Gin and Tonic

jimmyman · 07-17-2008, 03:41 PM

I haven't seen one for this yet, so I thought I would start off.

About one week ago, I was introduced to the pleasure of a gin and tonic over ice, with lime. The absolute basic stuff - about 2 oz gin, 3-4 oz of tonic water, poured over ice, add a lime wedge and let sit for a minute or two to let the lime seep into the drink then enjoy. I must admit that I prefer the Canada Dry tonic water (with quinine) right now. Tried Tanqueray and blech! I will likely try others, but right now Bombay Sapphire is the WAY TO GO! At least for me anyway. Even though I love my beer, especially since I am back in Germany (yeah!), but I went out the other night and got a bottle of Bombay and a 12 pack of CD tonic water. I can do without the lime for now as it does not really seem to make any significant difference to my taste. One thing is for sure though, I can see why the Brits put gin in their tonic water - that stuff tastes like

Anyways, who else out there enjoys a good G & T at the end of the day, or whatever?

jockeys · 07-17-2008, 04:00 PM

Bombay Sapphire is good, but try the Tanqueray No. 10 before you denounce the brand

I myself am a big fan of gin and tonic, nothing like sipping on a fizzy cold one on a stormy day while enjoying a nice cigar. I recommend a maduro cigar with the GNT

nun2sharp · 07-17-2008, 04:10 PM

OH, that german beer, it will spoil you thats for sure. Hows things in Grafenwoer, still as remote as ever.BTW just so I dont go off topic I dont think Ive had a GNT since I was twelve, I remember the girls liking it.

jimmyman · 07-17-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

OH, that german beer, it will spoil you thats for sure. Hows things in Grafenwoer, still as remote as ever.BTW just so I dont go off topic I dont think Ive had a GNT since I was twelve, I remember the girls liking it.

Yeah, that's right the girls do li... Hey wait a minute

Yeah Graf is still in the middle of nowhere, but living here is waaaaaay nicer than training here, and that is in all seriousness. I love my German beer, so for something to take the place even if it's just once in awhile, well that's saying something in my book. Why don't you go get a small bottle and enjoy once again? You probably won't regret it after all

nun2sharp · 07-17-2008, 10:25 PM

Ive heard horror stories about Graf, would love to have a good German bier, but all you can find around here are the watered down knock offs. Thanks for being a good sport.

Spike J · 07-17-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jockeys

Bombay Sapphire is good, but try the Tanqueray No. 10 before you denounce the brand

Tanqueray's is awesome. Funnily enough, you rarely see it here in Blighty. Most goes for export. At least you can find it occasionally. Back when I started on G n T, you could only find it in Duty Free

My favourite has to be Plymouth Gin. It does not have the same harsh dryness as many others. But again it is not common

joke1176 · 07-17-2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jockeys

Bombay Sapphire is good, but try the Tanqueray No. 10 before you denounce the brand

...

AMEN brother. Although I do hesitate mixing it with anything besides ice cubes. It's good stuff!

Nicky B · 07-18-2008, 08:20 PM

Gin =

I think this site has some good recommendations -- Ultimate Gins - Best Gin - BlueKitchen.net -- I've only tried a few, but so far it speaks the truth.

What about other gin drinks? Anyone enjoy a good martini?

Bruce · 07-18-2008, 09:51 PM

Martinis are a wonderful drink. Ever had one delivered that tasted bland at best, only to learn that the bartender assumed vodka until told otherwise? Why oh why can one change to name of a drink by changing the garnish and not change the name of the drink when changing the contents? Martini : Gibson :: olive : onion is not the same as Martini : Martini :: gin : vodka. Idiots!

Ever try Booths gin? Cheap, flavorful and a high juniper quotient; makes a good G&T.

