Celebrate National Gin & Tonic Day!

 

April 9th is National Gin and Tonic Day and it's time to celebrate!  This refreshing and classic cocktail was invented by British East India Company officers in the 19th-century, by combining medicinal quinine tonic with gin, sugar, and lime.  The drink evolved from a medicinal prophylactic to the popular and iconic cocktail that we love today.  At Drink The Bottles, we have put together some of the best gin and tonic recipes with some very diverse and delicious gin selections for this special occasion.  

Devil's Grin Texas Gin & Tonic

From Devil's Grin Texas Gin comes a smooth and approachable gin that doesn't give you peaks and valleys.  This gin leads up to a sweeter and slightly spicy finish with a hint of turned earth.

Distillery:  Devil's Grin Gin

Suggested retail price:  $25.00

Drink The Bottles score:  90/100

Gin & Tonic

• 1.5 oz Devil's Grin Texas Gin
• .25 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• Tonic Water
• Garnish:  Grapefruit Slice and Rosemary Sprig

In a highball glass, add Devil's Grin Texas Gin, ice and freshly squeezed lime juice.  Top with tonic water and stir.  Garnish with a grapefruit slice and rosemary sprig.  Delicious!

This gin is very hot in South Carolina right now!  Check out these accolades from those on the "front line" of cocktail crafting:

"This Gin is probably one of the most versatile I've encountered in a decade of bartending. Having worked closely with the gin it definitely shines in something like a simple Gin and Tonic. The citrus and medicinal profile that tonic water provides truly showcases the layers the Devil's Grin has to offer, taking you to every level of the botanicals used to create the gin. For me, I experience the heat of the spirit accompanied by the juniper and cedar elements. This is followed by refreshing citrus notes, floral accents, and a seemingly light smokiness that the tonic's bubbles really highlight, giving you a full spectrum of flavors that masterfully work together as a singular cocktail." - Riley Hurst, The Veranda Lounge at The Loutrel, Charleston, South Carolina 

"Devil’s Grin is one of my go-to gins for crafting a standout gin and tonic. Its bright citrus notes enhance the cocktail’s refreshing character, bringing forward a smooth, subtle sweetness. Concurrently, its earthy undertones and warm mesquite finish add depth and structure—just enough to remind you that you’re drinking a thoughtfully made gin regardless of what you’re mixing it with."- Dylan Rich, The Gin Joint, Charleston, South Carolina 

Muff Irish Gin & Tonic

From the Muff Liquor Company comes their wildly popular Irish Gin.  While most of us think whiskey when we hear Irish, this potato gin is blended with botanicals that include mandarin, juniper berries, citrus peel, elderflower and rosemary.  Add in a whisper of Champagne extract and you have a fabulous liquor that could easily be enjoyed over rocks.  But on National Gin & Tonic Day, we created the iconic cocktail.  The flavors in this take you on a journey of the senses and put a smile on your face!

Distillery:  The Muff Liquor Company

ABV:  40.0% (80 proof)

Suggested retail price:  $37.99

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

Gin & Tonic

• 2 oz Muff Irish Gin
• Premium Indian Tonic Water
• Garnish:  Orange Slice and Rosemary Sprig

Pour gin into highball glass with ice.  Top with premium Indian tonic water and stir.  Garnish with an orange slice and rosemary sprig.

Damrak Gin & Tonic

From Amsterdam, comes "The Best DAM Gin", courtesy of Damrak.  This citrus-forward liquor is a potpourri of seventeen different ingredients, resulting in flavors that awaken the senses.  This isn't your grandpa's old gin of yesteryear!  The primary distillate comes from Curacao orange peels, providing the citrus background and solid base for a delicious gin.  You get a freshness that is reminiscent of island fruits with sweet and herbaceous flavors that linger.  This is a really fun and refreshing gin!

Distillery:  Damrak Amsterdam Gin

Suggested retail price:  $27.99

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

Gin & Tonic

• 2 oz Damrak Gin
• Tonic Water
• Garnish:  2 Orange Wheels

Add gin to a spritz glass with ice.  Top with quality tonic water and stir.  Garnish with 2 orange wheels for a citrus-forward gin and tonic.

Vim & Petal Gin & Tonic

Back in the United States, a classic dry gin is creating its own footprint.  From Middle West Spirits in Columbus, Ohio is Vim & Petal, a gin that reminds you why you drink gin and tonic.  The distillery boasts eighteen botanicals in the bottle, ranging from soft red winter wheat to Sichuan peppercorn to hibiscus and other delicious goodies in between.  The result?  A myriad of flavors that lead you down a path of spice, earthy goodness and ending in an herb garden.  For an "old fashioned" gin and tonic fan, this is your jam!

Distillery:  Middle West Spirits

ABV:  42.0% (84 proof)

Suggested retail price:  $29.99

Drink The Bottles score:  90/100

Gin & Tonic

• 2 oz Vim & Petal American Dry Gin
• Tonic Water
• Garnish:  Long, Thin Ribbon of Cucumber Peel and Mint Sprig

Add gin to a highball glass with ice.  Top with quality tonic water and stir.  Add the long, thin ribbon of cucumber peel to the glass.  Garnish with a mint sprig.

