Expert says we have been making the nation's favourite cocktail all wrong

Many people love a fruity cocktail as the summer months come rolling in.

But did you know that many of us could be making a nation's favourite drink all wrong? Drink scientist Natalie Alibrandi from award-winning spirits company Quintessential Brands has revealed the biggest mistakes that people make when it comes to creating the classic G&T.

She claims that the type of glass, ice, garnish and even when to serve can all make a big difference to the overall taste of the drink. The expert also advised that you shouldn't drink gin and tonic through a straw and never over stir it.

READ MORE: 17 signs that could mean you're a functioning alcoholic

Here are Natalie's top tips for how to make the perfect gin and tonic the "right" way.

Type of glass

Natalie claims that the ideal type is a Copa de Balon - bulbous in shape and sitting on a stem similar to a red wine glass, the design allows it to hold plenty of all-important ice while the tall stem keeps warm hands from melting the ice.

The balloon shape allows botanical aromas and vapours to be contained within the glass, for a more aromatic drinking experience for palate and nose.

Ideally you will want a glass that is 500-800ml in capacity with a stem length of 9.5-12.5cm. The rim diameter should be 75mm-95mm.

Type of tonic

The higher the quality of tonic the better. Natalie said: "A tonic water with higher carbonation is best, so check the label. A carbonation level of 4.5 CO₂ is ideal, as lower carbonation will have lower CO₂ retention and lose desired bubbles and mouthfeel over time. By opting for tonic water with a carbonation level of 4.5 it will have prolonged stability, allowing you to enjoy your G&T for longer."

Cans and glass bottles maintain better carbonation for tonic and other mixers rather than plastic bottles, which tend to have more permeability to air. Recyclable, single-serve, mini cans or glass bottles are preferable, and the tonic should be poured slowly - never stir more than twice or else you run the risk of your drink losing its fizz more quickly.

The ice

Ice is, well, just ice, right? Wrong. It should be fresh and recently frozen to deliver the best G&T taste - and the more ice cubes the better, allowing a slower melt with less likelihood of dilution.

The less ice surface area exposed to the warmer G&T liquid, the slower it melts: the most common ice shape is the rectangular cube made in ice trays, but this has a large surface area and melts quickly. The optimal ice shape is crescent, which is much more solid so keeps its shape longer and melts slower. It’s also more slender than rectangular ice cubes allowing for more ice in the glass.

Drink's temperature

The drink’s temperature is also important, and gin should ideally be kept in the freezer, with the glass chilled and ice freshly frozen. By ensuring these three parts are very cold the overall gin and tonic will warm at a lower rate. A cold beverage numbs the taste buds and creates a smoother tasting alcohol rather than having a sharp bite at the aftertaste.

The garnish

It’s time to switch up the lime. Gin contains terpenoid compounds which are responsible for its complex flavour profile - terpenes are the scent molecules found in plants and are what adds to the unique aroma and flavour profiles of different ingredients.

Surprisingly, the findings revealed that the most common terpenes found in London Dry Gin were best complemented by the unusual garnish combination of mango and pine. For a floral or fruity gin such as BLOOM Gin, pair it with a citrus dessert such as chamomile and lemon baked apples; these delicious ingredients will enhance the refreshing flavour notes and the terpenes found in the gin.

The 12 steps for the perfect G&T

1. Chill your gin (-18ºC)
2. Chill a Copa de Balon glass (-4ºC)
3. Chill tonic water (5ºC)
4. Make fresh ice - crescent ice cubes are better
5. Use small units of tonic water with higher carbonation (4.5 CO₂), ideally from a single-serve can or glass bottle
6. Create the ideal garnish using a piece of lemongrass, dried mango and sprig of pine
7. Fill the chilled glass to the rim with fresh ice cubes
8. Pour 50ml chilled London Dry Gin into the glass
9. Pour 150ml chilled tonic water into the glass
10. Add the mango and a sprig of pine
11. Gently stir
12. Enjoy (within 30 minutes or your efforts will go to waste!)

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