5 different ways to spice up a G&T this summer

From freezing your garnishes to lowering your fridge temperature, Keely Doll has the best tips and recipes for the perfect G&T

Despite the summer heat, don’t overdo the ice (Getty/iStock)

What’s summer without a gin and tonic? Although the bars are open, you don’t have to go out to enjoy this summer classic.

Here are some tips and recipes from Greenall’s Master Distiller, Joanne Moore, to help you serve up perfect G&Ts all summer long.

• Keep your gin refrigerated: Although most people store their gin in a cupboard, a handy tip is to store the bottle in the fridge. This will help to keep it refreshingly cool.
• Lower your fridge temperature: While a standard fridge at home is set to 7C, it is actually proven best to reduce to 5C to account for opening and closing of the door. Essentially by chilling the drink at this temperature, you are helping to reduce the alcohol perception on the tastebuds, therefore allowing the flavours of the gin to shine through – making for a more enjoyable and refreshing drinking experience. 
• Aim for a 25-minute window: Based on a single measure of Greenall’s Gin (25ml) vs 7.5 parts tonic, and chilled at 5C, a G&T will stay perfectly carbonated for approximately 25 minutes – therefore when having a drink at home, consider this the optimum time for enjoying the perfect refreshing G&T after you’ve made it.
• Hi-balls over balloons: Balloon glasses may be all the rage, but a traditional hi-ball is actually just as good for maximising coldness. Chill the glass itself in the freezer, and, once removed, the length of the glass will help keep the drink cooler for longer, reducing the amount of air that gets into the drink.
• Don’t overdo the ice: While ice is the obvious go-to for keeping drinks cold, too much of the wrong-sized, or even cracked, ice can actually dilute the drink as it melts quicker and so therefore limits the flavour profile of the gin. Three quarters of a glass full is the optimum amount – and if the gin and tonic themselves are already chilled to the best temperature, the ice should take longer to melt
• Freeze your garnishes: While the gin and tonic are obviously the most important parts, garnish also plays a vital role in maximising coldness and flavour too. For Greenall’s Gin, we recommend using lemon and lime, so slice these up and place in Tupperware – to limit freeze burn – and place in your freezer up to 24 hours in advance of enjoying your drink.
• Slow and steady: If enjoying a tipple from a can at home, consider pouring into glassware slowly so you don’t lose any of that important fizz – just as you would when pouring a beer.

Basil smash

(Greenall’s)

Ingredients:

50ml Greenall’s original gin

25ml fresh lemon juice

12.5 sugar syrup

8 torn fresh basil leaves

Method:

1. Add basil to the base of a cocktail shaker and muddle gently.

2. Add Greenall’s Gin and remaining ingredients.

3. Shake over ice and strain.

4. Pour into an ice-filled tumbler glass.

Summer garden

(Greenall’s)

Ingredients:

50ml Greenall’s original gin

10ml pink grapefruit juice

Pink lemonade

Strawberry slices

Sprig of rosemary

Method:

1. Add 50ml Greenall’s to glass.

2. Add 10ml pink grapefruit juice and a handful of strawberry slices.

3. Fill glass with ice then top up with pink lemonade.

4. Stir gently to combine.

5. Slap rosemary sprig “to wake up” then use to garnish along with strawberry slices and a few cracks of black pepper

Blueberry and honey punch

(Greenall’s)

Ingredients:

350ml Greenall’s Blueberry gin

100ml lime juice

150ml honey water (mix honey and water in equal parts)

2 sprigs of fresh mint

Blueberries

Prosecco

Strawberry slices to garnish

Method:

1.Add Greenall’s Blueberry Gin to pitcher, followed by lime juice and honey water.

2. Take mint and pull off the leaves and slap to “wake up” the mint before adding.

3. Pour in a handful of blueberries and loads of ice.

4. Top with prosecco and garnish with strawberry slices.

Wild berry spritz

(Greenall’s)

Ingredients:

30ml Greenall’s wild berry gin

20ml Aperol

15ml pink grapefruit juice

Raspberries

Aromatic tonic

Pink grapefruit for garnish

Method:

1. Add Greenall’s Wild Berry to glass along with Aperol and pink grapefruit juice.

2. Add ice and a handful of raspberries.

3. Top with aromatic tonic.

4. Stir gently to combine and add a wedge of pink grapefruit to garnish.

Maple and orange sour

(Greenall’s)

Ingredients:

50ml Greenall’s blood orange & fig gin

20ml fresh orange juice

10ml maple syrup

Tonic water

Star anise for garnish

Method:

1. Add Greenall’s Blood Orange and Fig along with fresh orange juice.

2. Add maple syrup and a tiny pinch of sea salt.

3. Fill glass with ice and top up with tonic water.

4. Stir gently to combine ingredients.

5. Garnish with some star anise.