--the lush,

Nicky B · 07-18-2008, 10:22 PM

Nope, never tried Booths. But I know what you mean about the vodka thing! Well, not personally, but people have told me you have to specify gin when you order a martini... really grinds my gears there. What does even more so is all of the "--tini" drinks out there. I guess anything with vodka in it served chilled in a martini glass is basically a martini!

custommartini · 07-19-2008, 12:36 AM

my ear is twitching...someone must be talking about gin!
I'm with Jockeys, tanq 10 is the way to go. I'm also a fan of wet by beefeater and anything now too dry.

sebell · 07-19-2008, 01:16 AM

Gin & Tonic is a great drink, I'm somewhat partial to Sapphire at this point but there
are many more to be tasted. I also like Gin & Soda with a fresh lime as well for some-
thing a little lighter and different.

- Scott

Silver · 07-20-2008, 12:17 PM

As a fairly recent convert to G&T (in the last 4 years) I enjoy a tipple too.

Started off with Gordon's Dry (37.5%), tried Bombay next and I love that one! Had Tanq next which is also awesome, finally followed up by Plymouth and Plymouth Navy strength (47%).

The Plymouth Navy I got as a present for Mother-Outlaw, she was hugely impressed. Spike gets his love of Gin from his Mom for sure.

Does anyone else freeze their lemon/lime slices beforehand?

I also converted my Dad to G&T, so I know he will have a bottle in when we go to see them next month, yay!!!

jimmyman · 07-20-2008, 08:19 PM

I'm definitely going to try freezing the lime slices. Does in contribute in any meaningful way, or is it for some other reason I am unaware of?

Wildtim · 07-20-2008, 09:25 PM

I'm to lazy to freeze the limes. I like mine made with Canada Dry Tonic with Lime. That way I mix up a pitcher for the whole party.

If you order a Martini and they bring it with vodka refus to pay for it and send it back. A Martini has Gin, Vodka Martinis are an invention of the Smirnoff company when they bought sponsership in the James Bond movies not a real drink.

xman · 07-20-2008, 11:37 PM

Alright. Gin is mother's milk to me. My father recently confessed that whenever I got too collicky as an infant, that's how he'd calm me down, with a few drops of gin (I should ask the brand). I'm not about to rain on anybody's parade here. Bombay Saphire is a great gin, especially if you like a bold flavour. That's me very often, but sometimes subtlety is prefered. Tanqueray is also excellent and suits more tastes. I never look down my nose at it like I might do a Beefeater. Won't stop me from drinking or enjoying a Beefeater, just spitting a few sour grapes before I do.

I'm here to help you out if you're just a wee bit adventurous and truly enjoy a G&T. I've recently tried Hendrick's which has a wonderfully delicate flavour. It didn't make the martini I was hoping it would, but I used a lime twist instead of an olive and a dram of single malt instead of the vermouth so some more testing is needed. The mix with tonic however is truly delightful and if you get the chance to try it, don't pass it up. Here's the feather in the hat. DON'T use a lime. This is coming from the man who rails against bartenders who put lemon in my G&T. I was a lime only man for decades. So what will I recommend? Cucumber. That's right. Try it. That's all I'm saying. You may not prefer it, but I damn well guarantee you'll like it. Especially with a subtle Gin like Hendrick's it is a fantastic garnish and flavours the G&T with pure class.

This has been a public service announcement from the xman ... you're welcome.

X

PS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildtim

If you order a Martini and they bring it with vodka refus to pay for it and send it back. A Martini has Gin, Vodka Martinis are an invention of the Smirnoff company when they bought sponsership in the James Bond movies not a real drink.

Hear Hear!

Nicky B · 07-21-2008, 12:19 AM

Cucumber? What?? Hmmm... you've piqued my curiosity. Gonna have to give that one a try...

xman · 07-21-2008, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicky B

Cucumber? What?? Hmmm... you've piqued my curiosity. Gonna have to give that one a try...

I'm having a Plymouth and Tonic with cucumber right now ... yum.

X

trewornan · 07-21-2008, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spike J

My favourite has to be Plymouth Gin. It does not have the same harsh dryness as many others. But again it is not common

Curious that I see it on sale all the time - then again I live rather near Plymouth so maybe it's a regional thing in the UK.

Spike J · 07-21-2008, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trewornan

Curious that I see it on sale all the time - then again I live rather near Plymouth so maybe it's a regional thing in the UK.

Or maybe, quite sensibly, you guys don't want the grockels (?SP) getting their hands on such damn fine gin