Tonight's tipple: Gin & Tonic, or Vodka & Tonic, or Perhaps Just Tonic

Whichever you choose, a tonic drink is a great way way to beat the summer heat.

The gin and tonic has been around forever, and the proportions are much debated: 1 ounce of gin to 3 ounces of tonic? 1 to 4? 2 to 5?

For my part, I think the 1 to 4 ratio is plenty potent and 1 to 5 also works. Those little bottles of Schweppes you see in the grocery are 10 ounces—that is enough for 2 drinks.

Of late, I have taken a shine to The Botanist Gin, made by the Bruichladdich Distillery (Bruke Laddie) in Islay (Eye-la), Scotland, a glorious place where the sheep outnumber humans.

Not everybody enjoys the piney punch of gin. The Botanist is a softer gin, and it is far less intense than Beefeater or Gordon’s, which often are poured in U.S. and U.K. bars. It is a very subtle spirit with many aromas and flavors.

But if gin REALLY is not your thing, swap in vodka or just go alcohol-free and sip tonic with lime. Whichever you choose, the ice plus tonic plus lime will deliver crisp, cooling refreshment.

Yes, you can have you drink with only a lime and enjoy it, but I like adding herbs. Pictured above is my gin and tonic adorned with lime and sprigs of mint, rosemary, and lavender snipped from pots on my balcony. Adding herbs makes the drink look more attractive, but more importantly it delivers a bouquet of aromas each time you take a sip. Herbs others than these ones can be tried—sage, parsley, basil, and thyme are among them. Have fun—try different combinations of herbs.

If you don’t grow herbs, do it! Small indoor herb kits can be found on Amazon for an affordable price. Cheers!