People around the world love G&T, and for so many reasons. Many people love the taste of it, while others may love its simplicity. Either way, this is a drink that's quite popular. Seriously, G&T has to be one of the perfect pairings ever, but have you ever sat down to think about why this is the case? Well, apart from subjective preferences, there's an actual scientific reason for this!
Today, let's talk about why G&T scientifically work so well and share the subtle mistakes you might be making with your G&T that may be hurting your experience:
A Scientific Explanation of Why G&T Works
You see, it seems that our nose, mouth, and even brain are hard-wired to love this drink, all thanks to its chemical makeup. The juniper's molecules and botanicals, along with the gin's quinine, are quite similar in shape. As such, they are attracted to each other and mixed quite well. Once you take a sip of this well-mixed drink, the molecules in the cocktail form various aggregates. This, along with the molecules, floats up into your nose and mouth's receptors. These hundreds of thousands of molecules in the glass, along with hundreds of proteins, all fire your sensory signals, giving you the ability to taste interesting and attractive flavours.
Of course, you don't need to understand any of the above to enjoy a tasty G&T cocktail. All you need to know is that it is best chilled, as this ensures the carbon dioxide stays in the liquid so that you get an even more refreshing drink!
Small Mistakes You Can Be Making With Your G&T Drink
G&T is one of the most classic cocktails out there. But even this simple drink can be easily ruined by making a few small mistakes. Here are four things you might be doing wrong when making your next G&T.
- Not Using Fresh Lime Juice
One of the key ingredients in a G&T is fresh lime juice. It adds a lovely citrusy flavour that really enhances the gin. So, if you're using bottled lime juice or leaving out the lime altogether, you're not making a true G&T.
- Using Too Much Gin
It's easy to get carried away when pouring the gin into your glass. But resist the temptation to go overboard. Too much gin will make your drink overly boozy and overpower the other flavours. A good rule of thumb is to stick to a 2:5 ratio of gin to tonic. If you want it stronger, you can go down all the way to 1:2 or even 1:1!
- Not Chilling Your Glass
A G&T just isn't the same if it's not served cold. So, be sure to chill your glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before making your drink. This will help ensure that your cocktail is nice and refreshing. If you don't have such a luxury, just add ice!
- Not Pouring Properly
Did you know that the way you pour can also hurt your cocktail? If you pour too aggressively, all that CO2 is going to leave the tonic, meaning you have a less fizzy drink. So, be gentle when pouring or mixing the drink.
Conclusion
As you can see, G&T are really scientifically great, but of course, don't overthink it when you take the next sip. You can indeed just sip and close your eyes, thinking about how these amazing liquids are creating interesting flavours that truly light up your senses, but then again, you can just sit there and enjoy the drink at face value. Regardless, do not commit the mistakes we've shared. While they won't entirely ruin your drink, it does mean you're not enjoying the best out of it! So, be a little wary when making your drink, and you'll soon enjoy even greater G&T!
Jim and Tonic is a gin distillery that offers some of the best gin you'll find in London. If you are interested in visiting our cocktail bars, check out our East London bar and restaurant!
