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With temperatures in parts of the UK set to hit 30C this weekend, many Brits will be eager to head to their local pub garden for a few drinks.
And if your go-to order is a gin and tonic, new research is music to your ears.
Just in time for World Gin Day, scientists have revealed the recipe for the perfect gin and tonic.
Natalie Alibrandi, a nutrition consultant from the UK, says crescent-shaped ice cubes are essential to ensure that the drink melts as slowly as possible and is not diluted.
It’s also best to omit the straw, she says, as sipping from the glass adds more aroma and enhances the experience.
Just in time for World Gin Day, scientists have revealed the recipe for the perfect gin and tonic
Natalie Alibrandi, a nutrition consultant from the UK, says crescent-shaped ice cubes are essential to ensure that the drink melts as slowly as possible and is not diluted.
The ideal container for the drink is the Copa de Balon, or balloon gin glass, which has a bulbous shape and a thin stem, Ms Alibrandi claims in a study commissioned by distillery company Quintessential Brands.
The large volume can hold a lot of ice, while the stem is designed to keep warm hands away from the cup, preventing the ice from melting.
The balloon shape allows botanical aromas and vapors to be retained in the glass for a more aromatic drinking experience for the palate and nose.
And when it comes to the tonic water, you can’t skimp on quality.
Mrs Alibrandi said: ‘A more carbonated tonic water is best, so check the label.
“A carbonation level of 4.5 CO₂ is ideal, because lower carbonation traps less CO2 and loses the desired bubbles and mouthfeel over time.
‘Choosing tonic with a carbon dioxide content of 4.5 gives it long-term stability, so you can enjoy your G&T for longer.’
Large plastic bottles don’t retain the carbonation of the liquid as well as cans or glass bottles, and they tend to let more air through.
The recyclable single-use mini cans or glass bottles produce the optimal drink, because the more times the container is opened, the more bubbles are lost.
The tonic should be poured in slowly and never stirred more than twice or you risk your drink losing its fizz too quickly.
The perfect drink even comes down to the ice, which should come from fresh water and freshly frozen to give the best taste.
It is also important that the ice melts slowly and does not dilute the cocktail, so the more ice cubes the better.
The optimal ice shape in a gin and tonic is crescent, which holds its shape longer than a cube and melts more slowly so as not to dilute the cocktail as you drink it
The shape of the ice is also essential – the larger the surface area, the faster it melts, as more of it is exposed to the warmer liquid.
While the most common ice shape is a cube or cube which is easily made into ice trays, it has a large surface area to volume ratio and melts more quickly.
The optimal ice shape is a crescent, which is much firmer and therefore retains its shape longer and melts more slowly.
It is also slimmer than rectangular ice cubes allowing more ice to fit in the glass.
In addition, the temperature of the liquid is significant and to prevent the ice from melting too quickly, it must be kept as cool as possible.
The gin should ideally be kept in the freezer with the glass chilled and the ice freshly frozen.
A cold drink numbs the taste buds and creates a softer tasting alcohol instead of a sharp bite in the aftertaste.
Gin contains terpenoid compounds responsible for its complex flavor profile.
Terpenes are the odor molecules found in plants and contribute to the unique smell and taste profiles of various ingredients, including gin.
The tonic should be slowly poured into the gin and the cocktail should never be stirred more than twice or you risk your drink losing its fizz too quickly
Ms. Alibrandi found that the most abundant terpenes in London Dry Gin were best complemented by the unusual combination of mango and pine as a garnish, dispensing with the traditional lime slice.
She said: ‘The optimum drinking weather is at a temperature of 21ºC and above – not too hot to melt your drink, but warm enough that the G&T is cooling and refreshing.
“In order for you to enjoy a gin and tonic and take all the variables into account, it should be consumed within 30 minutes.”
“The carbon dioxide level will drop by almost half after 30 minutes, while the ice will probably melt in 15-20 minutes.”
She adds that it’s also important not to drink your cocktail through a straw, as sipping from the glass adds more flavor and enhances the experience.
While many of us like to enjoy a G&T as a first drink to start an evening, Ms. Alibrandi says you shouldn’t skip lunch ahead of time to enjoy it to the max.
She said: ‘A neutral palette is best for enjoying the complex flavors of a G&T and it should always be drunk responsibly for optimum enjoyment.
“You shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach because of the speed at which it passes through your stomach and enters the small intestine and be careful not to drink it too quickly.”
The perfect food to enjoy alongside your drink depends on the flavor profile of your gin of choice.
A floral or fruity gin pairs well with citrus flavors as they enhance the refreshing notes and terpenes in the gin.
Spiced gin usually contains the terpene myrcene, which pairs well with savory dishes as they enhance the spicy and citrus notes.
For a classic London dry gin, a strong, smoky cheese board offers the ultimate combination.
The contrasting flavors of the cheese and the gin work as an excellent combination and the bitterness of the tonic acts as a refreshing palette cleanser for maximum enjoyment.