Gin and Tonic

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 03/3/24
Tested by
Tom Macy
Photo of Tom Macy
Tested by Tom Macy
Tom wears many cocktail hats. He is a professional bartender, bar owner, recipe creator, and drink writer, though he prefers the title "obsessive cocktail nerd."
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Classic and easy, the Gin and Tonic (or G&T) is light and refreshing. It's a simple mixed drink that requires just the two named ingredients and a hint of lime, all of which are natural flavor companions. This is a great choice for happy hour, dinner, or anytime you simply want an invigorating beverage.

Gin and Tonic in a glass with lime slices

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

What Kind of Gin Should I Use?

The best Gin and Tonic cocktails are made with good gin, especially those with a slight citrus flavor and a great blend of botanicals. Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray are two brands that will always be G&T favorites. If you don't want to invest much in a bottle of gin, fret not! This G&T also stands up to many of the less expensive gins, which is why it's an excellent cocktail to turn to when you want to save a little money. 

Tonic Water Explained

A typical tonic water is a carbonated soft drink with added quinine, which creates a slightly bitter taste. One of the uses of tonic water was to help with digestion or to help kick-start an appetite. Nutritionally, tonic water doesn't provide much value. Though not as much as other soft drinks, it generally includes sugar or some other sweetener. The amount varies by brand and will affect the calorie count.

Explore some of the great tonic waters that have sprung up on the market thanks to this drink's resurgence in popularity. Q Drinks and Fever-Tree are two soda brands worth checking out because they were designed specifically for mixed drinks like this.

Is it Safe to Drink Tonic Water Daily?

It's generally harmless for most people to drink tonic water in moderation. Quinine, the alkaloid derived from cinchona bark, can lead to quinine toxicity (cinchonism) in high doses. This is most often a concern in medication form or for people with certain medical conditions, and it can interact with some medications. To ensure the tonic water sold in the U.S. is safe, the FDA limits how much quinine can be present in tonic water.

Can I Make Tonic Water at Home?

Many types of soda are fun to make at home. However, tonic water is one that should always be purchased from a reputable manufacturer. Due to the serious side effects of cinchonism, it can be harmful to make your own tonic syrup from cinchona bark because it is impossible to control the amount of quinine. It is generally safe to purchase a premade tonic syrup if you follow the company's recommended dilution to make tonic water. As an alternative, you can make quinine-free tonic syrup at home.

Tips for the Most Refreshing Gin and Tonic

  • A lime wedge—Is almost always served with Gin and Tonic, and it's a fantastic way to add a hint of citrus. Get the most out of it by running the wedge around the rim of the glass, squeeze the juice into the drink, and then drop the wedge in.
  • Even more flavor—To add even more lime flavor, squeeze in the juice from a second wedge or add a splash of lime cordial before topping it with tonic.
  • Choice of gin—There is a fantastic array of gins to choose from today. Your gin and tonic can become an entirely new experience with each gin you pour.
  • Fresh advice—For the best experience, use freshly opened bottles of well-chilled tonic.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE THIS GIN AND TONIC
Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Mold Trays
A Great Ice Cube Tray
Commerce Photo Composite
A Good Gin
Cocktail Kingdom Teardrop Bar Spoon
The Perfect Stirrer

"The gin and tonic may be simple to make but can easily be screwed up. This recipe is smart to acknowledge the amount of tonic as well as gin. And this a great ratio to start with. Don't stir too much though, just enough to integrate without dissipating the carbonation." —Tom Macy

Gin and Tonic garnished with a citrus twist
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces gin

  • 4 to 6 ounces tonic water, to taste

  • Lime wedge or slices, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Gin and tonic ingredients gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. In a highball glass filled with ice cubes, pour 2 ounces gin, then top with 4 to 6 ounces tonic water.

    Ice, gin, and tonic in a glass

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Gently stir to combine, but not so much so that you lose carbonation.

    Gin and tonic in a glass with a stirring spoon

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Garnish with a lime wedge or slices. Serve and enjoy.

    Gin and tonic in a glass, garnished with lime slices

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

  • Add fruit juice—A splash of fruit juice, such as apple, cranberry, or orange, adds a hint of flavor and sweetness to this typically dry drink.
  • Swap for lemon—Use a lemon wedge in place of or in addition to lime garnish.
  • Muddled fruit—Raspberries, mango, or other fresh fruits in the glass before building the drink.

How Strong Is a Gin and Tonic?

The gin and tonic can be as light or as strong as you want to make it. The strength is controlled by the amount of tonic you pour. With the average 5-ounce pour of tonic and an 80-proof gin, the drink weighs in around 10 percent ABV (20 proof). It's a very casual drink, which is why it's a favorite to serve at dinner.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
211 Calories
0g Fat
23g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 211
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 24mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 19mg 97%
Calcium 24mg 2%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 69mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
Article Sources
The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. “Quinine (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names.” Mayo Clinic. February 1, 2021

  2. English, Camper. Quinine, Tonic Water, Cinchona Bark Safety in Cocktails. CocktailSafe.org