10 Best Tonic Pairings To Try

Gin and Tonic - the ultimate classic cocktail, but there are so many stand-out tonic pairings to try. We want to spend some time introducing you to ten other ways to pair Double Dutch Tonic water that will make your glass sparkle!

1. Vodka

The V&T might be a barely known counterpart to the famous G&T but it has a lot going for it. Enjoy the true flavour of your tonic water, with not only one, not two but three for you to explore:

Try a V&T with Double Dutch

1. Double Dutch Tonic Water
2. Double Dutch Skinny Tonic Water
3. Elderflower Tonic Water.

And, pairing any of them with a lemony or berried vodkas will give you a whole new taste sensation.

2. Calvados

The French are doing it right! Combining the delicious taste of this apple-based brandy with tonic lifts the glorious flavours of apples, pears and oak.

Creating a calvados

It couldn’t be easier to mix. Add one third Calvados to two thirds tonic in an ice filled highball. That's all, now you’ll have the perfect drink for a drowsy summer afternoon.

3. Vermouth Cassis

A drink that’s famous both ways "Vermouth Cassis or a Cassis Vermouth anyone? This is a fabulous cocktail that benefits from tonic water (rather than club soda). It comes together to make a refreshing drink with a drier, more aromatic profile.

Creating a vermouth cassis

Pour 60ml of dry vermouth and 25ml crème de cassis into a tall glass with ice. Top with around 90ml tonic. From here there are two ways to serve - stir or don’t stir. The latter makes a layered drink like a Tequila Sunrise 💁‍♀️.

4. Whiskey

You can make this with whiskey - or even bourbon. Just like the Vodka and Tonic, this is a way of opening up the flavour of whiskey. It’s a great way to start exploring the versatility of this spirit, if it’s one that you’re learning to love.

Ways to enjoy whiskey and tonic

The smoky flavour of whiskey, lifted by the effervescence of tonic, makes a surprising, but superlative taste sensation. A good ratio to start with is a 1 part whiskey and a 2 part tonic.

5. Herbal syrups

A simple herbaceous syrup becomes a perfect alcohol-free drink when tonic is its vehicle. Good herbal syrup choices are lavender, elderflower and rosemary.

Creating a herbal syrup

Just dissolve 300g caster sugar in 150ml water over a low heat. Then pour into a couple of jars, adding several sprigs of your chosen herb and steep overnight at room temperature. Remove the herbs, bottle and store in the fridge for not more than two weeks. Pour around 60ml of syrup into an ice-filled glass and stir before topping up with your tonic of choice.

6. Cynar

If you don’t know Cynar - you should start preparing for a love affair. Cynar is an Italian bitters; dark, herbaceous and made - amazingly - from artichokes!

Why is Cynar and tonic so good?

It creates a fantastic bittersweet aperitif when mixed one third Cynar to two thirds tonic.

7. Royal Tea

A quietly classic British cocktail, this is a spin on the traditional recipe and is a fantastic variation. If you’re a fan of bubble tea, this one’s going to thrill you! Delicious for a single serve, this is also a fabulous cocktail to make as a batch drink for summer parties. just scale up our recipe.

Ingredients for a Royal Tea

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this drink:

• One Earl Grey tea bag
• 1/4 cup boiling water
• 50ml gin
• Squeeze lime juice
• Mint leaves

Method for making a Royal Tea

Pour the boiling water on the teabag and leave it to cool and steep - you can also refrigerate it overnight. Pour into a squat glass, half filled with ice and then top with tonic water before garnishing with mint leaves.

8. White Port

Forget everything you think you know about port. We’re talking crisp, dazzling white port, with notes of peach or apricot, paired with tonic. In Portugal this is a favourite apéritif known as Portonic obvs.

Creating a White Port

One part port, two parts tonic and lots of ice - stir well and taste the summer!

9. Espresso

This is a love or hate! Apparently created in the early 2000s in Sweden by a barista, it spread from Scandinavia to America and Europe. It is best made with a chilled espresso or a cold brew coffee.

Creating a Tonic Espresso

Mix your cold coffee 50/50 with tonic water for an afternoon pick-me-up.

10. Cognac

If you liked the whiskey tonic and or the Calvados tonic, then we really have a treat for you! The most luxurious of our Cognac and tonic pairings. It’s strong but sweet, and has notes of cedar wood and apples.

Creating a Cognac and Tonic

With a gentle blend of 40 ml Cognac to 100 ml tonic over ice, you’ll savour the drink that’s full of subtlety and glamour.

So which of these is going to be your 2024 go to? Let us know.