When summer rolls around and it’s hot outside, sometimes nothing is more appealing than the classic Gin & Tonic. There is, however, trouble in paradise. Finding the exact proportions of the ingredients in a perfect Gin & Tonic is no small feat. Here are some key tricks that will guarantee perfection every time.

Tips

• Use a gin with a relatively low percentage of alcohol; percentages in gin can go over 50%, and that makes the drink way too "hot" for my palate. The English-made gin Plymouth used to be available in the U.S is remarkably low with 41.2% alcohol, making it perfect for a perfect Gin & Tonic.

• The choice of tonic is also important. You can’t go wrong with Schweppe's Tonic Water.

• Avoid a diluted Gin & Tonic by using Tonic Water ice cubes! Simply pour some Schweppes into your ice cube tray, let it freeze--and you are a heartbeat away from the brightest G&T you've ever tasted.

  -David Rosengarten