Sometime, it might be meaningful to taste a vodka tonic and a gin and tonic side by side. The quinine flavor of the tonic water is so dominant that the base liquor hardly matters. Mind you, both are lovely, refreshing beverages. My recipe came from The New York Bartender's Guide.
Quinine came into prominent use as a preventative against malaria. It is potently bitter so in the 19th century, British officials in India and other tropical outposts started mixing it with soda water. What we know as tonic was born. Adding alcohol was the next logical step: first gin, later vodka.
Vodka and tonics feature prominently in this Elton John classic:
That is an interesting idea. I haven't had them side by side. It sounds like a good thing to try. :) Maybe this weekend. Thanks for sharing and for the Elton John song to start the day.
ReplyDelete~Jess
Sounds like a fine weekend plan! Drink responsibly, folks.
DeleteI had no idea that is how tonic water came to be. I am not one for tonic water..I love soda water which I have every day in my orange juice. I agree that I would want to taste both side by side to see what I prefer
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would enjoy tonic on its own but who knows? I suppose to conduct my taste test thoroughly, one would have to include it.
DeleteI don't think I've ever had anything with tonic...?
ReplyDeleteSeriously? You've never had a G&T? I suppose it's not for everyone but well worth trying sometime.
DeleteTAS: Well, I've really only been drinking things other than wine for a few years, and I was, like, 35 or something before I even tried wine, and that was just because my wife works at a winery and we had it around everywhere, AND she really wanted me to learn to have a drink with her from time to time. So, yeah, I haven't had a lot of things.
DeleteGot it.
DeleteI love Gin and Tonic, sadly I only drink the Tonic now but I really love it.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip and badger
Maybe I'm missing out not drinking it straight!
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