10 Gin & Tonic Twists You’ll Want to Gatekeep (but Shouldn’t)

June 26, 2025 by

There’s a reason gin and tonic variations are trending with home bartenders and cocktail nerds alike—they’re wildly customisable and super easy to pull off. With just a few smart swaps, you can build G&T variations that hit totally different flavour notes, from zesty and crisp to smoky and herbaceous.

Mastering the foundation: gin, tonic + garnish

Let’s start with the basics. A proper gin and tonic recipe follows the 2:4 rule, which means 60 ml of gin to 120 ml of tonic water. This ratio gives the gin space to shine without overpowering your pour. But here’s where it gets fun: swap in different styles of gin, experiment with new tonic pairings, or get cheeky with your garnish game, and you’ve suddenly got something way cooler than a basic G&T.

London Dry Gin is classic, but citrus-forward, floral, or even savoury styles hit differently. Choosing the best gin for gin and tonic depends on your vibe: crisp and clean, bold and botanical, or juicy and fun. Try Bulldog Gin for a bold base, or O’ndina for a breezy Mediterranean spin.

Also see: Classic Gin Cocktails (Essential Recipes for Every Home Bartender to Try)

Garnishes & botanicals

People sleep on garnishes. Don’t be one of them. Your choice of garnish can change the mood, the aroma, and even the perceived sweetness of your drink. That’s the power of gin garnishes. Now’s your moment to flex.

1. Cucumber + mint + London Dry

This one’s a winner for hot days and chill vibes. Crisp cucumber and cooling mint work like magic with a clean London Dry. It’s ultra-fresh, low-key herbal, and seriously crushable. Try it with Bulldog and Indian tonic for ultimate balance and serve with fresh tzatziki and pita chips to double down on that cool, herby energy.

Learn more: What to Mix with Gin (The Best Gin Mixers)

2. Pink peppercorn + orange + hibiscus-infused gin

The pink peppercorn gives a warm, spicy kick that hits your nose before your first sip, while the orange adds citrus zip to balance out floral gin notes. It’s giving garden party, but with an edge. This flavoured gin and tonic combo is a total showstopper with its hibiscus vibes. Mini goat cheese crostini with orange zest and a crack of pink pepper keeps the energy going strong.

3. Grapefruit + rosemary + pink gin

The ultimate pink gin and tonic glow-up. Earthy rosemary meets zingy grapefruit for a sip that’s herbaceous, citrusy, and just dramatic enough to turn heads. Add prosciutto-wrapped melon skewers to your snack plate—they bring salty-sweet realness to match the drink’s flair. Best served on your patio during golden hour.

Gin and aperitivo combinations

Gin and tonic twist incoming! Aperitifs bring complexity without upping the booze. Keep to 60 ml total spirit, and you’re still in easy-sipping territory.

4. Aperol Gin & Tonic

Make it with:

30 ml Gin
30 ml Aperol
120 ml Mediterranean tonic
Orange wheel to garnish

This one’s bittersweet in the best way. Mediterranean tonic has herbal notes (like rosemary and thyme) that vibe beautifully with Aperol and a citrus-forward gin like O’ndina. The result is a low-effort, high-impact spritz-G&T hybrid that works just as well on a rooftop as it does on your couch. Match it with lemon aioli-topped arancini for that dreamy Italian aperitivo feel.

Cin cin! 6 of the Best Gin and Aperol Cocktails to Sip this Summer and Beyond

5. Campari Gin & Tonic

Make it with:

30 ml Campari
30 ml London Dry gin
120 ml Tonic
Rosemary to garnish

This isn’t your average G&T. This Milanese-inspired clinker is bold, bitter, and layered—like the cool cousin of the Negroni. The rosemary garnish isn’t just pretty; it adds a hit of pine that plays off the complexity of Campari. Grab a handful of Parmesan crisps or some olive tapenade on toast to complete this Italian moment.

