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Gin and Tonic Recipe– today we’re making a classic cocktail recipe that comes together with just THREE simple ingredients and is one of the easiest cocktails you will ever make :) Gin, tonic, and lime juice make up this simple and delicious cocktail! Cheers!

clear beveled glass filled with clear liquid (gin and tonic) plus fresh lime wedges. dark background this recipe

I recruited Stephen to help me out on this one since he’s the resident gin and tonic mixer around here. We even made a fun little (very short) video together showing you how to make it (it’s down below above the recipe card if you’re interested!).

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Last year I shared an orange and cranberry gin and tonic which was a huge hit. I have more flavored versions planned for this year but for now, I figured you might like the short and simple version of the Gin and Tonic recipe that we’re so very fond of in our house.

clear beveled glass filled with clear liquid (gin and tonic) plus fresh lime wedges towel on the side

First up, what IS Gin and Tonic?

Gin and tonic is a classic cocktail that is EXACTLY as the name says: gin alcohol + tonic water. People often put a squeeze of lime or lemon in it as well.

The best gin for Gin and Tonics:

Alright so, I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on alcohol. Mmkay?

BUT, over the years, I’d say we’ve made gin and tonics at home with A LOT of different gins and I certainly have my opinions on which ones were best. Hint- Stephen has an opinion as well.

bombay saffire with limes around it and a bottle of fever hill tonic water in the background. ingredients for gin and tonic

Of all the gins that I have tried, here are my favorites in order:

  1. Malfy Con Limone Gin– admittedly this one is very new to me but it QUICKLY jumped to the top of my list. It seems to be widely available and just has SUCH a smooth taste. They also make it without the lemon flavor but just trust me and get it with lemon!
  2. Wild Roots Gin– this is a local to Oregon gin and not all that widely available. BUT if you are able to get your hands on it, I’m OBSESSED with the grapefruit flavored gin of theirs!
  3. Viva City Native Gin– this is another local gin because I’m a sucker for a good local distillery.
  4. Bombay Sapphire– when all else fails, I go for Bombay. It’s widely available and most bars serve it. It’s a good classic gin to have on hand.
  5. Hendrick’s– another classic and easy to find gin. I’m also a big sucker for the Hendrick’s packaging :)
  6. Empress Gin– I’ve bought this a few times and always really enjoy it. PLUS it has a beautiful and fun light purple color that I find particularly nice when entertaining.

PLEASE let me know if you have a favorite. We’re always looking for new kinds to try.

clear beveled glass filled with clear liquid (gin and tonic) plus fresh lime wedges. bombay sapphire in the background

How many calories in a gin and tonic:

I was surprised to see that a LOT of people are interested in knowing exactly how many calories are in a gin and tonic.

Gin and tonic calories: there are about 125 calories in one gin and tonic (made with my recipes).

A single 2-ounce shot of gin has about 125 calories in it and since we recommend that you use diet tonic water, there are next to zero additional calories inside this cocktail outside of the little bit of lime juice that is squeezed in.

All I’m saying is that I would MUCH rather have a gin and tonic over a 100 calories beer ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!

clear beveled glass filled with clear liquid (gin and tonic) plus fresh lime wedges. hand squeezing a lime wedge into the glass

How to make Gin and Tonic:

In case you need a detailed demonstration on how to make this super (not at ALL) complex cocktail, we have a video down below for you :)

We like using THIS ice mold that makes giant cubes of ice. But, whatever ice you have on hand obviously works.

To actually make the cocktail, simply add the ice to your glass and then mix in the gin and diet tonic water. Squeeze in the juice from one lime wedge and then ENJOY! Since this has become my go to cocktail over the last year, I’ve learned to love it without any citrus in it. If you have a truly great gin that you love, it’s nice to just enjoy the taste of that and not even add in the lime.

Gin and tonic with lemon: If you want to switch things up a bit, you can also give this a try with lemon instead of lime. My mom is a HUGE fan of  a lemon gin and tonic!

clear beveled glass filled with clear liquid (gin and tonic) plus fresh lime wedges

More great cocktails to try:

See how to make this Gin and Tonic :D

clear beveled glass filled with clear liquid (gin and tonic) plus fresh lime wedges. dark background

Gin and Tonic Recipe

See how easy it is to make a gin and tonic cocktail!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Calories:
Author: Brita Britnell

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces of gin see note above about of favorite types of gin
  • 4 ounces of diet tonic water
  • 1 lime wedge optional
  • ice or serving

Instructions

  • Add your ice to a glass.
  • Stir together the gin and tonic water and then squeeze in the lime wedge. If you find a gin that you truly love, you might not even want the lime. I suggest giving the cocktail a taste first and then add the lime. See note above about my favorite gins!
  • ENJOY!