How to make the perfect Spanish gin and tonic

Why gin is just the tonic in Spain

You probably associate Sangria with Spain, but actually it’s good old G&T’s that are taking over the bar scene. Spain gets through 3.2 million cases of gin per year, and it’s becoming increasingly popular to pair a ‘gin tonic’ (as they refer to them in Spain) with plates of tapas as well.

When it comes to technique, it’s not just a case of pouring in loads of gin and topping it up with some tonic – the Spanish consider gin and tonic mixology to be more of an art form. The basic ingredients stay the same, but it’s all about using the right equipment and infusing the gin with a range of garnishes to bring out the complex flavours. There aren’t any rules when it comes to garnishes, but if you look at the botanicals used in making a particular gin, you can pick one to match. These recipes from The Gin Queen will help you get started…

How to make the perfect ‘gin tonic’ Spanish-style

What you’ll need…

1) A large balloon glass with a long stem.

2) Gin – Tanqueray is the standard choice in Spain. Or, try Larios if you want to sample a Spanish-made gin.

3) Tonic – Fever Tree tonic is the most popular in Spain.

4) Garnishes – Swap your cucumber stick for the likes of juniper berries, star anise and nutmeg.

The technique…

Step 1 - Fill the glass with ice – G&T’s have to be cold. The more ice you have in the glass, the slower it’ll melt, so your drink will stay cold but won’t be watered down (see, there’s an actual science to this).

Step 2 - Choose a garnish. Take your pick from herbs, spices, berries and fruits, and experiment to see which one you like best. Popular garnishes in Spain include juniper berries, peppercorns, rosemary, star anise, nutmeg and even chocolate.

Step 3 - Pour 50ml of your chosen gin over the garnish to bring out the flavours.

Step 4 - Hold a spoon over the glass and pour in 200ml of tonic (to preserve the fizz).

Step 5 - Gently stir with a spoon. Optional – Run a wedge of lime around the edge of the glass.

Step 6 – Drink.

Where to get a ‘gin tonic’ in Spain…

As the popularity of ‘gin tonics’ go up, so do the number of dedicated bars. Lemon gin bar and Dry Martini are favourites in Fuengirola, and just happen to be a 15-minute walk from  Hotel Florida. If you’re heading to Majorca, make sure you sample the ‘gin tonics’ at Ginbo which was voted the best bar in the Balearics. And there's Elephanta in Barcelona, one of our Thomson Cruises ports, which boasts a range of 40+ gins.

You’ll also find entire ‘gin tonic’ menus in many of the cocktail bars, where you can try as many gin, tonic and garnish combinations as it takes to find your favourite.

Fancy trying a real Spanish gin and tonic in Fuengirola or Majorca? Browse our latest deals here.