7 Perfect Tonics for a G&T

Gin is the star of the show when it comes to the iconic G&T, no one will deny that, but with just two ingredients, it’s essential that you’ve got the right tonic too… after all, it will be making up most of the liquid in your glass!

Gone are the days of one simple tonic on supermarket shelves, because these days there all kinds of wonderful botanical innovations to take your G&T in an endless number of directions, but today we’re focusing on classic Indian tonics to make a classic G&T.

With such a subtle concoction, something as simple as the wrong tonic can ruin a G&T, so take a look at our go-to options below, sorted in price order, and see which suits your G&T serve best!

And once you’re done, you of course need a showstopping gin to go with, which it just so happens we have recently been hard at work on with The Best Gins for a G&T.

Morrisons Indian Tonic Water

Most supermarkets do their own tonic, with mixed success, but the best is Morrisons. At 80p a litre, it provides surprising balance for a budget, no-frills tonic. There’s plenty of fizz, a little sweeter but very little botanical flavouring so if you’re trying a premium gin, maybe treat yourself to something a little more refined but on the daily, this is reliable.

Size: 1L
Find here: 80p for 1

Franklin & Sons Premium Indian Tonic Water

This Victorian brand are true pioneers in this space with a range that is an absolute joy to explore, each beautifully bottled, natural, and expertly made. Their premium Indian Tonic is pure natural botanicals with gentle citrus flavours, cinchona bark extract and sparkling spring water, and stands up very well to juniper-forward gins for a classic G&T profile. You can discover some of their other fantastic flavours here.

Size: 500ml
Find here: £13.50 for 8

Double Dutch Indian Tonic Water

This smooth operator includes a welcome pink grapefruit touch to its citrus profile, unfolding into classic quinine with a hint of juniper too. There’s a bit more to this than most tonics, so you’ll need to pair it with a bold, flavourful gin because it runs the risk of overpowering a delicate number. It’s delicious with a lot of character for a tonic and well worth trying.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £18.95 for 24

Classic London Tonic Water by The Artisan Drinks Company

A quintessential tonic water with impressive softness and clean character. Three natural citrus flavours enhance the subtle botanicals of your paired gin, which for this tonic should be drier, premium gins. Stylish label, stylish tonic.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £19.99 for 24

Fentimans Connoisseurs Tonic Water

If you’re into delicate, nuanced, and ultra-premium complex gins, then Fentimans could be a good way to go. The quinine and citrus have been dialled down so the gin won’t be overpowered, so if you’re fed up of tonic botanicals making it difficult to explore your gin, look no further.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £19.99 for 24

Fever Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water

One of the more popular tonics for good reason, Fever-Tree has an expansive range but at the heart of it is their flagship award-winning Indian Tonic, infused with high quality quinine from the ‘fever’ tree in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nothing artificial, pure crisp and fresh tonic perfect for pretty much any gin – Hayman’s and Hendrick’s both work a treat though.

Size: 150ml
Find here: £5 for 8

Schweppes Signature Collection Crisp Tonic

Finely balanced quinine bitterness with light effervescence – just what you want from a classic tonic. You’ll be able to find this in supermarkets now and then, but if not then the Schweppes regular tonic isn’t a massive drop off either – both are good, but the Signature does have a refined elevation to it. It goes with lots of different gins, but London Dry like Portobello Road and Gordons works a dream.

Size: 150ml
Find here: £8.73 for 8

To find your perfect gin to go with, check out our selection here! And for more tonics with innovative flavours, go here.

The Best Gins for a G&T 2023

Gin and Tonics can take some getting used to, but if you’re served a good one then you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. With just gin and tonic, it’s so important that the driving force, the gin, is perfect.

The following bottles deliver an array of botanicals that pair perfectly with various tonics, plenty of complexity to keep things interesting, and enough bold flavour to be the star of the show.

Cross Keys Gin

Cross Keys Gin, the key to a perfect G&T! Straight from the heart of Latvia, this small-batch wonder is like a botanical bouquet with a Baltic twist. With botanicals like chamomile, linden blossoms, rosemary, and juniper, it's like a walk through a blooming garden. Pair this award winner with a twist of lemon, a sprig of rosemary and a splash of Mediterranean Tonic and away you go.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £25.89

Canaïma Gin

Invented to support the Amazon rainforest and the natives that still occupy parts of it, this gin gets closer to its cause than any we’ve seen. Not only does it use an intricate blend of rare botanicals like uve de palma and copuazu merey fruit, but they’re even hand-picked by these Venezuelan native tribes. The result makes for an earthy, more savoury led G&T with plenty of herbaceous notes and a fruity tang. A great story, and a fantastic gin at the end of it all.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: UK £31

Orkney Rhubarb Old Tom Gin

There’s been a flurry of rhubarb-infused gins and this is one of the best. Locally grown rhubarb adds a twist and tang to Orkney’s classic Old Tom, creating a harmonious balance of tartness and smooth sweetness. Other botanicals include citrus, rose petal, cinnamon and citrus which round off a really classy gin that makes for G&T with notable zest, florality and warmth.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £32.90

BVI Gin

Here's a gin with a heart as big as its flavour. BVI Gin, born from the aftermath of Hurricane Irma which devastated the British Virgin Islands in 2017. It’s full of flavour this one, with a beautiful richness and intensity from punchy juniper, hibiscus flower, angelica root and most noticeably, vivid grapefruit that works a treat.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £35.95

Lind & Lime Gin

Inside this stunning bottle is a zesty gin packed with pink peppercorn and lime. In fact, it’s so limey that it’s named in honour of Dr. James Lind, who pioneered the battle against scurvy with limes. It’s one of the most refreshing gins out there, and a little tonic and of course, a lime slice makes for a stonking G&T.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: £34.40

Blackeye Gin

Blackeye, created by rugby legends Mike Tindall, James Haskell, and Alex Payne, this gin is like a scrum of botanicals from rugby-playing nations worldwide. It's got a citrusy kick, a floral twist, and even a secret ingredient. This all comes together for a silky, citrusy G&T with a hearty crunch of juniper at its core.  Don't forget the orange garnish – it's a game-changer.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.95

Blue Bottle Dry Gin

A true sip of Guernsey's charm, Blue Bottle is crafted with juniper, nutmeg, and even local gorse flowers, it's like a botanical bouquet from the Channel Islands. It’s eyebrow raising in its smoothness, with a delicious fresh and lively profile that prevails even with the higher alcohol percentage. Vanilla and cubeb back up a juniper-forward gin that goes well with Mediterranean or Indian tonic.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £38.95

Seven Hills Tokaj Gin

You’re looking at a serial award winner with Seven Hills, scooping gongs at all the top international competitions. Hungary’s rich winemaking history meets the depth of 21 handpicked botanicals including local Hungarian Linden leaf grapes. Juniper, pine and pink grapefruit keep things fresh in a totally unique and delicious gin that makes for a floral and woody G&T. A must try for gin connoisseurs.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £38.95

If you want to try something a little more elaborate than a G&T, then try making the best versions of The Most Popular Gin Cocktails with these delicious bottles above.