Gin might be an ancient spirit; it was created in the 13th-century! But it’s also the trendiest drink today. Gin is more sophisticated than ever — producers have really mastered the art of infusing the clear spirit with botanicals, and now there’s a massive variety for us to choose from.
Gin, though, has a fatal flaw. You can’t really drink it on its own — I mean, you surely can, but it shows its best when mixed with something else. That’s why we’ve put together a list of eight of the best gin mixers, and there’s definitely one for you.
Before you get started, get yourself a bottle of gin at Juicfly.com. Chances are it arrives before you finish reading this!
1. Tonic
Oh, the G&T. Nothing beats the Gin and Tonic, and it’s because tonic water is as odd as gin itself; they’re both infused with the rarest of plants. Did you know tonic water prevented people from getting malaria? The fizzy water has dissolved quinine, a tropical tree bark.
Gin is also infused with roots, herbs, seeds and spices, so it’s only natural the two drinks go well together. The best part? There’s a wide variety of tonic water — some are citrusy, and others are spicy. Look around, and you’ll find the perfect complement for your gin of choice. And don’t forget, a lime wedge will round up your Gin & Tonic nicely.
2. Soda
Soda is the vanilla version of tonic water. It’s equally fizzy, refreshing and thirst-quenching, but it lacks tonic’s mild bitterness. There’s no right or wrong answer here; any gin will taste beautiful with soda, just like it will with tonic.
The thing here is, regular sparkling water won’t steal gin’s spotlight, so if you particularly enjoy a gin brand for its aromatics, then you might want to mix it with soda — it has the stage for itself.
And if you thought soda was just carbonated water, think again. There are plenty of fancy sodas out there, some coming from the most exclusive springs, and yes, you can taste the difference.
3. Dry Vermouth
Did someone order a martini? That’s right. When talking about mixers for gin, we can’t forget about the world’s most famous cocktail. With just a splash of the aromatized and fortified wine, gin becomes a cocktail, just like that.
Dry or French vermouth is lusciously aromatic, although it’s not for everyone - it’s an acquired taste - Once you get the hang of it, you’ll become a martini fan for sure. Did you know the martini was created in the mid-1800s? Probably in the town of Martinez, California. And the original version had much more vermouth than current martinis. That’s the coolest thing about dry vermouth; a few drops go a long way.
4. Lime Juice
Gin often shows herbal, citrusy scents. Using lemon or orange peels in the recipe is not uncommon, and that’s precisely what makes the spirit so compatible with citrus. Besides, lime juice is one of the brightest personalities in the fruit family and has been used to lift gin’s flavor for ages.
If you’ve heard about the Gimlet, a gin-based daiquiri lookalike, or the refreshing Gin Rickey (basically gin lemonade), then you know lime juice is gin’s old friend. Now, if you don’t have limes around, use lemons — what you need is a tangy mixer to give gin a refreshing taste, so experiment with what you have in hand.
5. Cucumber
We have Hendrick’s Gin to blame for this fantastic mixer. The spirit is infused with cucumbers, and now many other gin brands are experimenting with the veggie (actually a fruit) as well.
A cucumber ribbon in your glass is more than a garnish; it lends its fresh personality to the gin. You’ll need a third ingredient, though, whether it’s soda or tonic, to bring gin and cucumber together.
Do you know what else is fun? Muddling some cucumber to form a bright green purée, now combine it with gin and a splash of lime juice and enjoy the simple but sophisticated drink. Let’s show cucumbers some love! You’ve got to eat your greens, right?
6. Tomato Juice
Who said you couldn’t have gin before noon? That’s why the tomato juice exists — to offer you the ultimate a brunch classic. Called the Red Snapper, the combination of gin and tomato juice is gin’s answer to the ubiquitous Bloody Mary.
Tomato juice will strip the gin from some of its lovely scents, and it will add its own flavors, so you might not want to use the most expensive of gins. The regular kind will do, and since tomato juice is quite nourishing and hydrating, this thick drink will prove to be the hangover cure you were looking for. It’s insanely tasty too!
7. Prosecco
Let’s get fancy and mix our gin with Italy’s most famous fizz. Prosecco is no stranger to the world of mixed drinks; it plays a role in many cocktails, including the trendy Aperol Spritz and the classic Bellini.
Well, Prosecco is also compatible with gin, as the wine’s bubbles help the spirit’s aroma rise to the surface, creating a drink that smells as good as it tastes. Besides, you look great with a thin flute glass in hand, so this is the type of cocktail you want to drink on a yacht, just saying. What we love about Prosecco is that it always over-delivers for the price.
8. Ginger Beer
Ginger beer and gin? Why not! Actually, ginger’s heartwarming scents complement gin’s botanicals beautifully. Many gins already have the rhizome in their ingredient list, so we’re just making ginger a bit more noticeable.
Ginger beer and gin come together to become what some folks call the gin-gin mule or the gin mule, and it makes sense. Sure, vodka does an excellent job boozing up ginger beer, but gin adds flavors and aroma as well, so it’s a no-brainer.
Enjoy the gin mixers above and create your own combinations! Mixing drinks is all about experimentation, and let’s face it, it’s hard to put together a gin drink that doesn’t taste awesome! Order your gin and mixers from JuiceFly today, and let’s get mixing!
