Posted by Chris Randle on 10th Mar 2022
6 Best Glasses for Gin and Tonic
What can be more light and refreshing than gin and tonic the most well-liked drink ever? G&T is a great choice for cocktail hour, dinners or anytime you want an easy yet classical beverage. First of all, there is no wrong way to drink gin, however, there is surely the best way and that includes having the right glassware. Choosing the best glass for gin and tonic enhances the experience, making your drink even better, as well as looking fancy.
In its essence, G&T is a simple mix drink containing only two ingredients. But by choosing a quality gin, thoughtful garnishing and the right glassware you can make your gin and tonic an extraordinary experience. The gin glasses can change your drink to a great extent, even with the same ingredients, so it is crucial that you use the correct glasses. From stemmed glasses that won't warm the drink to the shape of the rim that will contain the drink's aromas - there are many possibilities to enjoy your favourite G&T.
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A Short History of Gin and Tonic
The well-known gin and tonic was first created in India in the 18th century, around the 1850s by British soldiers. The legend says that in the Indian subcontinent malaria was a persistent problem and gin and tonic was created to help the soldiers fight the disease. A Scottish doctor by the name of George Cleghorn studied how quinine can be used to prevent the disease, which was thought to cure malaria.
The quinine itself was unpleasant having a very bitter taste making it hard to be digested by the soldiers. So they realised that adding sugar, tonic water (carbonated tonic water came later), lime and gin will make the drink more pleasant-tasting. And just like that, the gin and tonic cocktail was born. Of course, after time, quinine was replaced with better anti-malarial drugs, but the G&T remained a popular cocktail. And since today tonic water is no longer used as an antimalarial remedy, it contains much less quinine and it is mostly sweetened and much less bitter.
Another way to look at the creation of gin and tonic is that the creation of quinine drinks came more organically over a longer period of time, by the recurring steeping medical ingredients in spirits by humanity to market and use as tonics.
Why Does Gin and Tonic Taste So Good?
On a molecular level, the answer lies in basic chemistry. Similar types of molecules attract each other, while different types of molecules stay away from each other (for example, water and oil). The molecules responsible for the flavour of quinine and from the juniper berries (that makes gin) are similar to each other. This makes the combination a perfect match.
The combination of gin's light botanicals and tonic's zesty rather bitter profile, along with a piece of lime and carbonation for zing, makes G&T the perfect example of a balanced cocktail. And like several other classic cocktails, gin and tonic took the best parts of two already existing drinks and mixed them together.
On a final note, if your primary option for tonic in G&T comes from a soda gun, make sure to try it out with a quality tonic that gives your taste buds a run for their money.
How to Make the Perfect Gin and Tonic?
When making the perfect gin and tonic, simplicity might be the easiest yet most effective choice. You can start by chilling your gin in the fridge or freezer first. The colder the gin is the better. The same goes for the glassware as well. Chill your gin glasses in the freezer also. When they are nice and ready start by pouring 50ml of gin over ice. Next, stir the ice around the gin glass gently and then add tonic water. Most of the gin professionals will encourage you to use about 200ml for every 50ml but this comes down to your own personal preference and taste. You can add a slice or twist of lemon or lime to garnish. Voila, you have created the perfect gin and tonic!
What Is the Best Garnish for a G&T?
Once you have chosen your quality gin and tonic water, you will have one last final component to add to make the perfect G&T - the garnish. The traditional way to do a gin tonic cocktail is with a simple wheel of lemon or lime wedge. However, if you want to experiment you might consider adding fruits, herbs or spices to accent the gin of choice.
There a various different garnishes that can be added to your gin and tonic to heighten the cocktail. You can try adding a slice of mandarin and a sprig of fresh mint to accentuate the bright flavours. Garnishes can help add seasonal flavours to your gin tonic. For example, you can add a sprig of rosemary and grapefruit twist in winter. For summer G&T, basil and strawberries will be the best fit.
Best Gin and Tonic Glassware
There is really no right or wrong way when choosing your gin and tonic glass. However different glass shapes will affect your drinking experience differently. But in the end, it all comes down to your personal preference and the occasion.
A rounded, balloon glass will channel the aromatics of the gin, which can make for a more flavourful drink. Also, large balloon glasses are spacious and can retain a variety of garnishes and lots of ice. It will further emphasize the flavours and aromas of the drink.
A highball is tall and narrow. It will preserve more of the carbonation and will keep your gin and tonic more sparkling for a longer period of time.
Copa Glass
The Copa de Balon can roughly be translated to ballon glass. It dates back to the 1700s in the Basque province of northern Spain. The Spanish are known to be the largest drinkers of gin in Europe, and it's no surprise that they developed the "ballon cup". Over time the Copa glass made its way to the US during the Prohibition era. Not long after that, the glass has grown in popularity and now is a glass of choice for many people drinking gin and tonic. Now it's starting to become wildly used in gin bars in London as well.
Pronounced Koh-pa the glass has a bulbous shape, like a balloon and sits on a long stream, just like a wine glass. The unusual shape of the glass is designed to trap and highlight the aromas of the gin and give a better taste of the drink. Because smell is 80% of the taste, it's easy to see why this glass is so popular. The large bowl shape is spacious enough to store lots of ice. When filled with ice the ballon shape stops the ice cubes from melting quickly and diluting the drink. This keeping the gin and tonic to stay cooler for longer. What is really interesting about this glass is that it allows us because of the large bowl to experiment with a variety of garnishes such as vegetables, herbs, fruits. Almost anything goes, as long as they complement the flavour of the gin and tonic.
