Here at Milk Street, longer summer days mean longer sips, and one of our favorite long pours is the classic Gin and Tonic. The problem is, more often than not, it's a watered-down mess of a cocktail. Let’s fix that! Watch as Editorial Director and resident bartender J.M. Hirsch lays down the rules for building a better Gin and Tonic:

1. Never add less than 3 ounces of gin.

2. Use freshly carbonated water (the more bubbles the better).

3. Skip the store-bought tonic waters - ALWAYS control the flavor yourself.

The result? A light, citrus-forward warm-weather cocktail you’ll want to make again and again. Cheers!