“We love having Vim and Petal as our house gin because of how flavorful it is. The best way I think to introduce it to someone unfamiliar with it is in a Gin and Tonic. The mix of 18 botanicals give it a beautiful and unique depth of flavor. The slight spice from Sichuan peppercorns, Cardamon, and Coriander pair with floral and citrus notes of Jasmine, Rose, Lemon peel, and Hibiscus. We love using Fever Tree Indian Tonic which includes rare ingredients such as marigold extracts and bitter orange from Tanzania. This tonic has no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or flavorings which allow the botanicals of the gin to truly shine. I love to finish it with a bit of lemon juice and an expressed lemon peel overtop which highlights the light botanicals and citrus notes in the tonic.”  Oscar Leyva, The Lion - Bexley, Ohio 

Gunpowder Irish Gin & Tonic

Gunpowder Irish Gin is available in various flavor offerings with the same proof point.  The blue bottle is the gin that features Oriental Botanicals and Gunpowder Tea.  Ancient copper stills do most of the work creating this unique concoction.  Add in the botanicals and fresh citrus and you have a gin that transports you to a grapefruit grove and fresh salty sea air.  This is one of those spirits that provide you with a history lesson with each sip.  Learn more about Drumshanbo, Ireland and the travels of PJ Rigney when you're sipping this gin and tonic.

Distillery:  The Shed Distillery (US)

ABV:  43.0% (86 proof)

Suggested retail price:  $37.99

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

Gin & Tonic

• 1.5 oz Gunpowder Irish Gin
• Premium Chilled Tonic Water
• Garnish:  Wedge of Red Grapefruit

Fill a rocks glass with ice.  Add the gin and top off with premium chilled tonic water.  Stir and garnish with a wedge of red grapefruit.

Don't just take our word for it!  Here's the feedback from The Mean Fiddler Irish Bar in New York City:

"I usually prefer a classic Gin & Tonic, so the original Gunpowder Gin is my go-to. It’s crisp, balanced, and does exactly what you want it to do. I’ve been a fan since it first launched. If I’m in the mood for something brighter, I’ll reach for the Gunpowder Sardinian Citrus Gin — the lemon really comes through and keeps it fresh. I also love the tropical notes in the Pineapple expression, which works beautifully in a G&T and also shines in cocktails." - Megan Staniford, Bartender at Mean Fiddler, New York City

Gracias a Dios Agave Gin & Tonic

From Mexico comes the highest proof gin in our featured brands.  Culinary traditions and 32 infused botanicals create a gin with a surprising smoky finish.  The 32 botanicals represent the 32 states of the Mexican Republic, leaning on heritage and history to create an excellent, smooth gin that is extremely versatile and smooth.   Friends of ours have also let us in on a little secret about this selection.  Apparently it is incredible in jalapeno-sytle summer cocktails.  We are on a hunt for recipes!

Distillery:  Gracias a Dios

ABV:  45.0% (90 proof)

Suggested retail price:  $39.99

Drink The Bottles score:  95/100

Gin & Tonic

• 1.5 oz Gracias a Dios Agave Gin
• Tonic Water
• Garnish:  Lime and Lemon Wheels and Mint

Fill a goblet or highball glass with ice.  Add the gin, top with tonic water and stir gently.  Garnish with lime and lemon wheels and mint.

“Gracias a Dios Oaxaca Gin is one of my favorite picks for a Gin & Tonic because it has enough juniper to feel true to gin, but also a subtle mezcal-like structure that gives the drink more depth and personality. It’s fragrant on the nose, very light and smooth on the palate, with a clean finish and a botanical edge that works beautifully with tonic. The result is a G&T that feels fresh, balanced, and just a little more interesting than the classic build.” - Ali Ahmaz, Bartender at L’Avenue at Saks, NYC

Alternatively, for those seeking an alcohol-free option on National Gin & Tonic Day, we have a couple of brand partners that can help you with that!

Damrak Virgin Gin & Tonic

The folks from Amsterdam worked two years to perfect their Virgin Gin.  This is ideal for those chasing sobriety and also the health-conscious.  You get similarly lovely flavors as the alcoholic counterpart, but with no guilt and no chance of a hangover.  This is a fantastic alternative!

Distillery:  Damrak Amerstam Gin

ABV:  0.0% (0 proof)

Suggested retail price:  $24.99

Virgin Gin & Tonic

• 2 oz Damrak Virgin
• Tonic Water
• Garnish:  2 Orange Wheels

Add gin to a spritz glass with ice.  Top with tonic water and stir. Garnish with two orange wheels.

Fluère Raspberry Alternative Pink Gin & Tonic

Here's a very tasty alternative to Pink Gin that has zero alcohol and almost zero calories.  Very fruity and smooth, you get pine needle, citrus and fresh raspberry notes on the nose and palate.  While we are focusing on gin & tonic today, we are told that Fluère Raspberry also makes a great Raspberry Collins and a refreshing Mojito.  Endless choices!  This is a 700mL bottle.

Distillery:  Lucas Bols

ABV:  0.0% (0 proof)

Suggested retail price:  $34.99

Virgin Gin & Tonic

• 1.75 oz Fluère Raspberry Blend
• Tonic Water
• Garnish:  Raspberries

Add Fluère to a highball glass with ice.  Top with tonic water  and stir.  Garnish with a fresh raspberry or two.

We hope that you celebtrated National Gin & Tonic Day with us and that you try some of these delicious gins from our partners.  Whether you're looking for a London dry gin, a gin with exotic flavors or something non-alcoholic, there are plenty of choices for everyone.  Cheers!