As summer approaches, the craving for a cool beverage intensifies. While a chilled glass of wine is undeniably delightful, a well-crafted G&T can be a refreshing and invigorating alternative.
Only bottled in 1 litre bottles, Giant Gin is a collaboration between Hope on Hopkins and famous winemaker Donovan Rall.
- Winemaker turned Ginmaker Donovan Rall
Most gin is made from low-grade cane spirit. However Giant Gin is crafted from high-grade grape spirit sourced in Oude Molen, Grabouw and water from Devil’s Peak Mountain granite. Most of the botanicals are added straight in the still but a few are placed in the basket above. These give higher, more aromatic and perfumed notes than the ones placed directly in the still which give more base notes and the core of the flavours.
These botanics and the processes have delivered a balanced and elegant gin with a nose that is fresh and herbaceous with hints of cucumber and citrus; the palate is soft and delicate with lemon buchu complementing notes of lime and lemon peel; with the finish being smooth with hints of fynbos, fennel and cucumber.
We've been asking ourselves, what is the best tonic water to complement Giant Gin?
To keep it “scientific”, we used the same ratio for each G and T:
1 part Giant Gin to 2 parts tonic water.
A big scoop of ice was added to each drink. In order to preserve the integrity of the tonic and gin flavours, no garnishes were used.
The contenders:
We chose five of the most accessible and recognisable tonic waters in South Africa to find the best match for Giant Gin. All of the tonics come in 1 litre bottles except for the Fever Tree which is only sold in 200ml bottles.
THE RESULTS:
5th Place:
This sugar-free pink tonic has some interesting things going for it. Its low sugar content didn’t lessen the intensity of flavour. It was very fruity, floral and lots of fun. The red berry flavours coming through seemed very confected and had an artificial character to them. Probably better suited as a starter drink rather than one for all-day enjoyment, as the layers of artificial fruity notes could become overwhelming. Buy it for the fun colour and interesting flavour but it masks the gin, and after all the gin is why we’re here.
4th Place:
We all love Woolworths for how convenient they are, and they certainly excel in many areas (Chuckles galore…) Their Indian tonic has let us down however. It was very one-dimensional, and very thin. The lemon notes dominated, overshadowing the more delicate flavours of the gin. There was almost no bitterness, so it was missing that refreshment factor. It is light and does what it needs to but it should be one of the last resort in terms of Indian Tonics.
3rd Place:
Good old Schweppes! The oldest and most recognised brand in our selection, it has held the British Royal Warrant since 1837. Originally from Geneva, it’s now owned by Coca-Cola and available globally. It’s a classic (if a bit simple) tonic water, quite sweet and refreshingly bitter, and the citrus and zesty notes are definitely there. Overall this is a perfectly acceptable tonic, inoffensive and utilitarian.
2nd Place:
Homegrown hero, Fitch & Leedes is based in Stellenbosch. Their classic Indian tonic has the highest sugar content of the selection but it is balanced by a spicy flavour profile. It is richer and has more depth than the Schweppes. This is good option for those who may find the Schweppes too light, simple or citrusy. The Fitch & Leedes is more complex and compliments the gin’s herbaceous notes well.
1st Place:
Fever Tree is the colloquial name for the Cinchona tree which is where we get quinine (the primary flavour in tonic). A deeply complex tonic, herbaceous, floral, layers of flavours, but not so much that it overwhelms the gin. This tonic achieves a wonderful balance; the sweetness, bitterness, and citrus notes complement each other perfectly, making it exceptionally easy and pleasurable to drink.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
VALUE: Although the Fever Tree was the clear winner, the Fitch & Leedes also fared very well. If we weighted the order towards value, the Fitch & Leedes would be the winner with Fever Tree in second place. Schweppes was serviceable, but lacked refreshment and would stay in third.
GARNISH: All of these tonics were substantially more enjoyable with a lemon peel expressed on top. The oils of the peel add a burst of freshness to the G&T, balancing the gin’s botanical notes and enhancing the tonic’s citrus notes. Please garnish with either a lemon or lime peel (never a wedge, the acid in the juice will change the balance).
