Gin, tonic, ice, garnish. It might sound simple, but the Spanish have elevated the simple gin and tonic to a sophisticated co*cktail that demands attention to detail and quality ingredients. We asked bartenders across Spain to share their G&T tips and tricks.
While some countries’ love affair with gin started several centuries ago, the Spanish are relative newcomers to the spirit but have quickly made their mark with the ground-breaking gin tonica. Swapping highball glasses for a balloon-shaped copa, bars from Barcelona to Bilbao started experimenting with flavour profiles and botanicals. As a result, making a simple gin and tonic has been elevated to an art form with precise instructions outlining how to keep the bubbles bubbling and the botanicals shining. Here’s what you can learn from the experts.
1. KEEP YOUR COOL
Bartender Nacho Zamora – of Gin Club in Madrid – says one of the most important things is to keep it cold. “Keep both your gin and your tonic in the fridge so that the ice isn’t immediately watered down,” he says. That also means using large ice cubes as these will hold their temperature for longer. Having served your icy G&T, it’s important to hold the glass by the stem so you don’t transfer heat from your hands to the drink.
As for the garnish, Nacho says: “Twist lemon or lime peel over the glass, or throw in a few slices, but never add lemon or lime juice as the acidity will break the bubbles of the tonic water and make it flat. And finally, don’t add too many trimmings – it’s a gin and tonic, not a salad!”
His favourite gin tonica to make features Nordés Atlantic Galician gin, which has an Albariño grape base as opposed to a grain base, and is topped off with a twist of orange peel, a few halved grapes, samphire and sprigs of mint.
2. EMBRACE THE FIZZ
Overseen by Rafa Martín, the creator of a number of internationally award-winning drinks, the team from Brassclub in Mallorca say their number-one tool is the long teaspoon that they pour tonic water down into the glass before giving the gin and tonic a very gentle stir. Why? To preserve those all-important bubbles.
By avoiding splashes, using a swizzle spoon means the tonic water doesn’t lose its fizziness, however, there is another school of thought that says pouring the tonic over the back of the spoon is just as effective when it comes to keeping things effervescent. We’ll let you be the judge. Either way, make sure you always use a fresh bottle of tonic for every G&T-drinking session to ensure the bubbles are at their best.
3. USE LOCAL INGREDIENTS
While Hendrick’s revolutionised the gin and tonic world by adding cucumber to their spirited concoction, Spanish bartenders have been taking a more experimental approach to gin garnishes. The region is no stranger to putting local herbs and flowers to good use – chamomile, basil, marjoram and thyme have been made into traditional herbal liquors over the years.
Sound advice from the team at Valencia’s Café de las Horas is to celebrate provenance. When drinking an Australian gin, take inspiration from what’s around you and use native ingredients like lemon myrtle, mountain pepper or finger lime as a garnish.
TOP TIP: Ordering a gin and tonic is one thing, but what about getting the ratio right when you’re at home? The Spanish usually serve 50mL gin with 200mL tonic water. That said, it will always depend on your taste or the moment when you’re drinking it… Experiment with a ratio that works for you.
FAQs
Gin and tonic drinkers are simply sophisticated, intellectual, and most likely the “cool member” of the friendship group. They are the more subdued group on a night out and more likely to hang out with the whiskey drinkers than the tequila folks.
How to keep fizz in gin and tonic? ›
“Plenty of ice keeps the temperature of a drink lower, meaning the carbon dioxide in your tonic finds it harder to escape, keeping your drink fizzier for longer.” The way you pour your tonic can help too, according to Alistair Wilson, Managing Director at Isle of Skyle Distillers.
What is the best ratio of gin to tonic water? ›
Pour 50ml (a double shot) of gin over the ice. Stir around the edge of the glass gently. Top up with tonic water. Many gin professionals in the industry will encourage you to use around 200ml for every 50ml , but really this is entirely up to you and your personal taste!
