Best Tonic Water for Gin

Discovering the Best Tonic Water for Your Gin

There’s a reason why the gin and tonic has remained a staple in cocktail culture for generations, and it’s not just because your Grandma refuses to die. This crisp, refreshing drink is a timeless favorite, balancing the botanical complexity of gin with the effervescence of tonic water. But not all tonics are created equal. No no no.  Choosing the right tonic can transform your G&T from ‘’oh my god this tastes like freshly laid bitchumen’’ to ‘’what a botanical bonanza of flavour, I finally have a reason to live again’’. Choosing the right balance of bitterness and botanicals for your preferred taste will make a world of difference on your G&T adventures.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to select the best tonic water to complement your gin, ensuring you craft a winner every time. Whether you're a gin enthusiast or just starting to explore the nuances of the spirit oversaturating and confusing the market. Finding the right tonic is your next step to mastering a simple, yet satisfying G&T.

Why the Right Tonic Water Matters for Gin Lovers

Tonic water isn’t just a supporting act in the gin and tonic; it’s a vital element that amplifies and balances the unique botanicals in gin. With its combination of quinine’s gentle bitterness, carefully carbonated effervescence, and subtle sweetness, tonic water helps highlight the nuances of each gin style, creating a harmonious and refreshing drink.
From classic London dry to zesty citrus-forward varieties, delicate floral gins, and even coastal-inspired gins, each style benefits from a thoughtfully chosen tonic water:

London Dry Gin: With bold juniper and earthy spice, these gins pair best with a traditional or slightly bitter tonic to preserve their classic profile. Try StrangeLove Tonic No.8 Premium Mixer for a traditional, punchy G&T.

Citrus-Forward Gin: Gins with bright, zesty notes are elevated by tonics featuring light citrus or herbal undertones, enhancing their refreshing character. Try StrangeLove Light Tonic to really let those citrus notes shine.

Floral Gin: The delicate, fragrant notes of floral gins pair wonderfully with lightly sweetened tonic waters or those with subtle botanical infusions for a balanced sip. Try StrangeLove Distiller’s Tonic with notes of Vanilla and wildflower and a mild bitterness profile.

Coastal Gin: Known for their briny, maritime-inspired flavors with hints of seaweed, samphire, or salt, coastal gins shine when paired with a tonic water that has a crisp, clean profile or a touch of minerality to mirror their oceanic essence. Try the low-bitterness StrangeLove Coastal Tonic infused with lively citrus, and coastal herbs.

Choosing the right tonic ensures a perfect balance where the gin and tonic complement each other, transforming your G&T into a drink that’s more than the sum of its parts.

Choosing the Best Tonic Water for Gin and Tonic

When it comes to crafting the perfect gin and tonic, the tonic water you choose plays a crucial role. A 99c tonic water is 99c for a reason, synthetic quinine and a tonne of sugar is used to cover up cheap and nasty ingredients. This is the reason why a carelessly made G&T will give you that ick factor.  A quality tonic water on the other hand, is made from natural quinine and infused with carefully balanced botanicals to further complement the gin’s botanicals. Here’s what to look for when selecting the ideal tonic water for your G&T:

Natural Ingredients: Look for tonic waters made with real quinine and natural flavorings. Artificial sweeteners or additives can muddle the gin's flavors rather than elevate them.

Balanced Sweetness: A great tonic strikes a delicate balance between bitterness and sweetness. Too much sugar can mask the gin’s botanicals, while an overly bitter tonic may overwhelm the drink.

Perfect Carbonation: The carbonation of tonic water is more than just visual appeal—it carries flavors, adds texture, and keeps the drink refreshing. Opt for a tonic with a fine, lasting effervescence.

The goal is to find a tonic water that highlights the unique qualities of the gin you’re using, whether it’s a bold dry tonic, a zesty citrus-forward blend, or a briny coastal gin. 

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Tonic Water for Gin

How Sweetness Impacts Your Gin’s Flavor Profile:

While a touch of sweetness can soften the bitterness of quinine and complement the gin’s botanicals, too much sugar can overwhelm the drink, masking the delicate notes that make each gin unique.

Low-sugar or balanced tonics are an excellent choice for those who want to preserve the intricate flavors of their gin. These tonics allow the botanical profile to shine through—whether it’s the bold juniper of a London dry, the bright zest of a citrus-forward gin, or the subtle salinity of a coastal gin. By avoiding overly sweet mixers, you maintain the complexity and depth that makes each gin distinctive.

StrangeLove’s Light Tonic, a premium low-sugar option made with natural ingredients, is one of the finest choices on the shelves. This tonic delivers a crisp, clean taste with just 2.9 grams of sugar per 100ml, providing the perfect balance to complement any gin. Its delicate sweetness and fine carbonation make it an excellent choice for those who value a refined, modern gin and tonic experience.

