Grab a slice of lime and let your gindulgent evening begin!

By Aiden Jewelle Gonzales

What better way to unwind after a long day than with the timeless gin and tonic? This issue, Masala Recommends five of Bangkok’s best concoctions of this classic highball cocktail, from inginious spins to more traditional mixes.

SPECTRUM LOUNGE & BAR’S THE HOLE IN ONE

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit’s rooftop bar, Spectrum Lounge & Bar, brings you beats and beverages aplenty. With scrumptious nibbles and a relaxed al fresco space with stunning views, a refreshing cocktail will never go amiss, and The Hole in One is the most bracing in their repertoire. Named after their bartender Khun Golf, this citrusy tipple is served with marshmallow golf balls for that unforegettable experience.

Ingredients: Tanqueray Gin, tonic water, Cointreau, lime juice, orange juice, home-made lemongrass and honey syrup
Facebook: @spectrumrooftopbkk Instagram: @spectrumrooftopbkk

JUST A DRINK (MAYBE)’S MY SWEET LORD

Just a Drink (Maybe), a bar for gin connoisseurs, highlights both the gin and tonic in its offerings to create the perfect marriage. Their My Sweet Lord takes the axiom that “less is more” to heart, using premium ingredients with a dash of peach bitters to elevate the classic tastes of the quintessential G&T. Savour the cocktail in the bar’s industrial vibe while nibbling on popular East Asian bites.

Ingredients: Bombay Sapphire, Peach bitters, and Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic www.justadrinkmaybe.com/

SAFFRON SKY GARDEN’S SAFFRON GIN WITH EAST IMPERIAL GRAPEFRUIT TONIC 

Situated on the 52nd floor of Banyan Tree Bangkok, Saffron Sky Garden will take you to new heights with its stunning panoramas, nature-inspired aesthetic, and unique cocktails. Their Saffron Gin and Imperial Grapefruit Tonic are one of an array of top-shelf gins and tonics you’re invited to mix and match, with a punch of fruit for that tropical twist.

Ingredients: Saffron Gin, East Imperial Grapefruit Tonic, orange peel, kaffir lime leaves, cloves and juniper berries www.banyantree.com/en/thailand/bangkok/dining/saffron-sky-garden

ABOVE ELEVEN’S SIGNATURE GIN & TONIC

True to its repute as the first Peruvian-Japanese rooftop bar and restaurant in Southeast Asia, Above Eleven serves a Japanese variation of the classic gin & tonic as their signature drink, with Japanese gin and garnishes for that Eastern punch. Enjoy this flavourful tipple in an architectural space of sculpted trees and artistic flourishes.

Ingredients: Roku Japanese Gin, 1724 tonic water, with shiso leaf, ginger and orange peel garnish www.aboveeleven.com/bangkok/

ABAR ROOFTOP’S GIN MULE

High above the cityscape, ABar Rooftop at the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park boasts one of the most comprehensive gin selections in Bangkok, including craft labels. The Gin Mule is a twist on the Moscow Mule, with gin instead of vodka and an aromatic infusion of local herbs and spices. Served in a copper mug, it’s a throwback to both the sophistication and danger of the American prohibition era.

Ingredients: Beefeater 24 Gin, home-made kaffir lime syrup, fresh lime juice and sparkling water www.bangkokmarriottmarquisqueenspark.com/dining/abar-rooftop/