yet rounded flavour. The Dry, by contrast, has been specially formulated for those who appreciate quinine, presenting a decidedly persistent bitter note. Cortese has chosen a different approach, offering a tonic that, as its name suggests, Pure Tonic, is pure, composed of very few ingredients: water, mineral salts, sugar and authentic natural quinine. A pleasant, balanced tonic, excellent for pairing with any type of spirit.
The other side of the Gin and Tonic: the gin
Although devotees of straightforward flavours prefer to use London Dry Gin for mixing their Gin and Tonic, there is no limit to the type of gin you may choose.
Therefore, besides encouraging you to unleash your palate and imagination, we wished to suggest some intriguing combinations to give a distinctive touch to your drink. Here, then, are some Gin and Tonic recipes with which you can experiment.
For a drink with a Mediterranean flavour, Gino is a gin with a wholly Italian character, liquorice, damask rose, lemon and sage give the Gin and Tonic a pronounced citrus and spice presence. Try pairing it with Lurisia Tonic, enhanced by the scent of Savona chinotto.
If you wish to venture into a gin of unusual character, Xoriguer, of Spanish origin, combines juniper berries with the dry notes of grapes, the whole softened in oak casks. Served with a strip of lemon zest and juniper berries, it pairs perfectly with Fever Tree Indian Tonic Water.
Those who appreciate complex flavours will certainly enjoy the marriage of Sabatini London Dry Gin and Tonica Scortese. Produced with nine Tuscan-sourced botanicals (juniper, coriander, iris, wild fennel, lavender, olive leaves, thyme, verbena and sage), it blends perfectly with the Scortese tonic from Bevande Futuriste, a delicate infusion of green tea, black cardamom and lemongrass. Serve it with a sprig of thyme and a strip of lemon zest.
If you have a refined palate, a drink with Gin Mare is not to be missed. Produced with Spanish Arbequina olives, Greek thyme, Turkish rosemary, Italian basil, cardamom, coriander, juniper berries and Spanish citrus, pair it with Fever Tree Mediterranean. A blend of essential oils found in the flowers, fruits and herbs of the Mediterranean coast, for a Gin and Tonic worthy of the true connoisseur. Finally, for a Gin and Tonic that unites the fragrance of spice with that of herbs, try Gin Vettore. Produced from the distillation of more than seven distinct botanicals, it brings together different aromas and flavours, all in a single gin. From the sweetness of lemon balm, to the dry edge of wormwood, to the Eastern note of coriander. Pair it with Fever Tree Indian Tonic Water for a drink that is simple yet deeply satisfying.
Preparing the perfect Gin and Tonic: what to pay attention to
As we mentioned earlier, making a Gin and Tonic is not as simple as it seems. But if you pay attention, in just a few steps you can create an award-worthy Gin and Tonic.
First, a small note of caution: if the gin you wish to mix exceeds 50% ABV, reduce the measure slightly.
That said, we have established that the Gin and Tonic is born from the combination of four ingredients: gin, tonic water, ice and a strip or slice of citrus. We have already spoken at length about the gin, both in terms of flavour and the technical aspects of mixing.
At this point our attention turns to the tonic water. In order to give the Gin and Tonic that “effervescent” quality, it is essential that the tonic retains its carbonation. This is achieved, first and foremost, by using tonic water that is extremely cold. Then, the ice, which should be moist on the surface and, if possible, in a single large block.
Finally, let us discuss the garnish. You may freely choose between a classic strip of citrus zest and a slice of citrus, but remember that the latter, once placed in the Gin and Tonic, will release its juices, modifying the flavour.
To conclude… The final Gin and Tonic
Now you know everything about the history of the Gin and Tonic, you have the tools to mix the perfect drink and to pair gin and tonic water to your liking.
Shall we conclude this article in style? Perhaps with a recipe of spectacular flavour?
In three words: Gin Vettore Tonic. Gin Vettore, with its spiced fragrance and distinctly sweet character, will pair perfectly with the most distinctive tonic produced by Fever Tree, the Aromatic Tonic Water. The angostura and allspice will be balanced by the sweetness of the Mela Rosa dei Sibillini and lemon balm, while the cardamom and ginger, combined with the coriander, will give the drink that precise “spiced twist”, a drink that will never cease to surprise you.