The Impact of Carbonation

Carbonation plays a pivotal role in the drinking experience of a gin and tonic. The effervescence not only adds visual appeal but also influences the flavor and texture of the drink. Proper carbonation enhances the vibrancy of the gin and tonic by lifting the botanicals and aromas to your palate, creating a lively and refreshing sip. Conversely, flat or overly aggressive bubbles can dull the flavors or make the drink feel harsh.

The Importance of Natural Ingredients 

When it comes to crafting the perfect gin and tonic, the quality of your tonic water is just as important as the gin itself. Premium tonic waters rely on natural quinine and real ingredients to deliver a clean, authentic flavor that enhances rather than competes with the gin. Artificial additives or synthetic flavors can dull the drink's complexity, masking the botanicals that make each gin unique.

This is why StrangeLove tonics stand out as an ideal match for high-quality gins. Using natural quinine sourced from real cinchona bark and carefully selected ingredients, StrangeLove ensures a crisp, balanced profile in every bottle. Their commitment to quality ingredients means their tonics are free from overpowering sweetness or artificial aftertastes, allowing the gin’s true character to shine.

Best Types of Tonic Water for Different Gin Styles

Classic Tonic Water: The Perfect Match for Dry Gin

When it comes to pairing with a traditional London dry gin, classic Indian tonic water is the go-to choice for a reason. A crisp, clean taste is perfectly suited to the bold, juniper-forward flavor profile that defines London dry gin. The tonic’s natural quinine provides a delicate bitterness, while its subtle sweetness balances the gin's botanicals without overpowering them.

This classic combination brings out the best in a dry gin, highlighting its earthy spices, bright citrus notes, and, most importantly, the signature piney juniper. The carbonation of Indian tonic water also plays a vital role, lifting the botanicals to create a refreshing and lively drink that says ‘’my life may be in shambles, but at least I can make a damn good drink’’

For gin purists and cocktail enthusiasts alike, a gin and tonic made with London dry gin and a high-quality Indian tonic water like StrangeLove Tonic 8 is a timeless pairing that never goes out of style.

Flavoured Tonic Waters:  A Perfect Pairing for Citrus and Botanical Gins

Flavoured tonic waters are a rising trend in the gin world, offering a creative way to enhance the unique characteristics of citrus and botanical-forward gins. With their subtle infusions of complementary flavors, these tonics can elevate the drinking experience, bringing out the nuanced notes of your favorite gin.

Bitter Lemon Tonic: For the lemon die-hards, this old classic enhances the bright, zesty notes of citrus-forward gins, creating a refreshing and invigorating G&T.

Dirty Tonic: Adds a bold, earthy, savoury element that complements herbal gins or those with green botanicals.

Distiller’s Tonic: Delivers a subtle floral, vanilla-like sweetness, making it ideal for pairing with delicate gins featuring botanicals like chamomile, lavender, or rose.

Light or Low-Calorie Tonic Water: The Ideal Pairing for Floral or Delicate Gins

When enjoying a delicate, floral gin, it’s important to choose a tonic water that doesn’t overpower its subtle botanicals. Light or low-calorie tonics are perfect for this, as they offer a cleaner, more refined flavor that lets the gin’s fragrant notes shine through without adding excessive sweetness or weight.

StrangeLove’s Light Tonic are an excellent choice for pairing with floral gins. The carefully crafted tonics provide a crisp, balanced profile with minimal sweetness, allowing the botanicals—whether it’s lavender, rose, or chamomile—to take center stage. 

By opting for a light tonic, you create a G&T that is elegant, refreshing, and perfectly attuned to the nuanced profiles of floral and delicate gins. 

StrangeLove’s Recommended Tonics for Gin

StrangeLove Tonic No. 8: The Perfect Balance for Classic G&Ts

StrangeLove Tonic No. 8 is a beautifully balanced mixer, designed to complement bold gins with its subtly sweet yet crisp profile. With just the right amount of sweetness and a touch of bitterness from natural quinine, it strikes the perfect harmony between refreshing and flavorful, making it an ideal choice for crafting a classic gin and tonic.
The tonic’s gentle sweetness enhances the gin's botanicals without overpowering them, while its fine carbonation adds a lively effervescence that lifts the drink. Whether paired with a bold London dry gin or a rich, spice-forward gin, Tonic No. 8 perfectly balances the complexities of the gin, ensuring a well-rounded, refreshing G&T every time.
For those who appreciate a traditional gin and tonic that’s both sophisticated and smooth, StrangeLove Tonic No. 8 is the ultimate pairing. Its well-crafted formula ensures your classic G&T will always taste its best.

