Who says you can only serve gin with tonic?
We look at some alternative mixing partners Salt and vinegar, bacon and eggs are all classic combinations. When it comes to juniper spirits, the classic combination has got to be gin and tonic – a delicious and easy-to-mix staple for more than a century. But what if you fancy a change? In this article, we're going to explore alternative mixers that you can try with your favourite craft gin, The Only Way Is Gin.
Ginger Ale
Introducing ginger adds complimentary spice. Simply combine ginger ale with gin and some lemon juice and you have a Gin Buck, or – if you prefer a more fiery ginger kick – there is the Gin Mule, a take on the Moscow Mule that's made with ginger beer and lime.
Orange sodas
There is a great range of orange sodas from Fanta, the French Orangina (both original and blood orange versions) and – a firm favourite of many – San Pellegrino. When combined with gin, it makes a drink that is delightfully summery. We recommend serving it with plenty of ice and a fresh citrus garnish – you'll feel like you're on holiday!
Bitter Lemon
Bitter lemon is a great alternative to tonic and our Gin goes fantastically well with citrus. It is a popular alternative among those who don't particularly enjoy the taste of tonic, and it's handy to have in the cupboard.
Pink Lemonade
Not a fan of the bitter quinine taste that tonic brings? Satisfy that sweet tooth with a gin and pink lemonade! Yes, this pretty, tasty mixer makes the ultimate summer drink. Garnish with some sweet, juicy strawberries, raspberries or - if you like a little tang of tartness to offset the sugar - a little stalk of rhubarb.
Grapefruit
Gin and grapefruit juice is a delicious combination, particularly if you are a fan of tart, almost bitter, citrus flavours. Top up with prosecco and you've made yourself a refreshing gin-based grapefruit cocktail. Opt for ruby red juice - and ideally, freshly squeezed! - rather than white to give your drink an extra layer of flavour.
Cranberry juice
If you like your drinks on the sweeter side, a simple cranberry juice with gin will hit the spot. Don’t want it too sweet, then add a squeeze of lime.
Fizzy elderflower
You can buy fizzy elderflower either pre-made or make your own by combining elderflower cordial with fizzy water. Pour a shot of gin into a tall glass, add the elderflower fizz and you'll have yourself a gorgeous summery drink.
Tomato juice
Yes, really. Swap the spirit in a traditional Bloody Mary to gin and you'll have a Red Snapper. Spicy, refreshing, delicious and an excellent choice for hair of the dog.
Flavoured Seltzers
Gin and Juice, with a spritz? Now we're talking. Grapefruit- and lemon-flavored seltzers are obvious go-to’s but experimenting with others can yield great results. Blackberry seltzer, for example, provides the perfect balance of sweetness and tannic complexity to show off our gin's fabulous flavour range.
Lime
Lime juice, lime cordial and even bitter lime are all equally happy bedfellows of gin. If you have a bottle of our gin and some lime cordial at home, then you've got the makings of a gin Gimlet! Combine three parts gin with one part cordial, stir, sip and enjoy.
Soda Water
Admittedly, we wouldn't advise drinking gin with just soda water, you'll need a nice wedge of fresh pink grapefruit or lemon in there, but it's ultra-refreshing and low-calorie too.
Iced Tea
This is a very simple mixer to make at home, but if you prefer to buy your mixers ready-to-use, it's worth nothing that pre-bottled versions can be extremely sweet and can have lots of extra flavours added to them.
Our suggestion is to keep it simple and make some tea at home and then ice it (i.e. add plenty of ice). This allows you to sweeten it to your liking and provides a vast range of different flavours to experiment with. Try Yorkshire Tea, but for a touch of additional citrus-forward, floral elegance you can try Earl Grey. Citrus makes a good garnish for iced tea and it's also a wonderful drink to make up in a jug or pitcher for sharing.
With so many mixers to choose from, we can’t wait to see what you make with The Only Way Is Gin! Post up your creations by tagging us on Instagram @theonlywayisspirits and Facebook @theonlywayisspirits. We love to see them publish them on our socials.