On a recent trip abroad my wife and I dined at the same table with the sister of one of the tour leaders. At some point in the evening she asked us about our hobbies. When I told her I enjoyed mixing and drinking cocktails, her eyes lit up. She asked if I could create a cocktail for her, and told me what she liked. “Gin,” she said. “Gin, and something a little sweet, but it must be ‘tonic-y’.” She went on to say she also enjoyed tequila, and hot peppers.
“This is going to be interesting,” I said to myself. “Rather than create two separate cocktails, let’s put all our eggs in one basket and see what happens.”
Now, there’s nothing wrong with a gin and tonic. But sometimes you want something that feels just as refreshing without feeling quite so expected. This gin tequila tonic cocktail — the Tandy Tonic (named for our new friend) — splits the base between London dry gin and blanco tequila, adding just enough intrigue without overcomplicating the drink.
The gin brings those crisp, botanical notes you expect, especially if you’re working with something like Tanqueray London Dry Gin, while the tequila adds a subtle earthiness that keeps things grounded. Lime and agave pull it slightly toward margarita territory, while tonic keeps everything light, bitter, and dangerously easy to drink.*
A quick hit of jalapeño gives it just enough heat to stay interesting without turning it into a full-on spicy cocktail. The result is bright, balanced, and just a little unexpected — exactly what a good highball should be.
* I made two for myself in quick succession. My wife, who dislikes both gin and tequila, took a sip, and had me make one for her. “I don’t think I’ll be able to finish this, though,” she said, and not too long after placed an empty glass in front of me and asked for a second. If that’s not an endorsement, I don’t know what is. No word yet on whether our friend liked it or not...
The Tandy Tonic
1
servings5
minutes5
minutesThe Tandy Tonic blends gin, tequila, lime, and jalapeño with tonic for a bright, crisp, slightly spicy highball.
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Ingredients
1 oz 1 London dry gin
1 oz 1 blanco tequila
½ oz ½ fresh lime juice
¼ oz ¼ agave syrup
2–3 slices 2–3 jalapeño
tonic water to top
Directions
- Lightly muddle jalapeño in a shaker.
- Add gin, tequila, lime juice, and agave.
- Shake briefly with ice.
- Double-strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top with tonic and gently stir.
- Garnish with lime wheel + jalapeño slice
Equipment
Cobbler ShakerCobbler Shaker
Extra-Long MuddlerBuy From A Bar Above
Stainless Bell JiggerBuy From A Bar Above
Stainless Fine Mesh StrainerBuy From A Bar Above
Notes
- More spice: Add an extra jalapeño slice or let it sit in the shaker 10–15 seconds longer
Less spice: Skip muddling and just shake with one slice
Brighter: Swap to grapefruit tonic or add a grapefruit peel expression
Drier: Reduce agave slightly
Rounder: Add 2 drops saline
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