StrangeLove Dirty Tonic: A Bold Twist on Your G&T

StrangeLove Dirty Tonic offers a unique, slightly earthy twist on the classic gin and tonic, perfect for those looking to add complexity to their drink. With its subtle notes of olive and aromatic herbs, this tonic brings a savory depth that pairs beautifully with gins featuring herbal or earthy botanicals.
The earthy profile of Dirty Tonic complements gins with botanicals like rosemary, thyme, or even coastal botanicals such as samphire or seaweed, enhancing their natural flavors and adding a fresh, unexpected layer to the drink. For gin enthusiasts seeking something a bit different from the traditional G&T, StrangeLove Dirty Tonic offers a sophisticated alternative that stands out in both flavor and style.
Whether you’re crafting a coastal-inspired gin and tonic or one with bold herbal notes, Dirty Tonic provides the perfect balance, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a distinctive and memorable twist on their gin and tonic experience.

StrangeLove Light Tonic: The Perfect Low-Sugar Option for Delicate Gins

StrangeLove Light Tonic is an excellent choice for those seeking a low-sugar, refreshing mixer that enhances the delicate flavors of floral gins without overpowering them. With just the right amount of sweetness and natural quinine, this tonic maintains a clean, crisp profile that allows the gin's nuanced botanicals—like lavender, rose, or chamomile—to shine through.

Ideal for health-conscious consumers, StrangeLove Light Tonic contains fewer calories and less sugar than traditional tonics, making it a perfect option for those who want to enjoy a refreshing G&T without compromising on taste or quality. Its fine carbonation and subtle sweetness create a perfectly balanced drink that highlights the floral notes of your gin, ensuring a sophisticated and light gin and tonic experience.

A Bold and Zesty Twist for Your G&T

StrangeLove Bitter Lemon is a vibrant, zesty mixer that brings a sophisticated bitterness to your gin and tonic, making it the ideal choice for bold and complex gins. With its distinct balance of sharp lemon and natural quinine bitterness, this tonic adds depth and a slightly tangy edge that complements the more robust and aromatic botanicals in your gin.

Perfect for gins with a strong herbal, spice-forward, or citrus profile, Bitter Lemon Tonic enhances the drink with a refreshing and tangy twist. The bitterness of the tonic beautifully pairs with gins that have bold juniper, zesty citrus notes, or even earthy botanicals, creating a more dynamic and exciting G&T experience.

For those looking to add a bold, zesty punch to their gin and tonic, StrangeLove Bitter Lemon Tonic offers a unique twist that’s crisp, flavorful, and just the right amount of bitter, making it an ideal mixer for adventurous gin drinkers.

Tips for Crafting the Perfect Gin and Tonic

Glassware and Garnish Selection

The right glassware and garnish can elevate your gin and tonic experience, enhancing both the flavor and the presentation. When it comes to glassware, the choice between a highball or balloon glass can have a subtle impact on your drink.

Highball Glass: The tall, slender shape of a highball glass is perfect for keeping your G&T crisp and cool, while the long shape allows for plenty of room for ice, ensuring your drink stays chilled and refreshing.

Balloon Glass: Often associated with a more elegant, aromatic experience, the wide bowl of a balloon glass gives the gin’s botanicals more space to breathe, allowing you to savor the aromas before you take a sip.

When it comes to garnishes, they not only add visual appeal but also enhance the flavors of your G&T. For StrangeLove tonics, here are some great garnish options to consider:

Lemon: A classic garnish that pairs well with StrangeLove Bitter Lemon, its bright, zesty notes will highlight citrus-forward gins.

Lime: A versatile garnish that complements nearly every style of gin, lime pairs beautifully with StrangeLove’s Light Tonic or Tonic No. 8, adding a refreshing citrus burst.

Cucumber: A crisp, cooling option that works especially well with StrangeLove Light Tonic or Dirty Tonic, enhancing herbal or floral gins with its refreshing, clean flavor.

A thoughtfully chosen garnish can elevate your gin and tonic, making it not just a drink but a full sensory experience.

Perfect Gin-to-Tonic Ratio

The ideal gin-to-tonic ratio plays a key role in crafting a balanced, refreshing gin and tonic. While the ratio can vary based on personal taste, a common guideline is 1 part gin to 2 or 3 parts tonic, depending on how strong or light you prefer your drink.

1:2 Ratio: If you prefer a more gin-forward G&T with a bolder, more pronounced flavor of your chosen gin, a 1:2 ratio (one part gin to two parts tonic) is ideal. This ratio allows the botanicals in the gin to shine while still providing a crisp, refreshing finish from the tonic.

1:3 Ratio: For those who enjoy a lighter, more refreshing drink where the tonic is more pronounced, a 1:3 ratio (one part gin to three parts tonic) is a great option. This allows the tonic to take the lead, making for a more subtle gin experience, perfect for warmer weather or for those who want a less intense gin flavor.

