The Story Behind The Navy Strength Botanical Gin & Tonic

While antique shopping recently I came across a beautiful Collins glass with a naval ship etched onto it, so of course I had to have it. And it’s this glass that inspired today’s cocktail, a Navy-Strength Gin and Tonic that harkens back to a time when gin was an essential ration for every sailor at sea.

I went with a navy-strength gin to mirror the alcohol volume as close as possible to what you would have experienced back when the cocktail was first created. I then added some delicious tonic water and accentuated the light citrus and pepper flavors found within by adding fresh lemon slices and cracked pepper. A final dose of thyme as a garnish at the end takes this refreshing classic cocktail to the next level.

Ingredients

2 ounces navy-strength gin
4 ounces tonic water
¼ ounce lemon juice
3 slices lemon
1 pinch cracked black pepper
2 sprigs thyme
1 cup ice

Directions

Fill Collins glass with cracked ice.
Combine the liquid ingredients into Collins glass and stir in some cracked pepper and lemon slices.
Garnish with a lemon slices, thyme sprig and cracked black pepper.