Gin comes in a variety of flavours, distilled to capture a board of fruit and sweet moments that add a kick to any glass of the sumptuous spirit. But if your drinks cabinet is packed with gin flavours, you may be letting yourself down by only pairing them with tonic water or lemonade. While these can help you appreciate the flavours of your spirit of choice, we should always remember that any great gin cocktail benefits from layering flavours to create a delicate but powerful taste that leaves you wanting more.
By selecting the right gin, gin mixers, and garnishes, you can muddle a mix to impress any gin connoisseur. In our books, the top five best gin mixers are:
1. Rose Lemonade
2. Pink Rhubarb Tonic Water
3. Ginger Beer
4. Valencian Orange Tonic Water
5. Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water
Here, we look at the best five gin mixers and the best pairings that you need to try with them today.
ROSE LEMONADE
Rose Lemonade takes the familiar and adds romantic refinement to a classic gin mixer. Dive into the world-famous Rose Valley in Kazanlak, Bulgaria to taste the essence of pure Otto rose oil. Used for some of the finest perfumes, Otto rose oil raises the roof on this botanical lemonade. Rose Lemonade can be mixed with champagne or prosecco for a rose spritz cocktail. But as a gin mixer, rose lemonade really shines.
Rose Lemonade gin cocktail
Rose lemonade and violet gin create a picturesque cocktail that’s perfect for any party. Mix your gin, gin mixer, and garnish with ice.
Rose Lemonade gin cocktail recipe:
1. 50ml Boe Violet Gin
2. 200ml Fentimans Rose Lemonade3
3. Garnish with lavender sprig
PINK RHUBARB TONIC WATER
Sweet rhubarb and botanical extracts combine for a tonic that reminds us of old sweet shops and pastoral fruit gardens. An essential English garden plant, you can use Pink Rhubarb Tonic Water to create a wonderfully English gin cocktail.
The English garden cocktail
The English garden cocktail incorporates botanical tones and fresh flavours to give you the taste of a classic country garden. A simple and effortless recipe, it’s the perfect drink for any green-fingered worker.
English garden cocktail recipe:
1. 50ml Bombay Sapphire English Estate Gin
2. 200ml Fentimans Pink Rhubarb Tonic Water
3. Garnish with lemon and mint sprig
GINGER BEER
While a gin on ice can help cool your spirits, the right gin mixer can raise the temperature. With a lip-tingling sensation, ginger beer adds warmth and packs a punch to your botanical beverage. Paired with a berried gin and garnished with summer fruits, ginger beer can be the ultimate gin mixer.
Ginger Beer and Berries
Combining a blackberry gin with ginger beer can add a buzz to any drink order. Its bursts with flavours, while being easy and quick to make.
1. Ginger beer and berries recipe:
2. 50ml blackberry gin
3. 200ml Fentimans Ginger Beer
4. Garnish with blackberries and basil
VALENCIAN ORANGE TONIC WATER
Get a taste of Spain with Valencian Orange Tonic Water, a sweet tonic that brings out all the citrus flavours of a rich orange. No fridge should be robbed of this sensuous tonic water, that pairs well with a variety of gins as both a summer and winter drink. If you want to get the full taste of Valencian Orange Tonic Water, then a simple dry gin can do wonders — it’s the garnish that makes a difference.
Valencian Orange, garnished to perfection
Using Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water with a dry gin can help elevate the citrus flavours. The garnishes are what matter with this gin cocktail.
Gin and Valencian Orange recipe:
1. 50ml of Bombay Sapphire English Estate Gin
2. 200ml Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water
3. Garnish with orange slices, thyme, or cinnamon.
While orange slices raise the flavour of the tonic water, thyme or cinnamon can add sophistication to the palate, maturing the cocktail with a floral or aromatic taste.
PINK GRAPEFRUIT TONIC WATER
Light and flavoursome, Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water adds class to any drinks cabinet. Pink in every sense of the name, this botanical tonic water combines grapefruit and herbal extracts that elevate any gin cocktail. But perhaps gin is not for everyone. No need to worry, Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water can be used in the ultimate mocktail.
Queen of Tonic mocktail
The Queen of Tonic mocktail contrasts the sweetness of grapefruit and honey with the spice of peppercorns and citrus of lemon. The mixer can be used to create a non-alcoholic drink that any gin lover would still love.
The Queen of Tonic mocktail recipe:
1. 200ml Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water
1. 1 lemon or lime (juiced)
3. 2tbsp of honey or syrup
4. Garnish with ½ grapefruit (sliced)
5. Black peppercorns (optional)
Find your favourite gin mixer and explore cocktail recipes to perfect your drinks selection at home or your business.