Here we go again with a G&T thread!

Before they come up, here are few of the regular themes:

Ratio of gin to tonic - it really depends on your person preference (shock horror). In my case I would say no more than two parts tonic to one part gin or it is too watery.

Ice and a slice: it seems to be misunderstood that the purpose of the lemon in drinks is to degassify the mixer. The taste of the lemon, if any remains after being cut and may be soaked for some time, will be almost imperceptible - but then the lemon is not there to be tasted.

Types of gin: there are only three main types - London, Plymouth and Dutch (Jenever). Most people never encounter the last and Plymouth gin is only made by one company now. When people refer to "types" of gin, they normally mean brands rather than styles or production methods. [I am not counting Sloe gin or other flavoured gins as gins types.]

Brands- again preferred brand is a matter of well personal preference! A certain amount of snobbery seems to creep in here, with people swearing by some brands such as Tanqueray, Hendrick's or Bombay Sapphire. Whilst the first does have a long history, today's product is massed produced and one of its owners', Diageo's, 16 strategic brands. Hendrick's is a recent (1999) creation of William Grants aimed at the upper end of the gin market. Bombay Sapphire is similarly a recent creation - this time from 1987. Again pitched at the upper end of the market, it is now owned by Bacardi. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that they are not good products, but they are not the only products. I suspect few realise quite how recent the last two are, as they are designed to look as if they have been around for years.

BA should serve: well again surely this is another issue of personal taste. At one time or another BA have offered Gordon's, Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire - presumably upsetting some, while pleasing others. I have never seen either Plymouth or Dutch gin offered!

OK, my view, as an occasional gin drinker, is that I do not have any strong views and I do not believe there is a perfect G&T. When I mix one myself, I choose the gin, tonic and whether to have lemon to suit my mood and for this purpose keep bottles of Gordon's, Bombay Sapphire and Plymouth gin at home. Then again perhaps as only an occasional gin drinker, I am missing something!

Anyway, let the fun begin