Page 49 - Tropic Magazine Issue 37

TROPIC • DRINKS

Tonic tips

GIN
Head of the Wolf pack Darren
Barber explains why the mixer
is (almost) as important as
the spirit.

The timeless gin and tonic only continues
to grow in popularity – and perhaps
nowhere is that truer than in Far North
Queensland with our amazing array of
local distillers and tropical climate.
But in a world where so much
consideration is given to the G, why do
we so often neglect the T?
A gin and tonic should be one part the LONDON DRY GIN CONTEMPORARY
former to three parts the latter, and a
quality mixer can make all the difference GIN CHARACTERISTICS: Classic, AUSTRALIAN GINS
to your drink. A well-chosen tonic water juniper forward gin with citrus notes. GIN CHARACTERISTICS: Less juniper
will allow the aromatic flavours and BEST TONICS: A dry-style tonic like with a larger emphasis on floral and
floral characteristics of your gin to Long Rays Original Tonic or Fever-Tree citrus botanicals.
shine through. Indian Tonic. BEST TONICS: A less subtle tonic
Tonic water is a tart, sparkling drink that will allow the aromatics to shine
that has always been the most common through. Fever-Tree Mediterranean
mixer for gin. The bitter taste is attributed NAVY STRENGTH GIN Tonic, Long Rays Citrus Tonic or Capi
to its main ingredient, quinine, which GIN CHARACTERISTICS: Packing Melbourne Tonic.
is derived from the bark of the a punch at 57% ABV or above with
cinchona tree. similar tasting notes to a London Dry.
In recent years, the number of different BEST TONICS: A simple classic tonic FLAVOURED GINS
tonic waters available has significantly works best with these higher ABV GIN CHARACTERISTICS: Depends on
grown at a rapid rate. The palette of gins. You’ll want a full-sugar option the flavour of the gin but they tend to
flavoured tonics continues to expand to help take some of the heat away. be on the sweeter side.
too, with wild raspberry, elderflower, Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic, BEST TONICS: Try to pair the tonic
lemon and cucumber some of the latest Capi Dry Tonic or Long Rays with the flavour of the gin or a classic
additions. Herbal and savoury notes like Original Tonic. bitter lemon tonic.
rosemary and salt are also common. Strange Love Lemon Tonic, Fever-
Tree Elderflower Tonic or Fever-Tree
Cucumber Tonic.

Although you might have a premium gin, don’t go
cheap on the tonic. Small batch tonics are pleasantly
bitter and have much less sugar than some of the
large commercial brands.

Following the one to three ratio and
picking quality, complimentary tonic will
elevate your gin to the next level.

MORE: wolflanedistillery.com.au

49 • tropicnow.com.au