Keeping a gin and tonic fizzy.

[Manks]

Not sure why, but lately we've been having trouble with G&Ts not being fizzy. We're using the same Gordon's gin, the same Schweppes Slimline tonic (new bottle each time) but the drinks have been flat.

I have wondered whether there's been something different about the ice. But I cannot think what.

Any advice from a gin connoisseur please?

[calibrax]

I'd use the individual cans of tonic instead of the bottles. Stays much fizzier. Also... properly chilled tonic, put in last.

Edited by calibrax on Sunday 12th September 21:15

[Manks]

calibrax said:

I'd use the individual cans of tonic instead of the bottles. Stays much fizzier. Also... properly chilled tonic, put in last.

Edited by calibrax on Sunday 12th September 21:15

We do keep the tonic chilled, but it's not little cans. We'll try them.

[mattley]

Have you changed glasses or how you wash them up? possibly some detergent residue on the glasses.

[tog]

Manks said:

calibrax said:

I'd use the individual cans of tonic instead of the bottles. Stays much fizzier. Also... properly chilled tonic, put in last.

Edited by calibrax on Sunday 12th September 21:15

We do keep the tonic chilled, but it's not little cans. We'll try them.

The little cans are great, even if they do cost twice as much as a whole bottle of supermarket tonic. Best way to guarantee a fizzy g&t.

[sherman]

Its most likely your glasses are one of 3 thing or a combination of all of them

1. Glass too hot
2. Soapy residue on inside of glasses
3. Glass is still wet

[OllieC]

what is the gin to tonic ratio here !

[deano12345]

your drinking too slow

[Deva Link]

Manks said:

I have wondered whether there's been something different about the ice.

You are making the ice with properly filtered water, aren't you?

If you have an ice maker, then maybe the ice is old? Our American fridge/freezer makes tons os the stuff. I empty it now again but the ice at the bottom (from where it is dispensed) must be months old sometimes. It does absorb odours as it ages.

[SJobson]

tog said:

The little cans are great, even if they do cost twice as much as a whole bottle of supermarket tonic. Best way to guarantee a fizzy g&t.

Agreed - and you only have to throw away half a bottle of flat tonic a couple of times to make them seem good value. And you can wedge loads of the little cans in otherwise empty corners of your fridge easily.

[Manks]

sherman said:

Its most likely your glasses are one of 3 thing or a combination of all of them

1. Glass too hot
2. Soapy residue on inside of glasses
3. Glass is still wet

Some good suggestions chaps. Little cans are definitely on the agenda.

The glasses are always at (coolish) room temperature and dry. They will have been dishwashered so they shouldn't have soap residue on them.

Filtered water for the ice? This is a wind-up surely

[Deva Link]

Manks said:

They will have been dishwashered so they shouldn't have soap residue on them.

Do you use rinse-aid?

I never dishwash our crystal glasses, but if I fill a plain glass with water after it's been dishwashed then it fills up with bubbles. Empty it and refill and it's fine.

[sherman]

Manks said:

sherman said:

Its most likely your glasses are one of 3 thing or a combination of all of them

1. Glass too hot
2. Soapy residue on inside of glasses
3. Glass is still wet

Some good suggestions chaps. Little cans are definitely on the agenda.

The glasses are always at (coolish) room temperature and dry. They will have been dishwashered so they shouldn't have soap residue on them.

Filtered water for the ice? This is a wind-up surely

Its not uncommon for the dishwashers not to rinse off all the detergent and and then bake it on to the glass.

Try rinsing and polishing your glasses with a tea towel.

Glasses over time do get a bit duller over time and benefit from a good clean. Most pubs use a chemical called renovate on their glasses every few months and it strips almost a film off the glasses and makes them nice and clean and shiny again.

Your local Ironmongers should have sort of glassware renovator that can be used or you could ask nicely at your local pub.

[condor]

I don't generally use ice, keeping the gin and little cans of tonic in the fridge is cold enough for me. I don't use less than a 40% gin which cuts out the 37.5%Gordons. I do find that if using the larger bottles they do go flat quite quickly.

[Simpo Two]

Slimline! I'd rather have it flat than with aspartame!

[joolsbelton]

It's the tonic
Use Fever Tree. Never fails.

[dxg]

joolsbelton said:

It's the tonic
Use Fever Tree. Never fails.

i smell a rat...

[toohangry]

Manks said:

Gordon's gin, the same Schweppes Slimline tonic
Any advice from a gin connoisseur please?

Drink better gin with better tonic. You're currently drinking the equivalent of Fosters.

No idea on the bubbles btw, just trying to help on the taste.

[Jezzerh]

deano12345 said:

your drinking too slow

This.

Stop being snobby about gin you people. Some people enjoy a Gordon's.

I prefer a double Plymouth and a small bottle of full fat Fever Tree. Never has time to go flat!!

[yellowtang]

Gordon's is fine. But, you really should follow my example and expand your Gin horizons!



Fever tree is a vastly support tonic to Schweppes - no nasty chemical taste to it. Fentimans is also good.

Regarding the lack of fizz - contaminated glassware I'd say.