Who says that the only way to serve gin is with tonic water? We investigate a few other possible mixing partners.
You might not be aware of the fact that there is a whole universe of gin mixers out there for you to sample that do not rely on the traditional combination of gin and tonic water, especially if you are a fan of the traditional G&T cocktail.
Because gin is a spirit with a distinct flavour profile, selecting the proper mixer is essential. The spirit should be combined with a component that will complement the gin’s inherent qualities rather than one that will compete with them or overpower them entirely.
The following is a list of the top mixers that go well with gin, in the event that you find yourself in a situation where you no longer have access to the tonic.
BITTER LEMON
Citrus fruits and gin are a delicious combination (as we know from the classic garnishes of lime or lemon). Bitter lemon is a popular alternative among those who don’t particularly enjoy the taste of tonic, and it’s handy to have in the cupboard as it goes well with most gins, particularly, of course, the citrus-led ones. For those who don’t particularly enjoy the taste of tonic, bitter lemon is a popular alternative.
GINGER
Gin and ginger beer is one of our favourite combinations, and it’s quickly rising to the top of the list of the most popular trends in the world of gin. You can also add this warming mixer to pretty much any gin, but we find that it works best with a spiced or winter gin since it accentuates the flavour of all of the wonderful botanicals in the gin, such as cinnamon, cardamom, and orange. In addition to that, it is the perfect addition to a rhubarb and ginger gin (homemade or shop-bought).
Gin and ginger ale, with some additional herb garnishes for added flavour, is also a nice combo that is more subtle.
LIME
Gin is a companion that gets along well with lime juice, lime cordial, and even bitter lime in equal measure. If you have a bottle of gin and some lime cordial at home, then you already have the ingredients necessary to make a gin Gimlet! Stir together three parts gin and one part cordial, then drink and appreciate the results.
PINK LEMONADE
You don’t like how bitter the quinine flavour is when you drink tonic, do you? A gin and pink lemonade is the perfect drink to sate your craving for something sweet. Indeed, the perfect drink for the summertime is this colourful and flavorful mixer. You can garnish the drink with some sweet and juicy strawberries, raspberries, or a little stem of rhubarb if you like a little tang of tartness to offset the sweetness of the drink.
You could also make yourself a lovely pink gin drink by adding a dash of elderflower cordial and some fresh peach slices to the mix.
COKE
Have you ever wondered what other kinds of alcohol you may mix with coke than rum? You could certainly do a lot worse than trying the classic combination of cola and gin.
While we wouldn’t really recommend this combination for use with the beautiful craft gins that we offer our members here at Craft Gin Club, for example, due to the fact that the robust flavour of the coke would overpower the delicate, subtle flavours of the gin and its lovely botanicals, topping off a decent everyday gin with your favourite brand of coke, along with a few dashes of orange bitters or 15ml of fresh lime juice, and plenty of ice can make for a refreshing alternative.
PROSECCO
The combination of Prosecco and gin results in a beverage that is luxurious, sparkling, and boozy. You can make a beautifully sweet and refreshing mixture by combining your sparkling wine, a squeeze of lemon, and some honey with your gin, or you can give one of these ideas for gin and prosecco cocktails a try.
Would it be considered impolite to additionally propose Champagne or Cava as a “mixer” with gin? If that isn’t too naughty, it is highly recommended, especially when used with a sweet liqueur or syrup to create a cocktail.
COFFEE
The combination of gin and coffee may not be, um, everyone’s cup of tea (sorry about that!), but we believe that, if handled properly, it has the potential to be rather successful. Make sure that you are using a high-quality gin as well as coffee; this is not a recipe that you should try with the freeze-dried granules that come from your local supermarket.
ORANGE
To create a fruity and pleasant cocktail, all you need to do is combine your gin with freshly squeezed orange juice for an instant taste of summer. If you can get your hands on some blood oranges when they are in season, that would be ideal because the martini will have a more dramatic appearance and your friends will be more impressed.
EARL GREY TEA
Earl Grey tea is a “mixer” that is not as well-known as other classic accompaniments to gin, but it certainly deserves to be considered on par with these other beverages. First, prepare a pot of Earl Grey tea and let it chill in the refrigerator. Next, fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour 1/4 cup of tea and 3/4 cup of gin into the shaker. Finally, strain the mixture into a martini glass that has been cooled in the freezer. To sweeten it up, add a tiny bit of simple syrup.
Alternately, if you have a little bit more time and energy, you may try your hand at making this stunning cocktail made with lavender gin and Earl Grey tea.
APPLE JUICE
Another traditional beverage to pair with gin is apple juice. In our cocktail hub, we have plenty of recipes that call for gin and apple juice, but our favourite might be this one: all you need to do is add lemon juice and honey to your gin and juice, and you’ll have a refreshingly sweet cocktail that’s ideal for the warm weather.
Cider
Mixing a good measure of cider with gin in a glass will produce delightful results. It’s understandable if you want to play it safe and go with a standard cider, but trust me when I say that you’re making the right choice if you go all in on a high-quality cider.
While cider is used as a gin mixer in some regions, there is much more work to be done to make this trend widespread across the country. Add some simple sugar syrup for extra sweetness and balance it out with some fresh lemon juice.
Tomato Juice
Since gin and vodka both trace their roots back to the same country, mixing the two with tomato juice creates the British version of the popular Bloody Mary. Whether you drink it in the evening or as hair of the dog to cure your hangover, you’re sure to like it.
You can enjoy this as is, but if you want to go all out, try adding some Tabasco sauce, a piece of celery, and a few drops of lime juice. Whether you’re feeling particularly daring, add a twist of pepper and see if this simple cocktail tickles your fancy.
Ending Happy hours
Make sure to serve your drink icy cold no matter which mixer you use. Many mixers and the flavours they contain will lack intensity and may even be aggressively off-putting at room temperature, but the difference will be palpable when served slightly chilled.
