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what gin for a great gin and tonic???

tnmike1

tnmike1

AK Member
I've tried many gins for a gin and tonic, ranging from Gordon's--considered by many to be agreat gin for mixing--up to the pricier Bombay Sapphire and Hendricks. Problem is, to me they all tastethe same when mixed with tonic. I taste no difference between the Gordon's and Bombay Sapphire. Now I reserve my premium gins for martinis and would never drink a martini using a bottom-shelf like Gordon;s. But for mixing, what are your preferences to let the gin's herbals come through???
 
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I'm a big fan of Tanqueray Ten myself, and I do notice a difference in my tonic and rose's lime juice.

I have found that thinly sliced ginger (sold in jars at Asian markets) is additive in combination with the herbals of a nice gin.

Gin is certainly an acquired taste, I recall telling friends I would pass on the glass of pine-sol.

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just finished a bottle of Tanqueray. Started with mix of 2 oz. gin with 4 oz tonic. Tasted nothing. Finished by going half-n-half and still didn't taste the gin.

Maybe my tastebuds are shot?? Maybe switch to vodka tonics???

Svendingo: haven't tried Tanqueray Ten. May give it a try.
 
I've had all of them and will say, a bad tonic can ruin a good gin or at the least overwhelm some flavors. If you aren't discerning the differences in the Gin's in your T&T it might be due to the tonic or amount of tonic. Most people swear by Schweppes but there are other good ones out there. A bad tonic can ruin a drink. Regardless of brand taste your tonic first. If it’s too sweet, too medicinal, or too bitter on it's own cut it with club soda until it's not too anything.

FWIW, I like the blue bottle over the green but sometimes go with Hendricks over either. I like the additional flavors in Hendricks and will sometimes forego the lime...and sometimes the tonic ;)
 
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tnmike1 said:
I've tried many gins for a gin and tonic, ranging from Gordon's--considered by many to be agreat gin for mixing--up to the pricier Bombay Sapphire and Hendricks. Problem is, to me they all tastethe same when mixed with tonic. I taste no difference between the Gordon's and Bombay Sapphire. Now I reserve my premium gins for martinis and would never drink a martini using a bottom-shelf like Gordon;s. But for mixing, what are your preferences to let the gin's herbals come through???
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Someone else mentioned this also, but is worth repeating. If Gordon's and Bombay Sapphire taste the same with tonic, try a different tonic. I don't think these are in the same league at all.
 
I think a couple of you have nailed it. Friend of mine swears by Fever Tree tonic. So off to Earthfare I go to get some higher quality tonic Also did some research and may try Plymouth Gin, which is supposedly a more flavorful gin.
 
tnmike1 said:
I think a couple of you have nailed it. Friend of mine swears by Fever Tree tonic. So off to Earthfare I go to get some higher quality tonic Also did some research and may try Plymouth Gin, which is supposedly a more flavorful gin.
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Fever Tree is good stuff. They have both a "regular" and a "Mediterranean" tonic, neither of which contain HFCS.

I'm currently using Fever Tree tonics (pricey) with Taaka gin (cheap), key limes instead of regular limes. Works well for me, but then I am of the school that you don't mix premium liquors. It's virtually impossible to enjoy the quality of a premium liquor when it is being overwhelmed by tonic, cola, juice, etc. MPO.
 
pmsummer said:
Fever Tree is good stuff. They have both a "regular" and a "Mediterranean" tonic, neither of which contain HFCS.

I'm currently using Fever Tree tonics (pricey) with Taaka gin (cheap), key limes instead of regular limes. Works well for me, but then I am of the school that you don't mix premium liquors. It's virtually impossible to enjoy the quality of a premium liquor when it is being overwhelmed by tonic, cola, juice, etc. MPO.
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Agreed. A gin & tonic is mostly about the tonic and lime. The brand of gin is mostly immaterial. Similarly, if I want a scotch and soda, I don't use an expensive single malt.
 
pmsummer said:
I am of the school that you don't mix premium liquors. It's virtually impossible to enjoy the quality of a premium liquor when it is being overwhelmed by tonic, cola, juice, etc. MPO.
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:thmbsp: I use Seagram's Extra Dry Gin for mixes. $9.99/fifth. It tastes pretty good by itself too.

I've read reviews about Barton's gin hitting way above it's $5.49/fifth price but haven't found any on the shelves yet to try it. Have to get my local store to order a bottle for me since the Seagram's bottle is getting low.
 
I'm thinking the ssame as some of you:a premium gin is wasted in a mixed drink. So now the experimentation will be inexpensive gins like Gordon's, Seagram's etc. mixed with a quality tonic. Save the tanq/Bombay/Beefeater for martinis
 
My favorite is Blue Sapphire with Tonic. I like Canada Dry Tonic better than Schweppes with no lime. I disagree with mixing lesser gin with tonic. It makes a big difference using Sapphire compared to Beefeater and others. Usually it's about 8-10 bucks more per bottle for the better middle of the road gins like Sapphire & Tanqueray.

I'll search for the Fever Tree tonic. That's a new one for me.
 
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