5 Tips You Didn't Know You Needed While Making Cocktails Using Tonic Water
One of the most commonly used mixers for blending cocktails containing good quality gin and vodka is tonic water. This clear drink containing the light bitterness of quinine goes well with the herbaceous notes of gin, just as much as it complements the crisp and robust flavours of vodka. So, a cocktail made using 45 ml Gordon’s Tonic Water or any other tonic water of choice is complete with a proportionate flavour balance that leads to much of its popularity.
From classic cocktails like gin and tonic to the more complex and dynamic mixes like a flavoured vodka and tonic twist, a number of diverse blends can be prepared using this mixer. The most significant reason for this is the sheer versatility of tonic water which enables a mixologist to imbue many cocktails with a number of herbs, citrus fruits and savoury ingredients that seem to blend rather fluently with the quinine tartness of the mixer. But using tonic water in cocktails – although it seems like a simple step – requires just a tad bit of skill.
Read on below for some tips that you can add to your mixology know-how for blending cocktails using tonic water like a total pro:
Choose The Right Tonic Water
The most basic tip while blending drinks using this mixer is to choose the right kind of tonic water. Some of these are slightly sweeter than others and some carry too much of a bitter note. Go for the Goldilocks middle and choose a tonic water which uses less sugar and real quinine. Premium tonic water such as a Gordon’s Tonic Water added to drinks like a classic gin and tonic can be a suitable option for crafting a balanced blend. Tonic water flavoured with elderflower, grapefruit or yuzu can also be used for complementing specific spirits while practicing more advanced mixology.
Balance Is Key
While tonic water and a spirit such as Tanqueray No. 10 Gin or any other premium gin of choice, might seem like two simple ingredients required to put together a classic G&T, blending such a cocktail is an intelligent process. Arriving at the right flavour balance is what makes this enduring blend shine and one way to do this is to use just the right amount of tonic water. Tonic water lends body and composition to a cocktail but the main ingredients remain the fruity accents and the flavours of spirits added to the drink. So use a mixer like Gordon’s Tonic Water in a 1:1 or a 1:2 ratio to retain the personality of the cocktail.
Also Read: What Exactly Is Tonic Water And Can You Make It At Home For A G&T Cocktail?
Add Lots Of Ice
Many amateur mixologists gloss over one of the main elements that makes tonic cocktails shine – temperature. Cold and crisp vodka tonic or gin and tonic is what remains enduringly popular. So, while using Gordon’s Tonic Water or any other tonic water of choice for blending drinks, always add plenty of ice to the serving glass to arrest the speed of dilution, maintain a light frost and retain the carbonation which lends these concoctions their fizzy texture.
Garnish With Complementary Flavours
Tonic water when paired with suitable garnishes can actually build into the flavours of a cocktail. This is a very dynamic mixer and goes well with herbs like thyme, rosemary, basil and mint. It also pairs suitably with oranges, grapefruits and berries and savoury ingredients like cucumbers and olives. So, when making a gin and tonic using 60 ml Gordon’s Tonic Water or any other tonic water of choice, be sure to supplement it with complementary garnishes.
Never Shake Tonic Water
One of the more significant mixology tips essential for blending cocktails using tonic water is – never shake, always stir. Since tonic water is carbonated, shaking it not only creates a mess but also flattens its fizz. So, blend a vodka tonic by topping the spirit off with 45 ml Gordon’s Tonic Water or any other tonic water of choice, and stir this mix gently to combine all the cocktail ingredients.
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