Did you know that gin & tonic actually started as a cure for malaria? In the 1700s, a Scottish Doctor, George Cleghorn, discovered that tonic water which contains quinine could be used as a treatment against malaria. Indian soldiers then were stationed to drink tonic water to fight the disease. However, tonic water is quite bitter so soldiers in the 1800s experimented and added in gin with lemon and lime to hide the bitter flavor. Centuries later, it gave birth to our classic favorite, gin and tonic. 

Who doesn’t love a good G&T? Gin is a distilled alcoholic drink with juniper berries as the dominating ingredient. The juniper berries give off a dry taste with noticeable pine flavors. When you drink it neat, expect something strong but smooth down the throat. When you add tonic water, it becomes a divine combination. The bubbly tonic water helps to deliver more flavors then transports the chemicals up to the liquids into our mouths giving. Adding fruits and spicing up your recipe then allows you to create a bright, zesty, and citrusy cocktail.

Here is a break down of our top five gins: 

1. Tanqueray 750ml

Photo from @TanquerayGin

Tanqueray is a good choice for your next Gin and Tonic night. Tanqueray is known as a perfectionist who keeps it simple. With four botanicals, juniper, coriander, angelica, and liquorice to create the perfect balance. This creates a balance of flavor profile. The red waxed seal passed on from one generation to the next mark this gin above all others. It’s an enduring classic that’s popular among gin drinkers. Avid fans of gin love this and appreciate the drier, more juniper flavored profile that contrasts other kinds of gin in the market with more fruity tastes.

2. Bombay Sapphire 750ml

Photo from @BombaySapphire

Another popular choice to make some Gin and Tonic. A crowd favourite. The world famous gin in its distinctive blue bottle. Every drop contains 10 hand-selected botanicals from exotic locations around the world. It’s not harsh and doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste. Bombay Sapphire gin has a ripe citrus aroma with rounded spice and a touch of juniper. 100% natural flavours combine to create a gentle, aromatic taste layered with zesty citrus, delicate nutty oils, rich exotic spices with hint of sweetness with light lavender notes and a long peppery finish.

3. Hendrick's 700ml

Photo from @HendricksGin

Hendrick’s is known to be high quality gin in its medicine bottle shape. Most gin drinkers love Hendrick’s to drink neat. Infused with cucumber and rose petals, this is truly an iconic gin that is best enjoyed with tonic water for a classic G&T.

4. Suntory Roku Gin 700ml

Photo from @Suntory_RokuGin

Suntory Roku Gin is Japan’s first gin. This expression is made using a selection of botanicals, including six Japanese botanicals that provide a whistle-stop tour of the four seasons. These include sakura leaf and sakura flower for spring, sencha tea and gyokuro tea for summer, sansho pepper for autumn and yuzu peel for winter. Traditional gin botanicals also featured include the likes of juniper, orange peel, lemon peel, coriander and cinnamon, among others.

5. Beefeater Gin 700ml

Photo from @BeefeaterGin_US

A particularly fresh, clean and crisp gin with a key note of juniper, a subtle citrus and fruit edge, balanced by the spice of coriander and the earthiness of angelica. Beefeater London Dry Gin is a versatile, sociable spirit: its multi-dimensional character means it blends well with other flavours.

Like burger and fries, butter and steak, gin and tonic water taste absolutely perfect together. Gin and tonic is a crowd pleaser for a reason. The next time you’re hosting an e-numan or when you feel like treating yourself, go and check out our Gin collection!