Living in London, I became something of a Gin & Tonic connoisseur. From following Amy Winehouse’s lead and warbling about Tanqueray to getting into the cucumber craze of Hendricks and Tonic with a cool slice of cucumber on the side, I was waaay into Gin even before the latest Gin craze took off. One of my favourite Gin related memories is of me being a boozy, bossy cow over a very poorly made G&T in a London pub, one night after work.
The Crown and Two Chairman pub in Soho Square was a very popular place for those who worked in media and advertising to hang out after work. And, of course, I absolutely loved hanging out in pubs after work, drinking my fill of G&Ts, a popular Friday evening affair for me and my colleagues. This particular evening, I ordered a G&T in this renowned London drinking establishment and was handed what I describe as The Worst G&T Ever. Here’s why:
- Gordon’s Gin (satisfactory, just OK)
- Schweppes Tonic (satisfactory, just OK)
- One lonely little ice cube (melted in seconds and watered down my drink without chilling it)
- No lemon or lime
That dismal attempt at a G&T brought about my bossiest, Bet Lynchiest, barmaid self and I promptly took the sad beverage back to the bar where I gave the bartender a lesson and a lecture on G&T making.
The key elements to a decent G&T are all about the quality of the gin, the quinine of the tonic and the obligatory ice and a slice. In fact, I like to take it a step further (quelle surprise) and add a slice and a squeeze of citrus. Lemon or lime (or both) are necessary to counter the dryness of the gin and tonic.
As for the ice, and this was a key chapter in my London Lesson on G&T, it is absolutely crucial that you add enough ice to chill the gin and tonic without melting too fast. This means you need volume. Ideally a large enough glass is needed to enable you to fill it up with a double measure of gin (yes, that’s right, this should be a gin-forward drink), half a mini can or bottle of tonic, and a great giant handful of ice so that the ice has enough ice cube friends to keep each other cold and not melt too quickly that you end up with a watered-down disaster of a drink.
British Pub Landlady Extraordinaire
Translating a classic cocktail into a mocktail
Well, I am certainly not here to romance the G&T of my old boozy ways. Nope, I am here to let you know the good news!! All of these extremely Type-A techniques of making a good ol’ G&T are absolutely, 100%, still relevant for a G&T, hold the G. In fact, they are crucial. Lean into the art and disciple of making a decent G&T, whether you lose the G entirely and enjoy Tonic with ice and a slice, or substitute the gin for a fantastic, new -to-the-market non-alcoholic gin from the likes of Ritual or Monday. Be sure to use a quality tonic, whatever way you choose to make this drinkie poo, as the quality of the quinine is critical!! Quinine is the key ingredient that creates the gentle bitterness in tonic water and if you think you are going to get the same delicious drink from a grocery-store brand $0.99 tonic, think again! As Fever Tree puts it, when 3/4 of your drink is the mixer, it matters.
Let’s talk about Ritual alternative gin, my favourite non-alcoholic gin thus far on my sober curious journey. The crisp, refreshing bite of gin, without the alcohol or calories. This elixir was awarded the gold standard by the ‘Beverage Tasting Institute’ and it does a good job of creating tasty beverages without the booze, be it a G&T, hold the G or a ginless gimlet.
“Ritual Zero Proof will have them questioning whether or not it’s better than the original!”
CNBC
As you learn to live alcohol free, some of the largest concerns can be around lifestyle and how to still enjoy cocktail hour without a cocktail in your hand. Preserving the art of cocktail making and translating it into mocktail making is an important step for me to still feel like myself, just an alcohol-free version of myself.
When I gave up drinking, I didn’t agree to giving up my sense of self. I am just becoming a better version of myself and certainly not a complete dullard. G&T, hold the G, poured into Waterford Crystal glassware and served at sunset is just about one of the most beautiful ways to celebrate sobriety. Enjoy!
G&T, hold the G
Ingredients:
- Ritual non-alcoholic gin
- Fever Tree tonic
- Huge amounts of ice, fill the glass
- Generous squeeze of fresh lemon and lime plus a slice for the glass
- Crystal or fancy cocktail glass
Instructions:
- Pour a shot or two of non-alcoholic gin over a full glass of ice
- Top up with Fever Tree tonic water (used the Mediterranean variant here).
- Squeeze in generous amounts of citrus.
Enjoy at sunset or any other appropriate mocktail hour. 🌅