Ultimately, the perfect balance between gin and tonic comes down to personal preference. Experimenting with different ratios will help you find the ideal balance, ensuring a G&T that’s refreshing, flavorful, and tailored to your taste.

Experimenting with Flavours

One of the best parts of crafting the perfect gin and tonic is the opportunity to experiment with different flavours and combinations. With StrangeLove’s range of tonics, you have a wide array of options to enhance and complement your gin’s unique botanicals. From the zesty Bitter Lemon Tonic to the earthy Dirty Tonic and the refreshing Light Tonic, each flavour offers a distinct twist that can elevate your G&T experience.

Don't be afraid to mix and match these tonics with your favourite gin to discover new and exciting combinations. For example, try pairing a citrus-forward gin with StrangeLove Bitter Lemon for a refreshing burst of citrus, or a botanical gin with StrangeLove Tonic No. 8 to highlight its rich herbal notes.

Additionally, experimenting with different garnishes—such as a sprig of rosemary, a slice of cucumber, or a twist of orange peel—can further enhance the flavours and add a touch of creativity to your G&T. Adjusting the gin-to-tonic ratio can also lead to new flavour discoveries, whether you prefer a more gin-forward or tonic-dominant drink.

The world of gin and tonic is full of endless possibilities, and the fun lies in exploring different combinations until you find your perfect G&T. 

Frequently Asked Questions  

Can I Use Flavoured Tonic with Any Type of Gin?

Flavoured tonics are a versatile and exciting way to elevate your gin and tonic experience, but choosing the right one depends on the style of gin you're using. StrangeLove’s flavoured tonics offer flexibility, allowing you to experiment with different gin styles and find the perfect pairing.

Citrus-forward gins (like those with lemon, lime, or orange botanicals) pair wonderfully with StrangeLove Bitter Lemon, as it amplifies the citrus notes and creates a bright, zesty drink.

Herbal or floral gins (with botanicals such as lavender, chamomile, or thyme) are beautifully complemented by StrangeLove Light Tonic, which enhance the gin’s delicate flavours without overwhelming them.

Bold, spice-forward gins (such as those with strong juniper or peppery botanicals) work well with StrangeLove Tonic No. 8 or StrangeLove Bitter Lemon, as these offer a more complex, slightly bitter profile that balances the intensity of the gin.

Is Low-Calorie Tonic Water a Good Choice for Gin?

Low-calorie tonic water can be an excellent choice for those who are health-conscious or looking to reduce sugar intake while still enjoying a refreshing gin and tonic. Many people worry that cutting down on calories means sacrificing flavour, but that’s not the case. Low-calorie tonics can still offer great taste without compromising on the essential characteristics of a classic G&T.

StrangeLove’s Light Tonic is a premium, low-sugar option that maintains the perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness. Made with natural ingredients and fine carbonation, it allows the gin's botanicals to shine through without adding unnecessary calories. This makes it a great choice for those looking for a lighter, more refreshing drink, all while keeping the flavour profile intact.

For those watching their calorie intake, StrangeLove Light Tonic offers the ideal solution—letting you enjoy a flavorful gin and tonic without the extra sugar, making it perfect for a guilt-free, elevated drinking experience.

What’s the Difference Between Indian Tonic Water and Light Tonic Water?

The primary difference between Indian Tonic Water and Light Tonic Water lies in their sweetness and calorie content.

Indian Tonic Water typically contains a higher level of sugar, which gives it a fuller, more rounded sweetness and a more pronounced flavor profile. This makes it a great option for pairing with bold, classic gins, as the sweetness helps balance the bitterness of the quinine and enhances the gin’s botanicals.

Light Tonic Water, on the other hand, is a low-calorie, low-sugar alternative. It offers a lighter, more crisp taste with less sweetness, allowing the gin’s delicate botanicals—such as floral or herbal notes—to shine without being overshadowed by sugar. This makes it ideal for those looking for a lighter, more refreshing drink or for pairing with more subtle gins.

Recommendation:

Choose Indian Tonic Water if you prefer a sweeter, more traditional G&T that pairs well with bold or spice-forward gins.

Opt for Light Tonic Water if you're looking for a health-conscious, lower-calorie option that still offers a refreshing, crisp tonic with less sweetness, perfect for delicate, floral, or citrus-forward gins.

When it comes to crafting the perfect gin and tonic, StrangeLove Tonics stand out as a premium choice for both gin enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers alike. The brand’s commitment to quality, sugar reduction, quality local ingredients and flavour innovation is evident in every bottle, offering an array of mixers that are designed to complement and elevate your gin.

StrangeLove tonics are crafted with premium, natural ingredients that ensure a clean, refreshing taste in every sip. Whether you're looking for a classic tonic water or experimenting with more adventurous options like Light Tonic or Dirty Tonic, each variety is carefully balanced to highlight the best of both the tonic and the gin.