The right garnish enhances the flavors of a gin and tonic

The simplest garnish that waiters usually choose is a lime wedge. If you want to keep the citrus but with something more original, try a grapefruit peel. For herb lovers, a sprig of thyme or a basil leaf. Floral touches work well with a sprig of lavender or edible flowers, and vegetarians can opt for a slice of cucumber.

Lime pairs perfectly with gin because its botanical flavors complement citrus well. It has a more intense note than lemon, and grapefruit peel works for the same reason; it only needs the peel so as not to mask the flavor.

Herbs typically pair well with gin, which is already flavored with botanicals like juniper and orris root, and enhance those flavors. Floral garnishes follow the same logic, and mild-flavored vegetables like cucumber harmonize with the gin's delicate character.

Another way to enrich the cocktail is to muddle fruit, such as blackberries or strawberries, at the bottom of the glass with a mortar and pestle, so that the gin and tonic is infused with its sweet and fruity flavors.

You can also change the ice: freezing fruit in the ice cube tray adds flavor, and for extra sweetness, you can add lavender syrup or rose water, which pair well with floral garnishes. Although most are served in tall glasses to preserve the tonic's carbonation, you can also try it in a highball glass.