Buy Canadian

The perfect gin & tonic is a tricky thing to find, because your tastes will differ from other people's. There's going to be a certain amount of trial and error involved.

First, tonic. Classic Canada Dry tonic water is genuinely very good. Much better than Schweppes, IMO. But if you want to elevate your G&T, a high quality tonic water like Fever Tree is the way to go. I'm less versed on made in Canada options here, but Fever Tree are British so you're at least avoiding an American brand.

For gin, well, it's all about the flavour you're looking for. There's no right or wrong choice, just the right choice for you. But the good news is that Canadian gin has popped off HARD over the last decade. I genuinely, truly believe that Canada, as a country, is making some of the best gin in the world right now.

Here are my top picks for Canadian gins:

Ungava - Made in Quebec, this gin is known for its bright yellow colour, which comes from the Labrador tea used in the recipe. This gives the gin a hint of tannin (basically, tea flavour) which I think pairs beautifully with tonic water. While not my favourite gin overall, it is my favourite gin specifically for a G&T.

Dillons - Made in Ontario. Dillons are making, in my opinion, the best gin in the world. Specifically, their Unfiltered #22. It's a work of art. Would I personally use this in a G&T? No, absolutely not; I wouldn't insult the taste with tonic. I think the best way to drink this gin is in a glass, with an ice cube. But I'm including it here because a) you have to try it, and b) you might love it with tonic. It's all about personal taste. I would also strongly recommend their Dry Gin #7, which makes a delightful G&T.

Georgian Bay - Also from Ontario (no points for guessing exactly where). I would consider this a wonderful intro to gin for people who aren't sure about it. Georgian Bay has a really mild, delicate flavour, not too punchy, but decidedly still a gin. It's a great base for a G&T that isn't too forward with the botanicals. Use this if it's more the tonic part of the gin and tonic that you like, and you just want something to give it some backbone. It's extremely affordable, and very welcoming to newcomers.

Empress 1908 - From Victoria, BC. A bit more of a stunt buy in my book. This is, don't get me wrong, a very good gin, with some punchy bitter notes that pair well with tonic. But it's maybe a touch pricey for what it is. The reason for the price is the party trick; this gin is a deep rich blue colour which comes from butterfly pea flowers. When the gin meets an acid (which tonic water is), that colour transforms in a vibrant purplish-pink. It's very impressive to watch. But probably not worth the price most of the time.

Finally, don't overlook the role that garnishes play in a G&T. Most people just chuck a slice of lime in and call it a day, but the right mix-ins can radically enhance, or destroy the flavour of your G&T. There's a lot to get into here and lot of possible experiments, but my personal favourite combination is a slice of lime and a slice of grapefruit. Wonderfully refreshing and zesty. Make sure to muddle the fruit a little (put it in the bottom of the glass then press it with the handle of a wooden spoon or similar; not into a paste, but enough to release some juice). You want it to actually add to the flavour, not just hang out there looking pretty. If you want to experiment, play around with other citrus fruit (lemon, orange, blood orange, etc), as well as cherries and grapes. Fruit isn't the only option, but it's a good start for now.