Gin and Tonic Cocktail Recipe

The classic gin and tonic (or G&T) is the ultimate light, refreshing and invigorating cocktail that requires just two natural flavour companions along with a hint of lime.

The gin and tonic, a globally celebrated cocktail, originated in early 19th-century British colonial India as a medicinal remedy against malaria. British soldiers and administrators relied on quinine, derived from cinchona bark, for malaria prevention. Its intense bitterness led them to mix it with water, sugar, and gin, creating the first proto-gin and tonic.

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By the mid-19th century, this combination gained popularity across the British Empire as both a refreshing and healthful drink. Early tonic water contained high levels of quinine, giving it a distinctly bitter character compared to modern, carbonated, and subtly sweetened formulations. Over time, the gin and tonic evolved from a functional medicinal concoction into a sophisticated cocktail prized for its crisp, botanical flavours and versatility.

Today, mixologists and enthusiasts worldwide enjoy it garnished with lime, lemon, or aromatic herbs, enhancing the gin’s complexity and aroma. Its enduring appeal lies in its unique blend of history, medicinal origin, and elegant taste, exemplifying how necessity can inspire innovation, transforming a colonial-era preventive drink into a timeless staple of modern mixology.

Gin and Tonic Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 oz of gin

• 4 to 5​ oz of tonic water

• Ice cubes

• Garnish with a lime wedge

Assembly

Using a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Pour the gin, then top with tonic and gently stir so as not to lose the bubbles of carbonation. Garnish with a lime wedge.