What Causes Gin and Tonic to Go Flat? And How to Avoid Them

What Causes Gin and Tonic to Go Flat? And How to Avoid Them

In this blog post, we’ll cover everything from what makes gin and tonic go flat to how to prevent that from happening, as well as some ways to fix a flat drink. You’ll also learn how to make a delicious gin and tonic that will have your taste buds singing!

What makes gin and tonic go flat?

Gin and tonic are made of gin, tonic water, ice, lime wedges, and club soda. The most common cause for a flat gin and tonic is improper mixing (and storage) techniques.

The carbonation in tonic water is very fragile, and it can go flat after a short period depending on the temperature of the drink. If you make your gin and tonics for parties, keep them refrigerated until serving to prevent this from happening.

How does it go flat?

When you mix the components that make up this delicious concoction, the carbonation in the tonic water fizzes out into your drink. If you fail to mix them properly or store them before consumption, some of those bubbles will go “missing” from your beverage.

Since carbonation is necessary for bubbles to form, it has gone flat.

Where do these bubbles go if they aren’t present in your glass?

Generally, they are absorbed by other ingredients in your drink – but sometimes they escape! This escaping carbon dioxide causes the bubbles to pop rather than dissolve and results in a flat beverage.

How can you prevent gin and tonic from going flat?

Mix the ingredients thoroughly before the bubbles dissipate into your drink. Make sure that there is enough ice to keep the carbonation and keep cool for at least 30 minutes.

This gives your drink time to chill and absorb those happy bubbles of carbonation! Also, try adding club soda to make it fizzier! The extra CO2 will make up for what escaped when mixing your drink.

Club soda is also great if you are making a punch or other large quantity of gin and tonic because it prevents too much gas from escaping all at once when submerged underwater.

How do you fix a flat gin and tonic?

There are several ways to fix a flat gin and tonic! First, try using another lime wedge in your glass. This adds more carbon dioxide through the process of osmosis. If you don’t have any limes on hand, try throwing in some sugar cubes or adding sugar to the drink for ‘naturally’ added bubbles.

You can also try dropping an ice cube into your glass which will put out some CO2 before it melts.

Is there anything I can do if my gin and tonic are too fizzy?

This issue stems from either over mixing or adding club soda. To tone down the bubbles, simply add more mixers (such as lime juice) until you get the right balance of taste between tart and bubbly!

What is the best gin to use for a gin and tonic?

Since this is a mixed drink, you can use any type of gin you would like! Different gins have different tastes so feel free to try them all out to find which pleases your palate most.

1. Bombay Sapphire Gin – This gin is made with ten botanical herbs and contains both lemon and juniper berries, making it perfect for a refreshing twist on tradition!

2. Tanqueray – Tanqueray’s classic recipe uses four different kinds of exotic fruit including blackberries, limes, oranges, and grapefruit to produce an extremely unique drink.

3. Hendricks – Made with rose petals instead of white grapes to add zingy freshness to this traditional liquor, you will want to use Hendricks in your next G & T!

4. Martin Miller’s Westbourne Strength Gin – This is one of the most popular gins out there due to its natural cucumber notes that uplift the taste buds while also cutting through the bitter aftertaste of tonic water.

5. Plymouth – This gin has a robust taste that is flavorful enough to stand on its own but, when paired with tonic and your favorite mixers, it creates a delicious beverage!

What’s the best way to serve Gin and Tonic?

To get all those bubble up into your drink, you should always over ice cubes in a highball glass! Then pour the ingredients over the ice cubes and you’ll be ready to enjoy a refreshing summertime cocktail within minutes!

Do limes go better with certain types of gin?

Certain gins go well with specific kinds of lime. For example, you should use lemon-lime if you’re using dark rum and green lime if you’re using light rum! Whatever your preference, make sure to keep this in mind so that you can create a balanced drink.

Are there any health benefits of drinking gin and tonic?

Gin and tonic contain several healthy ingredients including quinine which is known for its medicinal qualities. The drink also contains vitamin C from lime juice which will help your immune system stay strong during the cold season!

Does gin go bad?

Like any spirit, if kept at room temperature or below for an extended period, gin can go bad as it reacts negatively with oxygen which makes the alcohol go bad. If you have a favorite gin, consider keeping it in the refrigerator to keep those taste buds happy!

To prevent from making a bad gin here are the top 10 tips to make the perfect gin and tonic every time!

10 Tips for Making Perfect Gin and Tonics Every Time

  1. Use only the best extra dry gin for your drink.
  2. Add lime juice to make it tart and sweet
  3. Chill mixers before mixing with ice
  4. Make sure ingredients are thoroughly mixed before adding carbonated mixers (such as club soda or tonic)
  5. To avoid flat drinks, store them in a cool place (like the fridge) until ready to serve!
  6. Try adding sugar cubes for added bubbles!
  7. Store leftovers in an airtight container with plenty of ice to retain fizziness
  8. Try throwing in some fruit that will compliment your drink’s flavor profile (oranges work great!)
  9. Don’t forget to garnish with fresh fruit!
  10. Remember that carbonated mixers like club soda will cause the drink to go flat faster – so try not to overdo it!  

Gin and tonic is a delicious way to cool down during summertime or whenever you get the craving! Remember to use quality gin for your drinks, keep them in the fridge until ready to serve, and remember these helpful tips when making your perfect drink!

Categorized as Gin

By HappyFizzyHour

Happy Fizzy Hour is a blog about cocktails, wine and other tasty drinks. It's written by Tessa Sobrino, a passionate drinker who loves exploring the world of mixology to find new cocktail recipes for you to try at home. Happy Fizzy Hour features creative recipes from bartenders in different cities around the world, as well as plenty of tips on how to make your own happy hour-appropriate concoctions at home.