I love having friends over for some gin and tonic happiness and keeping them fed. I can go all out and cook some tasty dishes, or sometimes I just lay out some snacks. Whichever you prefer, let’s make a list that suits all purposes.
What snacks to serve with gin and tonic? Pairing your gin and tonic based on nuts or berries included in the botanicals is always a good idea. Here are 15 ideas for snacks you can layout with your gin and tonic.
- Mini Sandwiches
- Shrimp
- Chips
- Soft Cheese
- Sliders
- Mussels
- Fruit
- Berries
- Chocolate
- Nuts
- Crackers
- Veggies
- Smoked Salmon
- Charcuterie
- Oysters
These are just some ideas of food I have laid out for my friends. You can mix and match and try some of your cuisines to please the crowd. Let’s dive into these options and elaborate with a little more detail.
15 snack to serve with gin and tonic
Mini Sandwiches
Sandwiches are great appetizers and easy to prepare. The secret to a great sandwich is using quality ingredients. I usually make ham and cheese sandwiches with good quality bread. Meat and cheese go very well with gin; you can vary with other cold meats and a variety of cheeses.
An excellent vegetarian option that I am still to try is serving cucumber sandwiches. I have seen some eye-catching recipes for cucumber sandwiches. If you go with cucumber, you should serve your snacks with a Hendrick’s Gin, known for its cucumber and floral botanicals flavors.
Shrimp
One of my favorites appetizers, I love shrimp! You can serve the shrimp on a large dish with some lemon slices on top and place a small glass bowl in the middle with cocktail sauce. If your guests like seafood, this should be a crowd-pleaser.
Chips
I go with this option when I don’t have time to prepare food, or I’ll serve it along with other appetizers. I usually go with plain potato chips, but there is a wide variety of chip products you can consider. A healthier option is apple, banana, or veggie chips.
Cheese
I could write a whole other post just on cheeses to pair with gin (and I probably will), but for now, I think a good suggestion is to serve a lovely Brie. This soft and creamy cheese will go great with your drink. If you want some diversity, you can buy a variety of soft cheeses to serve your guests.
Sliders
I enjoy small meats with my gin and tonic. And this snack is great for both indoors and outdoors. You can heat the barbeque and start grilling the sliders as your guests arrive. Cooking while drinking my gin and tonic and socializing with friends is time well spent.
Mussels
Mussels and gin are a great match, but this option may not please everyone, not everyone is a fan of mussels. You may want to have another appetizer available or check with your guests before preparing your party.
Fruit
You can’t go wrong with this one. Having fresh fruit available for your friends will score you points. I love grapes with my gin and tonic. You should save some time to prepare before your guests arrive. You can slice some apples, watermelon, orange, kiwi, or other fruit you enjoy. You can also use fruit to add to your cocktails and bring out the botanicals in the gin.
Berries
Buy all different types of berries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, they all pair well with gin and tonic. Berries are already part of many gin botanicals and help bring out the flavors, making your gin experience even better. Another great advantage of this snack is that it’s healthy. If you have friends that are vegetarian or like to keep a low carb diet, they will love this.
Chocolate
I rarely use chocolate as a snack to serve friends, but it does deserve mention. Have you tried accompanying your drink with chocolate? It is brilliant! Try having some assorted chocolates to offer your friends and see how it goes.
Nuts
Always keep a stack of nuts for emergencies. I am continually buying nuts. I am hooked on this treat. Try some salted peanuts, hazelnuts or macadamias; they will all pair very well with a gin and tonic. I highly recommend you try my favorite nut pairing of all, spicy cajun nuts. There is something about the spicy cajun nut the makes me happy. Make sure to ask your friends for allergies, some people are highly allergic to nuts, and in this case, you should plan for a different snack.
Crackers
While this may seem like a boring snack, it goes very well with your drink. You and also mix and match this one. Serve a dish with crackers and slices of cheese; it is fantastic. As you may have guessed by now, I love cheese.
Veggies
Veggies are another healthy snack. It’s never a bad idea to have healthy food available, some of my friends love this. I prefer fruit and nuts, but I pick my snacks to fit my guests’ preferences. If they like carrots and celery, I’ll have some laid out with a dip.
Smoked Salmon
I wasn’t sure I should add this one to the list. I have never served smoked salmon as a snack, I don’t really like it, but I have read that it pairs very well with a gin and tonic. And I can imagine how the smooth texture and smoky flavor could be a good setup for a sip of gin and tonic. So this one is on my list. On one of my next social gatherings, I will give it a go.
Charcuterie
As long as your friends aren’t all vegetarians, this is a great dish. Charcuterie is a dish consisting of cold meats such as ham, sausage, prosciutto, and other cold meats. But that’s not all; you can make this dish epic by adding assorted cheeses, nuts, bread, crackers jam, you name it. Charcuterie is a very eye-catching dish and commonly served on a Charcuterie board.
Oysters
Last but not least, oysters, you either love them or hate them. If you’re an oyster lover, you can try serving this treat to your friends. Make sure to buy oysters from a place you trust and keep them cold and fresh; the last thing you want to do is serve spoiled oysters and make everyone sick. Oysters are an excellent match with gin and tonic.
Wrapping Up
My list of snacks you can serve with gin and tonic should give you a good set of options for hosting a gin party and having a good time with your friends. Make sure to buy good quality food, a good gin, and an excellent tonic. Serving high-quality fresh products will set you up for an unforgettable party.