There’s no disputing the appeal of a timeless Gin & Tonic. It’s simple, refreshing, botanical, and perfect for a warm day. Normally a highball cocktail, the Gin & Tonic is made with gin, tonic water, and usually a lime wedge or two. It’s loaded with flavors like citrus and pine, and ends with a memorable, gentle bitterness. What could be better on a hot day, right? Well, there actually is something better. If you didn’t know it, there’s an upgraded version of the classic cocktail, and it’s called the Spanish Gin Tonic (yes, there’s no ‘&’ in this one).
When it comes to warm-weather spirits, in my opinion, nothing beats the botanical and juniper flavor of gin. I’ve enjoyed countless Gin & Tonics on sunny spring and summer days. And, while I do enjoy the simplicity of this drink, I’ve found that its appeal pales in comparison to its Spanish counterpart. This leads us to one question: what exactly is a Spanish Gin Tonic?
What is a Spanish Gin Tonic?
You’ve likely heard of the classic Gin & Tonic, but are you aware of its Spanish counterpart? The Spanish Gin Tonic takes everything you love about this fresh, piney, effervescent drink and cranks it up to eleven. Popular for decades in Spain, this alternate version has gained in popularity beyond the boundaries of the country in the last few years.
On paper, it seems much more complicated than the classic version, but it really isn’t. To make a Spanish Gin Tonic, you need a large glass or a balloon glass (also called a copa de balón) and a lot of ice. Instead of simply adding gin, tonic water, and a twist of lime, this aromatic and extra-flavorful version is known for its adaptability to any palate. To make this elevated version, you will also add ingredients such as cucumber slices, berries, citrus peels, juniper berries, rosemary, and other spices. Simply mix and match your favorite fruits and herbs, and you’re good to go. Not only is it refreshing and delicious, but this cocktail also allows you to show off your creativity.
The best gins for your Spanish Gin Tonic
Now that you’ve learned about the appeal of the Spanish Gin Tonic, the time is right to stock up on some gins for summer mixing. Since you probably want to spend a little more time deciding which herbs, fruits, and vegetables to add to this summery cocktail, I did the gin-finding work for you.
How do I pick the gins for my Spanish Gin Tonic?
You might be wondering how I decide which gins work well in a Spanish Gin Tonic. It’s part trial and error and part logic. In the simplest terms, the gin you’re going to use for a Spanish Gin Tonic can be the same one you use for your summery G & T. You don’t have to go out and purchase different bottles for this drink. London dry gins like Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater, and Tanqueray work well. You can also lean into botanical or fruitier gins.
That said, I also look for a great value-to-quality ratio since these are designed to be mixed with. Below, you’ll find some of the best choices for this aromatic, botanical, flavorful cocktail. Keep scrolling to see them all.
Tanqueray No. TEN London Dry Gin
When making a Spanish Gin Tonic, you can’t go wrong with any expressions from Tanqueray. But, when it comes to mixing, my favorite is Tanqueray No. TEN. This 47.3% ABV London dry gin is made in small batches and infused with flavors like white grapefruit, lime, and orange, as well as juniper, coriander, angelica root, licorice, and chamomile. This results in a balanced, herbal, citrus-driven gin that works perfectly as the base for a Spanish gin Tonic. This complex gin won’t get lost in the shuffle, even if you add multiple herbs and fruits.
Gin Mare
If you want to get truly authentic with your Spanish Gin Tonic, you’ll start with Gin Mare. This Spanish Mediterranean-style gin is flavored with juniper, coriander, lemon, green cardamom, bitter orange, Seville orange, thyme, rosemary, basil, and Arbequina olives. This creates a unique, aromatic gin known for its pleasant mix of herbal, olive, pine, and citrus flavors. Savory, herbal, and memorable, it’s sure to elevate your Spanish Gin Tonic to new heights.
The Botanist Dry Islay Gin
Another great choice for Spanish Gin tonics is the Botanist Islay Dry Gin. This unique gin is flavored with 22 hand-foraged ingredients from its home on the Inner Hebrides island of Islay. It’s produced by Bruichladdich, a distillery well-known for its award-winning single malt Scotch whiskies. This memorable, 46% ABV gin is known for flavors like piney juniper, fresh citrus, and herbal, floral notes. This love song to the island of Islay is guaranteed to add a new dimension to your Spanish Gin Tonic.
