National Gin and Tonic Day Date in the current year: April 9, 2024

A gin and tonic, also called gin tonic in some parts of the world or G&T in English-speaking countries, is a cocktail that consists of – you guessed it – gin and tonic water. One of the world’s oldest and most famous mixed drinks, gin and tonic has been around since the early 19th century.

Interestingly, the iconic cocktail originated as a medicinal preparation. During the colonial era, malaria was a persistent problem for the British forces stationed in India. Tonic water (basically a water solution of quinine) was used as a prophylactic against the disease, but it was unpleasant to drink due to its bitter taste. British officers started mixing it with gin, which they were given as part of their rations, and other ingredients to make tonic water more palatable, thus creating gin and tonic.

The first commercial tonic waters with a much lower quinine content emerged in the mid-19th century, and soon gin and tonic became known and loved outside of the British Army and British colonial India. Modern tonic waters are much less bitter than their predecessors and are often sweetened, so modern gin and tonic tastes different than the original mixed drink.

A gin and tonic is made by pouring gin and tonic water into a highball glass or an old fashioned glass over a large amount of ice. Since gin and tonic isn’t on the International Bartenders Association’s official cocktail list, it has no “official” recipe. The ratio of gin to tonic may vary between 1:1 and 1:3 depending on the gin’s strength, additional ingredients, personal taste, etc.

Gin and tonic is usually garnished with a wedge or slice of lime (or lemon if lime is unavailable). Alternative garnishes and additional ingredients are becoming increasingly popular. They include pink grapefruit, kumquats or other citrus fruits, orange peel, cucumber slices, mint leaves, herbs and spices (ginger, rosemary, star anise), and various syrups.

It’s unclear who came up with the idea to celebrate National Gin and Tonic Day and why it is celebrated on April 9, but does it really matter? What matters is that you have a great excuse to go out to your favorite bar and enjoy a refreshing cocktail.

If you’re not in the mood for going out, that’s totally okay! You can stay at home, make yourself a gin and tonic, and sip it while watching Netflix or reading a book. Or you can even invite your friends over for a gin and tonic party. Ask them to bring different brands of gin and tonic water, and have fun mixing them in different combinations and proportions.

National Gin and Tonic Day should not be confused with International Gin and Tonic Day. The latter is observed on October 19 to honor the memory of Mary Edith Keyburn, a remarkable woman who passed away at age 95 with a gin and tonic, which had been smuggled into the hospital by her family, at her bedside.