15 Savoury Cocktails: Bold Flavours to Transform Your Cocktail Game

6. Crodino 0% G&T

Make it with:

60 ml Non-alcoholic botanical gin
120 ml Crodino
Orange wheel to garnish

Crodino brings that bittersweet orange-spice combo that keeps things interesting, and when paired with a botanical zero-proof gin and tonic water, you get a legit adult drink with zero compromise. Marinated artichoke hearts on herby crackers are the perfect low-key snack to vibe alongside.

Bold G&T-inspired swaps

OK, purists, look away. These aren’t technically G&Ts, but they use the same 60 ml spirit + 120 ml tonic format, and they slap. Big flavour, low effort, and perfect for those moments when gin isn’t quite hitting the mark.

7. Tequila Tonic

Make it with:

60 ml Espolòn Blanco
120 ml Citrus tonic
Pink grapefruit to garnish

This is tequila showing off. Clean, earthy, a little peppery, and totally lifted by a grapefruit wheel garnish. Citrus flavoured tonic adds brightness while keeping it balanced. Serve alongside chilli-lime corn ribs or elotes echo that punchy, zesty character.

8. Bourbon Tonic

Make it with:

60 ml Wild Turkey 101
120 ml Indian tonic
Orange peel to garnish

Who knew bourbon and tonic could be a whole mood? The oaky, vanilla warmth of bourbon gets a crisp, bitter cut from tonic, and the orange peel adds a smoky-sweet twist. It’s perfect for sipping at a BBQ or on a breezy evening. Pair it with maple bacon bites or BBQ pork sliders to match the boldness in your glass.

9. Vodka Tonic

Make it with:

60 ml SKYY Vodka
120 ml Elderflower tonic
Lemon twist to garnish

This is your “I want something chill” drink. SKYY’s clean profile lets the elderflower tonic do the talking; it’s soft, floral, and slightly sweet without being sugary. Cucumber tea sandwiches or smoked salmon pinwheels seal the deal, especially when you’re serving a crowd.

Island style! 10 Gin and Pineapple Cocktails for a Tropical Twist You Need to Taste

Citrus & cognac fusions

10. Grand Marnier G&T

Make it with:

30 ml Gin
30 ml Grand Marnier
120 ml Tonic
Dehydrated orange to garnish

Citrus gin and tonic clinkers do not get classier than this. Grand Marnier brings a round, slightly smoky richness that adds weight to the gin and warmth to the citrus. It’s elevated but approachable, especially with candied nuts or dark chocolate-dipped orange peel on the side to tease out the orange notes even more.

Deck the halls: 18 Festive Christmas Gin Cocktails

Create your own G&T bar at home

Hosting a party? Want to impress your friends without going full mixologist? Create a gin cocktail bar that makes it easy for everyone to mix their own masterpiece, no shaker required.

Start with a lineup of three or four types of gin. A London Dry, a citrus-forward option like O’ndina, a floral or infused gin, and a non-alcoholic botanical for zero-proof drinkers.
Add at least three tonic options: classic Indian, Mediterranean tonic (herbaceous and slightly salty), and something flavoured like elderflower or blood orange.
Now for the fun part: garnish bowls. Load up on lemon wheels, lime wedges, cucumber ribbons, pink peppercorns, sprigs of rosemary, edible flowers, grapefruit slices, and dehydrated citrus. Freeze garnishes into ice cubes to keep things cool and cute.
Set out easy pairing snacks. We like olives, mixed nuts, cheese cubes, crackers, or mini tartlets. You can even label suggested combos like “floral gin + elderflower tonic + lemon twist = garden party goals.”
And don’t forget your vessels. Big balloon glasses are iconic, but tall highballs or cute mismatched vintage glasses work too. Offer metal straws, stirrers, and a solid ice bucket with proper tongs.

This setup works for birthdays, book clubs, weekend hangs, or just a random Tuesday. You’re not just serving sips; you’re giving people the opportunity to create their own perfect pour.

There are so many ways to level up your gin game, and honestly, these easy spins on the classic are the perfect place to start. Whether you’re team citrus, herbal, floral, or something a little smoky, there’s a twist for you. Play around, try them out, and sign up for our newsletter to stay in the mix with even more gin and tonic variations worth shaking up.

Post Views: 3