The Ivy Gin and Fevertree clementine tonic

It’s two for one in the bottle slot today - a terrific new gin and the perfect matching tonic.

The gin is the Ivy restaurant’s new centenary gin, made for them by Chase. It’s a smooth, elegant, aromatic, slightly herbal gin with ivy, spruce needles, and sage as three of the botanicals.

They sent it with a couple of bottles of Fevertree’s new limited edition clementine and cinnamon tonic* which, garnished with a slice of fresh clementine, was the perfect match with just a delicate note of clementine in the background. (Don’t try the same trick with Fentiman’s Mediterranean orange tonic water which tastes like orangina.)

I’m hoping it will work equally well with other gins as the Ivy's is expensive (£50 at John Lewis). I tried it with a bottle of export strength Tanqueray I happened to have to hand and it wasn’t as good. I’m wondering if a simple gin like Gordon’s - or even Aldi’s low cost equivalent would work.

You could also drink it on its own with ice and slices of clementine and maybe a few pomegranate seeds to pretty it up.

Anyway I’m laying in stocks - it would make the perfect Christmas G & T. And the Ivy gin would make a great gift for any gin aficionado.

(Incidentally it went perfectly with some smoked salmon with an orangey gravadlax my friends had brought along)

* The tonic is £1.69 at Waitrose and Ocado.

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Fiona Beckett on December 9 2017 at 13:581512827909

@Triona Good to hear! I've always gone for lemon or lime but am really loving the clementine garnish. (I did try orange but it wasn't quite as good!)

@Rebecca - sorry I missed your comment. No, I haven't tried the Walter Gregor - will look out for it. Thanks for the tip!

Triona O'Neill (Ireland) on December 9 2017 at 12:321512822778

Hi Fiona, My friend SIobhan whom I believe you know has flicked me your article... one of many I must add!... so I said I would leave you a comment to let you know I do read them!... I have always had a slice of orange in my Gin!.... its something my father did as he disliked lemon as being too acidic... so when I started drinking Gin it was just natural for me to have a slice of orange. I drink Cork Dry Gin here in Ireland and with ice and the slice it is just the best Gin ever!. I will tolerate a slice of lime occasionally and do enjoy cucumber in the Hendrick's!

Rebecca Manford on November 13 2017 at 12:231510575793

Hello Fiona,

I read your wonderful musings all the time. I have tasted both Fever Tree Clementine Tonic Water and Fentiman's Mediterranean Orange Tonic Water, I got the Fentiman's Tonic Water in my local Waitrose. The Fentiman's Mediterranean Orange Tonic Water tastes beautiful, very delicate with a hint of sweet orange, it's now one of my new favourites alongside their Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water. Also, have your tried the Walter Gregor Tonic Water yet? It's delicious as well