A gin and tonic is a highball cocktail made with gin and tonic water poured over a large amount of ice. The ratio of gin to tonic varies according to taste, strength of the gin, other drink mixers being added, etc., with most recipes calling for a ratio between 1:1 and 1:3. It is usually garnished with a slice or wedge of lime. To preserve effervescence, the tonic can be poured down a bar spoon. The ice cools the gin, dulling the effect of the alcohol in the mouth and making the drink more pleasant and refreshing to taste.
Gin and tonic with lime wedge
Gin and tonic made with Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin and Schweppes Indian Tonic, garnished with slices of lime
A gin and tonic with ice and lemon wedge
Gin and tonic made from Estonian Crafter's Gin. The botanicals in the gin have turned the drink pink in colour
Gin is a distilled alcoholic drink flavoured with juniper berries and other botanical ingredients.
A selection of bottled gins for sale in Georgia, United States, 2010
Hogarth's Gin Lane (created 1750–1751).
George Cruikshank's engraving of The Gin Shop (1829).