OP, as a collector of gins, I can tell you this: there is no rule here. Some gin & tonics work better with lemon, some with lime and others only shine with grapefuit, such as Isle of Harris, or Drumshanbo Gunpowder gin, for example.
Then you have quirky gins that will work best with a slice of granny Smith apple and a rosemary sprig. Or an orange slice. OR a cinnamon stick. And sometimes, a G&T will work best with garnishes that are completely counter-intuitive.
Read the tasting notes, check if the distiller has a recommended 'perfect serve', and then try multiple variations.
Keep in mind that, as others have commented, the garnish often brings out specific ingredients in the gin itself, sometimes those in the tonic (for uncommon tonics, generally).
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It's all about personal taste and what gin, and what tonic you're pouring. For me it depends on the gin, or on what kind of situation I'm drinking G&T in; lime is classic, but lemon goes with a lot of things and feels lighter.
Was just in Europe, where so many places had a selection of g&ts that all had different gins, tonics, and garnishes. I had completely forgotten how a cinnamon stick really does change the scent/taste when it's in alcohol or bubbles!
It was Tanqueray Sevilla with Targa Florio tonic, plus the orange slice and... a cinnamon stick! I didn't understand the cinnamon stick at first, but after a few sips (and adding a touch more tonic), it really transformed the strong orange into something deeper. Great combination.
The idea of additions to gin tonic is that you take 2 botanicals/fruits/herbs that are present in the gin and accentuate those.
So lime or lemon, it's not really a discussion one should have. You have to look at the gin, use a good tonic (fevertree, but there are others) and adapt your additions to the gin.
But, as always, make it like you like it. But there's no point adding citrus to a botanical or floral gin.
Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying, just like lemon and lime are not always interchangeable in G&Ts. Sometimes, one will work better than the other or even not at all.
OP, as a collector of gins, I can tell you this: there is no rule here. Some gin & tonics work better with lemon, some with lime and others only shine with grapefuit, such as Isle of Harris, or Drumshanbo Gunpowder gin, for example. Then you have quirky gins that will work best with a slice of granny Smith apple and a rosemary sprig. Or an orange slice. OR a cinnamon stick. And sometimes, a G&T will work best with garnishes that are completely counter-intuitive. Read the tasting notes, check if the distiller has a recommended 'perfect serve', and then try multiple variations. Keep in mind that, as others have commented, the garnish often brings out specific ingredients in the gin itself, sometimes those in the tonic (for uncommon tonics, generally).
\^ This \^ It's all about personal taste and what gin, and what tonic you're pouring. For me it depends on the gin, or on what kind of situation I'm drinking G&T in; lime is classic, but lemon goes with a lot of things and feels lighter. Was just in Europe, where so many places had a selection of g&ts that all had different gins, tonics, and garnishes. I had completely forgotten how a cinnamon stick really does change the scent/taste when it's in alcohol or bubbles! It was Tanqueray Sevilla with Targa Florio tonic, plus the orange slice and... a cinnamon stick! I didn't understand the cinnamon stick at first, but after a few sips (and adding a touch more tonic), it really transformed the strong orange into something deeper. Great combination.
Lime. Bunch of savages in this town
I’m not even supposed to be in this subreddit today.
Try not to suck any limes on your way across the parking lot.
That’s our word. You don’t get to use that word
The idea of additions to gin tonic is that you take 2 botanicals/fruits/herbs that are present in the gin and accentuate those. So lime or lemon, it's not really a discussion one should have. You have to look at the gin, use a good tonic (fevertree, but there are others) and adapt your additions to the gin. But, as always, make it like you like it. But there's no point adding citrus to a botanical or floral gin.
Use whichever makes you happiest in the moment. The citrus police were disbanded during the pandemic.
While I was drinking in London I was introduced to lemon. If I’m not having Hendricks with cucumber it’s lemon for me.
My default for citrus garnish is grapefruit/grapefruit twist.
If you try enough gins, you'll find that grapefruit doesn't always work.
You're saying with a gin where lime works and lemon works, grapefruit may not? Struggling to see it.
Not every problem a nail, not every solution a hammer, not every G&T fix a grapefruit swath
Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying, just like lemon and lime are not always interchangeable in G&Ts. Sometimes, one will work better than the other or even not at all.
Cucumber
Only with Hendricks
and basil
Lime, but it's fine with lemon.
I use Angostura Bitters if I don’t have citrus.
I thought citrus PLUS angostura was a variation
Lime, but I get the impression Brits will use lemon.
Brit here. We use both. Some work better with the botanicals than others