A Giant Gin and Tonic Tasting
As summer approaches, the craving for a cool beverage intensifies. While a chilled glass of wine is undeniably delightful, a well-crafted G&T can be a refreshing and invigorating alternative.
We already sell an amazing Gin:
PER LITRE BOTTLE:
R700.00Add to basket
Only bottled in 1 litre bottles, Giant Gin is a collaboration between Hope on Hopkins and famous winemaker Donovan Rall.
- Winemaker turned Ginmaker Donovan Rall
Most gin is made from low-grade cane spirit. However Giant Gin is crafted from high-grade grape spirit sourced in Oude Molen, Grabouw and water from Devil’s Peak Mountain granite. Most of the botanicals are added straight in the still but a few are placed in the basket above. These give higher, more aromatic and perfumed notes than the ones placed directly in the still which give more base notes and the core of the flavours.
These botanics and the processes have delivered a balanced and elegant gin with a nose that is fresh and herbaceous with hints of cucumber and citrus; the palate is soft and delicate with lemon buchu complementing notes of lime and lemon peel; with the finish being smooth with hints of fynbos, fennel and cucumber.
We've been asking ourselves, what is the best tonic water to complement Giant Gin?
To keep it “scientific”, we used the same ratio for each G and T:
1 part Giant Gin to 2 parts tonic water.
A big scoop of ice was added to each drink. In order to preserve the integrity of the tonic and gin flavours, no garnishes were used.
The contenders:
We chose five of the most accessible and recognisable tonic waters in South Africa to find the best match for Giant Gin. All of the tonics come in 1 litre bottles except for the Fever Tree which is only sold in 200ml bottles.
THE RESULTS:
5th Place:
This sugar-free pink tonic has some interesting things going for it. Its low sugar content didn’t lessen the intensity of flavour. It was very fruity, floral and lots of fun. The red berry flavours coming through seemed very confected and had an artificial character to them. Probably better suited as a starter drink rather than one for all-day enjoyment, as the layers of artificial fruity notes could become overwhelming. Buy it for the fun colour and interesting flavour but it masks the gin, and after all the gin is why we’re here.
4th Place:
We all love Woolworths for how convenient they are, and they certainly excel in many areas (Chuckles galore…) Their Indian tonic has let us down however. It was very one-dimensional, and very thin. The lemon notes dominated, overshadowing the more delicate flavours of the gin. There was almost no bitterness, so it was missing that refreshment factor. It is light and does what it needs to but it should be one of the last resort in terms of Indian Tonics.
3rd Place:
Good old Schweppes! The oldest and most recognised brand in our selection, it has held the British Royal Warrant since 1837. Originally from Geneva, it’s now owned by Coca-Cola and available globally. It’s a classic (if a bit simple) tonic water, quite sweet and refreshingly bitter, and the citrus and zesty notes are definitely there. Overall this is a perfectly acceptable tonic, inoffensive and utilitarian.
2nd Place:
Homegrown hero, Fitch & Leedes is based in Stellenbosch. Their classic Indian tonic has the highest sugar content of the selection but it is balanced by a spicy flavour profile. It is richer and has more depth than the Schweppes. This is good option for those who may find the Schweppes too light, simple or citrusy. The Fitch & Leedes is more complex and compliments the gin’s herbaceous notes well.
1st Place:
Fever Tree is the colloquial name for the Cinchona tree which is where we get quinine (the primary flavour in tonic). A deeply complex tonic, herbaceous, floral, layers of flavours, but not so much that it overwhelms the gin. This tonic achieves a wonderful balance; the sweetness, bitterness, and citrus notes complement each other perfectly, making it exceptionally easy and pleasurable to drink.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
VALUE: Although the Fever Tree was the clear winner, the Fitch & Leedes also fared very well. If we weighted the order towards value, the Fitch & Leedes would be the winner with Fever Tree in second place. Schweppes was serviceable, but lacked refreshment and would stay in third.
GARNISH: All of these tonics were substantially more enjoyable with a lemon peel expressed on top. The oils of the peel add a burst of freshness to the G&T, balancing the gin’s botanical notes and enhancing the tonic’s citrus notes. Please garnish with either a lemon or lime peel (never a wedge, the acid in the juice will change the balance).
BUY GIANT GIN HERE