In Spain a gin and tonic is typically served as a gin-tonic: a big balloon glass, a lot of ice, a long pour of tonic and a garnish picked to suit the gin. That serve became a bar staple in Spain in the 2000s and 2010s, and some Spanish restaurants abroad serve it the same way.
What makes it Spanish
The gin and tonic is British in origin. What Spain changed was the serve.
- The glass. A copa de balón, a wide wine-style balloon glass. The wide bowl holds a lot of ice and lets you smell the gin.
- The ice. Plenty of it, so the drink stays cold and dilutes slowly.
- The garnish. Chosen to match the gin's botanicals: citrus peel, herbs, spices or berries, rather than a default wedge of lime.
- The tonic. Some bars let you choose the tonic as well as the gin.
Spanish gins to ask for
Spain makes a lot of gin. These four each have a clear identity:
- Xoriguer (Gin de Mahón). Menorca has made gin since the 18th century, when the island was under British rule. Gin de Mahón has its own geographical indication, and Xoriguer is the best-known brand.
- Gin Mare. A Mediterranean gin from Catalonia, made with botanicals including arbequina olive, basil, thyme and rosemary. A rosemary sprig or a strip of citrus peel suits it.
- Nordés. A Galician gin made with albariño grapes, the same grape behind the Rías Baixas white wines.
- Larios. A long-established gin brand from Málaga.
If you like albariño, see our guide to Rías Baixas wine.
How to order one
- Ask for "un gin-tonic" and name the gin you want. If you don't, the bar will usually choose for you.
- Ask which tonic they pour. If there's a choice, a neutral tonic lets the gin show; flavoured tonics change the drink a lot.
- Let the bartender pick the garnish. Matching it to the gin is the point of the Spanish serve.
- In Spain the gin-tonic is a familiar after-dinner drink, though you'll see it at other times of day too. Before a meal, vermouth is a classic choice; our vermouth guide covers that ritual.
Where to try it
These restaurants in our directory mention gin and tonic, or gin, in their own listings:
- El Marqués, Taipei. A tapas bar whose listing includes gin tonics alongside its tapas and Spanish wines.
- Curado Bar, Cardiff. Spanish tapas and bar food, with a gin and tonic list.
- MAD, Houston. A restaurant inspired by Madrid's nightlife; its own description singles out its gin and tonic.
- Txula Steak, New York. Not a gin-tonic, but its Martina Hayworth martini is made with Spanish olive oil-infused gin and topped with a Basque gilda.
