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These are the 7 best gin mixers to have in your home bar

Gin works wonders with a number of mixers. Here are the best ones to keep on hand

Mark Stock
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Gin and tonic with lemon and lime

Gin may be the most spring-like spirit out there. With its in-bloom characteristics, it’s a highly aromatic, highly botanical spirit that smells and tastes a lot like the fresher, flower-filled air we’re breathing this time of year. Turns out, the clear spirit goes exceedingly well with certain mixers, too.

So, as you spend a little more time outside in 2023 and began to switch over from wintery nightcaps to spring-fresh gin cocktails, we have a few pointers. A number of fellow liquids not only go great with gin, but they also enhance the stuff. Some, like a good tonic, are pretty expected, but there are lesser-knowns like Earl Grey tea, too.

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Read on for the seven best gin mixers to have in your bar cart in 2023.

Tonic water in a glass

Tonic water

If this wasn’t the first thing your mind went to, we’re going to guess that you’ve been living under a rock. Gin and tonic is the epitome of an easy, flavorful gin drink. The catch here, though, is that you need to find a good tonic — most mass-produced tonics contain over 20 grams of sugar per serving. Opt for tonics, such as Q Drinks or Fevertree instead (we have a whole list of the best tonic waters). You’ll want to make sure you have one of the best gins for a gin and tonic, too.

Vermouth on a bar

Vermouth

While we said that tonic was probably the first thing your mind went to, that probably wasn’t the case if you’re a martini drinker. If you are, well, then your mind was right here all along. Vermouth — aromatized wine — plays well with others (the “others” being the botanicals in the gin), giving you one of the cleanest classic cocktails out there. Unless you make it dirty, that is. It’s always good to have both red and white vermouth ready to go, just in case.

Soda water with a lemon

Soda water

If you want to extend your gin drink without extending your waistline, soda is where it’s at. When plain, using soda allows the gin flavors to shine while also adding a nice amount of bubbles on the palate. The great thing about soda is that it comes in practically endless flavors these days, so you’re offered myriad options for flavor without worrying about extra calories. Here are our picks for the best sparkly waters.

Jar of tasty fresh lemonade with lemons in background.

Lemon juice or lemonade

The choice between these two comes down to whether you want a sweet drink or not. If you’re looking for something simple, citrusy, and bitter, go for the lemon juice. If it’s a hot day and you’re going to be sitting on the porch with an aunt who never knows when to shut up about, well, everything, then go with the lemonade. The lemon smell and the sugar content will cover up the gin and you’ll be able to get through every tangent your aunt has on every topic from aardvarks to the inevitable heat death of the universe.

Cocktails in coupe glasses

Lime juice

If you’ve got lemon on hand, you’re going to want lime, too. Adding a little simple syrup to lime and gin yields a classic cocktail — the gimlet — but even without sugar, this combination is hard to beat. Served over ice, you get a bright bitter, citrusy, botanical wave across the tongue and down the gullet. Gin and lime just go together. It’s as simple as that. Use fresh lime juice if you can, but if you can’t, there are plenty of bottled iterations out there.

Two glasses with pineaples

Pineapple juice

If it’s good enough for Snoop, it’s good enough for you. Seriously, though. The bright, sweet, tropical flavors of pineapple juice go well with gin. Depending on the type of gin (we recommend a London Dry style, but work with what you’ve got), the citrus elements in the spirit really come to the forefront. The match was probably not created in the LBC, but it was certainly made famous there. Add a splash of soda for a nice poolside refresher. On the pineapple juice front, Dole has the market pretty much on lock.

Earl Grey tea

Earl Grey tea

Known as Royal Tea or the Queen’s Tea (or, I’m sure, something else entirely British-sounding), the combination of gin and Earl Grey tea is one heck of a way to start the morning. The botanicals in both play off each other nicely and, if it’s a cold day, how can you beat booze in a hot beverage? You can’t, that’s how (it’s not really hot toddy season anymore, but it’s better to stock up and not be left in the lurch at the cold evenings continue to show up in the forecast). Twinings makes a great Earl Grey tea.

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Mark Stock
Mark Stock
Contributor
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
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