Choosing The Right Garnish For Your Gin And Tonic Will Totally Enhance The Flavor
Classic doesn't have to mean boring — it should mean iconic. And if you're talking about classic cocktails, one of the first that comes to mind is a gin and tonic. This drink is both classy to sip on and simple to make, which has long made it a fan favorite.
If you're a frequent drinker of the beverage, you probably already know exactly what to expect from it. But there's always an opportunity to spice things up, and choosing the right garnish for your gin and tonic can enhance those familiar flavors. While everyone has a different palate, here are some popular picks of favorite garnishes for this drink.
The simple addition most bartenders choose for with a gin and tonic is a lime wedge. If you're looking to stick to that citrus idea but want something more unexpected, opt for a grapefruit peel instead. For fans of herbs, try out a sprig of thyme or basil leaf. Lovers of floral additions can experiment with adding a sprig of lavender or edible flowers to their gin and tonic. And lastly, veggie fans can always add a slice of cucumber to the drink. No matter what garish you choose, don't be afraid to experiment to find out which combination you prefer.
Why these garnishes work
There are many types of cocktail garnishes, but most serve to bring balance between a cocktail's flavor, aroma, and look. It's a tricky balancing act, but here's how those garnishes work to achieve harmony for a gin and tonic.
First, let's tackle why lime is the go-to for this drink. Lime is always a great choice with gin because the botanical flavors of the spirit pair well with citrus. Lime is a better option than lemon in this cocktail because limes have a certain boldness that lemons lack. A peel of grapefruit will works just as well for this same reason. (You'll want just the peel to avoid overwhelming this simple cocktail.)
Herbs, on the other hand, will almost always pair well with gin-based cocktails because gin is already flavored with botanicals, including juniper and orris root.Herbs will augment the flavors that are already present in the gin. The same can be said for floral garnishes. And lastly, vegetable additions, such as cucumbers, have a mellow flavor and generally mesh well with the smoothness of gin.
Other ways to upgrade this classic cocktail
A gin and tonic, like many other cocktails, holds power in its simplicity. This is a drink people can get creative with if they choose, and the options go way beyond unconventional cocktail garnishes. There are many other ways to augment this classic drink. First, have you ever tried muddling fruit for a gin and tonic? To do this, you'll simply need to pick out your fruit of choice (blackberries or strawberries would be some of ours) and add it to the bottom of your glass. Now, smush this down with a muddler to infuse the gin and tonic with those sweet, fruity flavors.
Another way to upgrade this cocktail is to switch up your ice. If you're bored of plain cubes, why not try freezing fruit in your ice cube tray to add some flavor? For even more sweetness, you can even use additions such as lavender syrup or rose water,too. These combinations would work especially well with floral garnishes. Lastly, you could try out a different glass for size. While most gin and tonics come in a highball glass to preserve the tonic's carbonation, nobody said that you couldn't get creative with your drinking vessel. Maybe you'd prefer your cocktail in a tall copa glass instead; you never know until you try.
These combinations of garnishes and flavorings just might renew your love for the classic gin and tonic.