What's the secret to a perfect gin and tonic? Fresh, high quality ingredients. Alcohol, thank goodness, has no shelf life, but tonic water is the ticking time bomb for those nights (few and far between as they are) when we're making just one or two drinks.

Tonic syrup is the brilliant, delicious, answer, and we've fallen in love with the clean, bracing taste of this small-batch tonic made in Charleston, South Carolina. The Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. describes their syrup as "essentially a quinine concentrate," but it's the hint of lemongrass and orange peel that give this just enough complexity to hold up to the rich botanicals in our favorite gins.

tip of the tongue

In a Collins or highball glass, combine 1 3/4 oz of your favorite gin, 1/2 oz tonic syrup and ice. Top with soda water, stir and sip. Repeat as necessary.