Looking for glasses for your favourite gin & tonic drink? Check out our Copa Gin Glasses!
Highball Glass
The classic highball glass is perhaps the most popular gin and tonic glassware as it was traditionally used for gin and tonic cocktails. With its simple and sleek design, the highball glass has all the room you need for expanding your cocktail horizons. The highball is elegant, tall and narrow. Also, it is the most versatile glass out there and can cater for your every need. Except for gin and tonic, this glass can be used for various different kinds of mixed drinks. The shape of the glass not only does impact how your glass looks but also what you can put inside of it. When your gin and tonic is served in a highball glass the fizz and the bubbles can expand and open the cocktail's ingredients and the limited surface area will keep your drink cool for longer. It's a perfect option for those who prefer their G&T without too many garnishes. This timeless classic is a must-have in any glassware collection.
Long Drink Glass
This glass is very similar to a highball glass, but it's larger in all aspects. The long drink glass is taller and has a wider opening, thus giving a lot more space and volume. This makes adding garnishes and botanicals to your gin and tonic a lot easier as there is much more space than with a highball glass. Because of the wide opening, you can absorb the scents of the added botanicals.
This glass is a great option for your G&T because it's designed to be used for cocktails that contain a rather high amount of non-alcoholic mixers like tonic water.
Rocks Glass or Lowbowl Glass
The rocks glass is another good option, but a rather untypical choice for gin and tonic. Some people are used to serving their G&T in a rocks glass and never go with anything else. While as we said rather untypical, they work just fine to serve this cocktail. The rocks glass or also known as lowball glass can be very practical for everyday occasions or if you have small children around as it's more stable than for example the Copa glass.
Goblet Glass
The goblet glass pre-dates the Roman Empire, it's an old-style glass and even the name sounds old. No other glass has the history that the goblet glass has. The goblet is most likely one of the oldest drinking vessels. It has a medieval look to it. It certainly is a specific type of glass and you can either love it or hate it. If you are looking to add a touch of style to your glassware collection, goblet glass is the right option to choose. Back in the days it usually had a heavy base and thick basin, but nowadays they come in a wide variety of shapes and styles. In general, the goblet has a short stem and bowl on top of that which can be short, tall or something in between. The goblet glass influences just about every stem-based glass that's come since.
It's a perfect option for gin and tonic because the thicker glass helps keep the cocktail chilled for a longer period of time. The shape of the glass is mainly for people who enjoy a simple G&T without many garnishes as the goblet is not spacious enough.
Get a beautiful pair of bubble gin glasses that will make the ideal gift for weddings, anniversaries, or just to show you care!
Ballon Glass
The ballon glass is basically a snifter glass with a long stem attached to the base. Traditionally is used with spirits where enjoying the scents is desirable. The wide bottom and curved brim help concentrate the aroma when smelling the beverage. The design of the balloon glass is a great option for gin and tonic because it is served with lots of ice and when the ice is pushed together helps keep the cocktail colder for longer. This glass is very similar to the Copa glass mentioned above.
Is anyone else thirsty? Drinking any beverage, especially a cocktail like gin and tonic should be an experience that is special. You want your drink to come to life and in the right glass, it can certainly do so. The ritual of grabbing your favourite G&T glass from the cabinet, the click of dropping the ice cubes... The sound of pouring the gin and tonic water and finally the weight of the full glass in your hand - just marvellous!
Choosing the correct gin and tonic glass is really helpful in improving the drinker's enjoyment. There is a shape and style for every gin and tonic lover out there, from the traditional highball glass, a goblet glass or to the more modern Copa de ballon, there are plenty to choose from. Take your pick and enjoy your refreshing G&T.
Also, glasses make an excellent gift - so why not get one gin glass set for your friends and family?
Choose a gin glass gift set from our collection of gin glasses.
FAQ’s
Traditionally, the highball was a go-to glass for all gin drinks. The highball glass is a timeless classic and a must-have in everyone's collection. The glass is mostly used for G&T and vintage gin cocktails. On the other hand, a well-known and wildly used glass is the “rocks glass”, which for gin neat or on the rocks (as the glass says).
Many different types of glasses (all of them mentioned above) are correct for serving G&T. Nowadays the most commonly used and most popular is the Copa glass. However, the highball tends to be a historical choice for gin and tonic cocktails. The tall and sleek shape of the highball glass can keep your gin cool and tonic water fizzing. The design provides space for lots of ice and of course some garnish.
Frankly, the gin glass you choose isn't simply a matter of style. It's a marvellous way to savour most of your favourite drink, elevating scents, tastes and textures. Each gin glass has a different purpose and is designed to perform a somewhat different function. It makes a great deal of difference to your drink or cocktail and helps you enhance the experience. There are several types of suitable glasses for gin like the Copa glass, the highball glass, the tumbler and others that you can choose from. At this point, the choice is ultimately yours, regarding your personal preferences and drink or cocktail of choice.