Highball recipe
Gin and Tonic
Gin and Tonic is simple until it is not: cold glass, enough ice, lively tonic, and a ratio that lets the gin stay visible.
- Easy
- Built
- Highball
- Gin and tonic
Why this spec
The Gin and Tonic is a ratio drink. Two ounces of gin and four to five ounces of chilled tonic gives the drink enough length without making it anonymous.
Cold matters because tonic loses charm quickly when it warms. Use fresh ice, chilled tonic, and one gentle lift instead of a long stir.
The bottle and the rest
Gin choice drives the drink. Juniper-led gin tastes crisp and classic; citrusy or floral gin can work when the tonic is not too sweet.
Tonic should be cold, lively, and not syrup-heavy. The garnish should echo the gin rather than pile on perfume for no reason.
The build
Build gin over fresh ice
Build gin in a chilled highball or balloon glass over fresh ice.
Top with tonic
Top with tonic water.
Lift gently
Give it a gentle lift with a barspoon.
one lift
Use more ice than seems necessary. A full glass stays colder and dilutes more slowly.
Take it somewhere
Grapefruit
Citrus top noteUse grapefruit peel when the gin has bright citrus or floral notes.
Lime
Classic snap noteLime works best with juniper-forward gin and a dry tonic.
Spanish style
Balloon glass noteUse a balloon glass with plenty of ice when you want more aroma and room.
Lower proof
More tonic noteMove toward five ounces of tonic for a longer, softer highball.
Where it goes wrong
Warm tonic
Warm tonic tastes flat and sweet before the drink is halfway built.
Too little ice
A half-filled glass melts fast and never gets properly cold.
Over-garnishing
The garnish should support the gin, not turn the glass into a salad.
Questions, answered
What is the best ratio?
Start with 2 oz gin to 4 oz tonic. Add a little more tonic only when you want a longer drink.
Highball or balloon glass?
Both work. A highball is direct; a balloon glass gives more aromatic room.
Should I stir it?
Give it one gentle lift. A long stir knocks out carbonation.
Cold, bitter, bright
A Gin and Tonic is a small discipline in cold service. When the glass is full of ice and the tonic is alive, the simplest drink on the page earns its place.