Lots of people like a gin and tonic on a hot summer's night. But there are many, many ways this humble summer cooler can be made. Here are some things to consider the next time you have friends over for this classic libation:
The Tonic
Think about the tonic water: you can use Schweppes, Canada Dry, Polar or other regional brands, or boutique brands like Q tonic and Fevertree. They all have different flavors. we like the Fevertree best, as it is much less sweet than the more common brands. So one way to explore gin-and-tonics is to try your favorite gin with several tonics until you find one that goes best with your gin.
The Gin
It's a little pricier to experiment with the gin, but the results can be very rewarding. Some gins mix well with others and make great cocktails; others make great sipping gins but their flavor profiles are not so copacetic with a wide range of cocktails. I find that Beefeater is a great cocktail gin, especially for research purposes.