Gin & Tonic

The Gin & Tonic is the world's most-loved gin cocktail — simple, refreshing and endlessly adaptable. Made with Humdinger Gin, a premium tonic and a fresh garnish, this everyday classic becomes something special. Here's how to build the perfect G&T at home, then make it your own.

Choosing your gin

Each Humdinger gin gives the G&T its own character — start here, then match your tonic and garnish below:

• Humdinger Dry Gin — smooth, classic and juniper-led for a balanced, traditional G&T.
• Humdinger Citrus Gin — a lively burst of zest from Gisborne orange and lemon.
• Humdinger Pink Gin — vibrant and fruity with South Canterbury berries.

Flavour Profile

However you build it, a good G&T is all about balance: bright botanicals from the gin, clean bitterness from the tonic, and a garnish that lifts the aroma. Dry Gin keeps it crisp and classic, Citrus Gin brings zesty freshness, and Pink Gin adds juicy berry sweetness.

Recommended Tonics

Choose a high-quality tonic that complements the gin rather than overpowering it. These are our go-to pairings, best first, and most are available in our tonic range:

With Humdinger Dry Gin

1. Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water
2. East Imperial Tonic Water
3. Alchemy & Tonic Grapefruit & Thyme Tonic Water
4. Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water

With Humdinger Citrus Gin

1. Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water
2. Veranda Citrus Maxima Tonic
3. East Imperial Grapefruit Soda

With Humdinger Pink Gin

1. Alchemy & Tonic Hibiscus Pink Lemonade
2. Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water
3. Veranda Citrus Maxima Tonic
4. Schweppes Indian Tonic Water

Recommended Garnishes

With Humdinger Dry Gin

• Orange slice
• Makrut lime leaf

With Humdinger Citrus Gin

• Fresh lime slice
• Celery cut
• Fresh mint or lemon balm

With Humdinger Pink Gin

• Cut raspberries
• Strawberries
• Lime wedge

Variations

• Gin & Soda: Replace tonic water with soda water for a lighter, cleaner serve that highlights the gin botanicals without quinine bitterness.
• Spanish-Style Gin & Tonic: Serve in a balloon glass with plenty of ice and layered garnishes such as citrus wheels, herbs and spices for added aroma.
• Pink Gin & Tonic: Use Humdinger Pink Gin with fresh berries as garnish for a fruit-forward twist.
• Sonic: Split the tonic with soda water to soften the bitterness for a lighter sip — also known as a Gin & Sonic.
• Barrel-Aged G&A: Use Humdinger Barrel Aged Gin with Fever-Tree Dry Ginger Ale for extra spice and vanilla complexity.

The Perfect Gin-to-Tonic Ratio

Start at about 1 part gin to 3 parts tonic — 45ml of Humdinger gin to 150ml of tonic, as in the recipe above. Go 1:2 for a bolder, gin-forward G&T, or 1:4 for a lighter, longer drink on a hot day.

Serving Tip

Serve in a balloon glass or tall highball with plenty of ice, and add the tonic last so it stays lively.

A Little History

The Gin & Tonic originated in the 19th century with the British in India, who found that tonic water's quinine helped ward off malaria. Adding gin turned the medicine into a refreshing, enduring cocktail that remains one of the world's favourites today.

Make it a Humdinger: shop the gin, a premium tonic and dried citrus garnishes — everything but the ice.

Gifting a gin lover? Browse our NZ gin gift sets — award-winning gin, handpacked in Geraldine and delivered nationwide.