The Most Famous Gin and Tonic Brands from the UK

The United Kingdom is the spiritual home of gin and tonic. While the Dutch may have invented jenever, it was in Britain that gin truly evolved into a cultural icon. From the 18th-century “Gin Craze” to the refined London Dry Gin style and today’s craft renaissance, British distillers have set the global standard. And with the pairing of gin and tonic—first used in colonial India as a malaria remedy—the UK has gifted the world one of its most enduring cocktails.

A Brief History of Gin and Tonic in the UK

Gin reached Britain in the late 17th century, during the reign of William of Orange, and soon became widely available. By the early 18th century, it was cheap and accessible, leading to mass consumption—so much so that Parliament had to pass several “Gin Acts” to curb the excess.

By the 19th century, improvements in distilling technology led to the cleaner, more refined London Dry Gin. At the same time, British officers in India mixed gin with quinine-rich tonic water to fight malaria, inventing the gin and tonic. This colonial concoction eventually became a fashionable drink at home, and by the 20th century, it was firmly established as Britain’s favorite long drink.

Famous British Gin Brands

1. Beefeater – The London Classic

Founded: 1863, London

Beefeater is one of the most recognizable London Dry Gins in the world.

Profile: Bold juniper, citrus, and a hint of spice.
Reputation: The only major gin brand still distilled in the heart of London.
Cultural Role: A staple in traditional gin & tonics, martinis, and negronis.

2. Tanqueray – The Global Standard

Founded: 1830, London (now distilled in Scotland)

Tanqueray is among the most celebrated gin brands, famous for its crisp and juniper-forward character.

Signature Variant: Tanqueray London Dry—clean, classic, and perfect for a tonic.
Other Variants: Tanqueray No. Ten (citrus-forward, ultra-premium), Tanqueray Rangpur (with lime and ginger).
Reputation: Known for quality and consistency; a favorite of bartenders worldwide.

3. Bombay Sapphire – The Modern Icon

Founded: 1987 (brand), originally distilled in Warrington, now Hampshire

Bombay Sapphire revolutionized gin branding with its striking blue bottle and emphasis on botanicals.

Botanicals: 10 ingredients, including almond, coriander, cubeb berries, and grains of paradise.
Flavor Profile: Light, floral, and balanced—designed to appeal to both new and seasoned gin drinkers.
Impact: Helped kickstart the global gin renaissance in the 1990s.

4. Gordon’s Gin – The Everyday Favorite

Founded: 1769, London

One of the oldest and most widely consumed gins in the world.

Style: Classic London Dry with a strong juniper backbone.
Variants: Gordon’s Premium Pink (with berries), Gordon’s Sicilian Lemon, Gordon’s Mediterranean Orange.
Cultural Role: For many Brits, Gordon’s is the default choice for a gin & tonic at home or in pubs.

5. Plymouth Gin – The Maritime Heritage

Founded: 1793, Plymouth

Produced at the historic Black Friars Distillery, Plymouth Gin has a protected geographical indication.

Profile: Earthier and slightly sweeter than London Dry, with cardamom and angelica root.
Cultural Role: Beloved by the Royal Navy, historically a staple in naval cocktails.
Unique Status: The only gin that can legally be called “Plymouth Gin.”

6. Sipsmith – The Craft Pioneer

Founded: 2009, London

Sipsmith sparked the UK’s craft gin boom, becoming the first copper-pot distillery in London in nearly 200 years.

Profile: Traditional yet artisanal London Dry.
Innovation: Experimented with flavored gins and seasonal specials.
Reputation: Helped ignite the modern wave of small-batch distilling across the UK.

7. Hendrick’s Gin – The Quirky Game-Changer

Founded: 1999, Girvan, Scotland

Hendrick’s broke tradition by introducing cucumber and rose as key botanicals.

Flavor Profile: Floral, fresh, and unconventional.
Branding: Victorian-inspired, eccentric marketing.
Impact: Attracted new audiences to gin and broadened perceptions of what gin could be.

Famous British Tonic Water Brands

1. Fever-Tree – The Premium Pioneer

Founded: 2005, London

Fever-Tree transformed the gin & tonic market by emphasizing natural ingredients and high-quality quinine.

Flavors: Indian Tonic, Mediterranean, Elderflower, Aromatic, Clementine.
Reputation: The go-to premium tonic in bars worldwide.

2. Schweppes – The Historic Standard

Founded: 1783, Geneva → later London

Schweppes is the original tonic water brand, bringing carbonated quinine water to the masses.

Variants: Classic Indian, Slimline, and a Premium Mixer range.
Cultural Role: For decades, Schweppes defined the taste of a G&T in the UK.

3. Britvic – The Everyday British Mixer

A popular tonic brand in UK pubs and supermarkets, Britvic is known for affordability and consistency.

4. Double Dutch – The New Challenger

Founded: 2015, London

Double Dutch offers creative tonic flavors like Cucumber & Watermelon and Pomegranate & Basil.

Reputation: Popular with craft gins and cocktail bars.
Identity: Represents the new wave of British tonics designed to enhance specific botanicals.

UK Gin & Tonic Culture Today

Serving Style: Traditionally in highball glasses with a wedge of lime, though balloon glasses (popularized by Spain) are now also common.
Pub Culture: Gin & tonics are a staple in British pubs, but in upscale cocktail bars, the G&T is treated with more creativity.
Craft Boom: Hundreds of new distilleries have opened in the UK since 2010, each offering unique botanicals—rhubarb, seaweed, samphire, or even tea.
Global Influence: British gins remain benchmarks, and brands like Tanqueray, Beefeater, and Bombay Sapphire are found in nearly every bar worldwide.

Conclusion

The United Kingdom has given the world not only gin as we know it but also the iconic gin and tonic. From historic giants like Gordon’s, Beefeater, Tanqueray, and Plymouth, to modern innovators like Sipsmith and Hendrick’s, British gin remains diverse and influential. Paired with tonic legends like Schweppes and Fever-Tree, the UK continues to shape global gin culture.

What sets British gin & tonic apart is its combination of tradition, innovation, and accessibility. Whether enjoyed in a centuries-old pub, a cutting-edge cocktail bar, or a summer garden party, the British gin and tonic is more than a drink—it’s a national institution and an international benchmark.

Gin Tonic Gin

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

H A Brief History of Gin and Tonic in the UK