June is one of our favorite months in New York City, the temperatures rise and the streets are buzzing with an energy that can only be found in New York. June & Tonic has been declared the vibe for the month and we are down to support this idea now that we are able to head back to bars. So we have linked up with our friends at Fords Gin to talk about the Gin & Tonic and their favorite spots to enjoy this classic cocktail and all its glorious variations.
June & Tonic gives us a whole month dedicated to the Gin & Tonic cocktail which has been a massively popular cocktail call around the world and is picking up steam here in the U.S. Originally concocted as a treatment for malaria in the 1800s, this was given to the Britsh Navy traveling to India as a more palatable vehicle for quinine. Tonic water in those times had high levels of quinine, which is extremely bitter, so sugar was added and gin. It became such a staple of the British Navy, Winston Churchill once declared, “The gin and tonic has saved more Englishmen’s lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire.”

Image: Eric Medsker
As the Gin & Tonic, aka G&T, has been experiencing a moment here in the U.S., we can see it served as a highball, bowl glass Spanish style, with fancy artisanal tonics, with mixtures of fresh fruits & herbs … it is just a perfect warm weather sipper. And we want to try them all! After some serious consideration, we created a list of some of the best of the best in New York City with the help of the finest at Fords Gin, Tim Cooper & Martim Smith-Mattsson.
Celebrate June & Tonic with these Fords G&Ts
Whitehorse Tavern
Gastro Pub
Hudson Tonic with Fords Gin Officers’ Reserve, La Quintenye Blanc Vermouth, Tomrs Tonic, Sparkling Water
567 Hudson St., New York; www.whitehorsetavern1880.com
Katana Kitten
Japanese Izakaya Fare
Shiso Gin & Tonic with Fords Gin, Shiso, Lime, Tonic
531 Hudson St., New York 10014; www.katanakitten.com
Fandi Mata
Mediterranean
Fandi G&T with Fords Gin, London Essence Rosemary & Grapefruit Tonic, Cucumber, Grapefruit peel
74 Bayard St, Brooklyn, NY 11222; www.fandimata.com

Image: Eric Medsker
Dirt Candy
Vegetarian Restaurant
The C&T with Fords Gin, celery, lime, ancho Reyes and tonic
86 Allen St, New York, NY 10002; www.dirtcandynyc.com
Pig Beach
Outdoor bar & bbq eatery
Southern Belle Switch with Fords Gin, watermelon juice, Yuzu, thyme and tonic
480 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11231; www.pigbeachnyc.com
Dante West Village
Cocktail Cafe
Mediterranean Tonic with Fords Gin, manzanilla, olive bitters, pinch of salt, london essence tonic and bubbles
551 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014; www.dante-nyc.com
Bar Meridian
Neighborhood Cocktail bar
The Sheridan- Fords Gin, house made honeyed jasmine tonic, with lemon and orange peel
406 Prospect Park Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238; www.barmeridian.com
Broken Shaker
Tropical Cocktail Bar
Shaker G&T with Fords Gin, Tonic, Watermelon/Basil Shrub
23 Lexington Ave. New York, NY 10010; www.brokenshaker.com

Image: Eric Medsker
Scampi
Southern Italian Restaurant
G-Tonico with Fords Gin, Tonic, Charred Lemon, Rosemary, Coriander
30 W. 18th st, New York, 10011; www.scampinyc.com
Momofuku Ssam Bar Pier 17
Asian Eatery by David Chang
Ma Peche – jasmine infused Fords Gin, peche liqueur , umeshu plum, and Indian tonic
89 South Street, Pier 17 New York 10038; www.ssambar.momofuku.com
Evelina
Italian Restaurant
Gin and Tonic “di Grinta” – Fords Gin, Amaro Grinta, rosemary, lime and tonic
211 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn NY 11205; www.evelinabk.com
Public Records
Arts Organization/ vegan restaurant and bar
Gin+Tonic – Fords gin, house-made tonic, pink peppercorn, grapefruit
233 Butler St., Brooklyn, NY 11217; www.publicrecords.nyc
For more information on Fords Gin and to keep up on June & Tonic action, follow them on Instagram @fordsgin and check out their website fordsgin.com.
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