The Best Gins for a Gin and Tonic

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction: The gin and tonic rose to prominence in India at the height of British Imperialism to encourage English colonizers to consume quinine, an antimalarial derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. 

To make the bitter compound palatable, the story goes, the Brits combined their daily supplement with sugar and water, in a mix that the Schweppes company would eventually go on to label “Indian Tonic Water.” 

Obviously, the addition of gin helped the medicine go down in a far more delightful way. 

Nearly two centuries later, this bright and zesty classic remains a staple at home bars and cocktail dens around the globe. Sales of the drink’s two main ingredients are still in the hundreds of millions. In 2024, global sales of tonic water reached $1.29 billion. Meanwhile, gin sales globally hit $24.5 billion.

As part of that growth, there have been an increased number of tonic waters designed especially to enliven the two-ingredient cocktail even further “with additional flavorings like yuzu or elderflower,” says Wine Enthusiast spirits reviewer Kara Newman. “I have seen tonics made specifically for G&Ts, some with botanicals to complement a specific gin.” 

While the opposite isn’t true—Newman doesn’t know of gins made specifically for the two-ingredient cocktail—she notes that “a wide range of gins work well with tonic water, especially those with bright citrus, pine-like juniper or fresh herb notes.” 

It’s hard to go wrong (aside from “mixing barrel-aged gins with tonic water,” says Newman), but we figured it was time to make it even easier to do the G&T right. From versatile gins that play well with an array of tonics to selections with lots of citrus, read on to learn all about Newman’s top gin picks for a gin and tonic.

Best Overall Gin for a G&T: Four Corners American Gin

“This versatile Oregon-made gin works well in a G&T but also a Negroni or Gimlet,” says Newman. “The flavors range widely—from citrusy to herbaceous to a final floral exhale—meaning it can play well with a variety of specialty tonics.”

Four Corners American Gin

Citrus and anise enhance the aroma. The complex palate opens with lemongrass and salted licorice, then fades into dusty dried herbs, notably sage and thyme, plus a final floral exhale. Negroni ready. 92 points. — Kara Newman  $33 Total Wine

Best Affordable Gin for a G&T: Ranch Hill Country Gin

“Packaged in a one-liter size, that means more G&Ts per bottle vs. a 750-ml size,” Newman says. “We also liked the robust lemon and grapefruit peel aromas and flavors.”

Ranch Hill Country Gin

The citrusy aroma leads to a crisp, equally citrusy and robust palate that highlights lemon and grapefruit peel. The tingly ginger and white pepper fade includes charcoal and a floral hint. Distilled from organic corn. 91 points. — K.N. $16 Tony K.’s Home of Fine Spirits