What does your favourite gin say about you? ›
People who drink gins which have earthy or nutty notes, such as angelica and Orris root, Nutmeg, Hazelnuts or Wattle Seed, are often calm and composed. They enjoy the slightly sweet notes of vanilla, liquorice and honey in their gin. These people are comfortable on their own and enjoy having some 'me'-time.
What is the meaning behind gin tonic? ›
The gin & tonic is a co*cktail composed of gin, tonic water and citrus peel. It is said to have been first created in the 18th century by Dutch and British colonial companies, but many believe this to be a myth… This co*cktail actually comes from the tonic water that was used to fight malaria as seen above.
Why pour tonic down a spoon? ›
To preserve those all-important bubbles. By avoiding splashes, using a swizzle spoon means the tonic water doesn't lose its fizziness, however, there is another school of thought that says pouring the tonic over the back of the spoon is just as effective when it comes to keeping things effervescent.
Why do you put ice in gin and tonic? ›
We will always recommend loads of ice for a Beefeater and tonic. Imagine a warm gin and tonic… it's not pretty. Ice keeps your G&T colder for longer and causes dilution which is needed for balance.
Why do you put pepper in gin and tonic? ›
Scenting and garnish with rose pepper is the perfect way to prepare a special Gin Tonic enjoying a particular and astonishing flavour. Rose pepper provides notes of sweetness and a bit spicy that your guests will love. Step 1 We recommend to chill the gin as a previous step.
Is Tanqueray or Bombay better? ›
If Tanqueray represents the stalwart classic, then Bombay Sapphire represents the new generation of gin, though both are treated as go-to's by many bartenders. Comparatively, the piney juniper flavors are more pronounced in Tanqueray, while Bombay Sapphire has somewhat more subtle and nuanced tasting notes.
What is top shelf gin? ›
Summary
| Best overall | Isle of Harris Gin |
|---|
| Best Navy Strength | Never Never Juniper Freak Gin |
| Best flavoured/pink | Chapel Down Pinot Noir Gin |
| Best value | Hayman's Exotic Citrus Gin |
| Best new release | Height of Arrows Bright |
1 more rowMar 28, 2023
The 7 essential Gin styles
- London Dry. Perhaps the most familiar and common gin style, London Dry dates back to the early 19th-century gin craze in England. ...
- New Western / New World. ...
- Plymouth. ...
- Navy Strength. ...
- Old Tom. ...
- Genever.
To craft the perfect G&T at home, simply fill a highball glass up to the top with ice cubes (a pre-chilled glass is an added bonus). Then, pour in your gin, top with tonic water and lift with drinks stirrer or long spoon from the bottom to mix without disrupting the fizz. Garnish with a wedge or twist of fresh lime.
What is the golden ratio for gin and tonic? ›
The ratio of gin to tonic is dependent on the strength of alcohol in your selected gin; we generally recommend 1 part gin to 3 parts tonic (50ml, or a double measure, to 150ml tonic). Measuring your gin in a jigger will help with accuracy and achieving balance in your drink.
How to spruce up a gin and tonic? ›
Add whole spices to the glass. These should be chosen to compliment the botanicals in the gin, and some common choices include juniper berries, peppercorns, star anise, cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon sticks.
What does it mean if you like gin and tonic? ›
According to a recent study, people who like gin and tonic are more likely to have psychopathic tendencies than those who enjoy any other co*cktail. The study, conducted by a group of psychologists in Austria, surveyed 953 people to investigate potential correlations between food and drink preferences and personality.
Does gin make people emotional? ›
Need an excuse for getting a little too emotional last night? Next time you get teary after a few drinks, you can blame the G&Ts. A study into drinking and emotions has revealed that gin is more likely to get you teary than beer or wine.
Does gin affect you differently? ›
The direct effects of alcohol are the same whether you drink wine, beer or spirits. There's no evidence that different types of alcohol cause different mood states. People aren't even very good at recognising their mood states when they have been drinking. So where does the myth come from?
What mood does gin put you in? ›
Strong spirits (like vodka, gin, or whiskey) made people feel energized (58% of people), confident (59%) and sexy (42%). But they also had a negative effect, tending to bring out aggression in some people.
