At once bubbly, bright, and the perfect amount of boozy, there’s no doubt about it — the G&T might just be one of the most crowd-pleasing cocktails out there (not to mention, the ultimate dinner accompaniment). The fact that every aspect of the drink can be tweaked from glassware to garnish also helps make it one of the most versatile cocktails around. Case in point, Chicago bartenders at some of the city’s top restaurants are showcasing just how far G&Ts can go this season. Using The Botanist’s dry gin, which is crafted from more than 22 hand-foraged botanicals from the Isle of Islay in Scotland, they’re taking the tried and true spirit to totally new heights. From a recently opened Hyde Park hotel to a longtime Lincoln Park favorite, here are 10 of Chicago’s best places to go now for quality G&Ts.
Read MoreChicago’s Best Gin and Tonics to Drink Right Now
Gemini
Dates, ladies’ nights, and family gatherings all fill the seats at this Lincoln Park restaurant, which is operated by the same team behind neighborhood favorites Coda di Volpe, Walton Street Kitchen, and Old Pueblo Cantina. Midwest seasonality and international influences alike guide chef Miguel Ortiz’s menu, a collection of clever combinations like Greek lamb meatballs with cucumber-fennel relish, Thai curry mussels with lemongrass and coconut, and pancetta-wrapped chicken with cornbread stuffing and summer squash. Look for modern-day drams from beverage director Pauly Graves — beyond the G&T, try the Bay Mist, made with The Botanist gin, strawberry, basil, lemon, balsamic syrup, and prosecco.
Scofflaw
Gin is the specialty at this Logan Square locale, where Motown tunes, late-night food, and friendly, knowledgeable service greet guests seven days a week. As such, gin and tonics are a go-to for the team — namely the Botanist and Tonic, a classic that is tuned up with Suze, lemon, Fever Tree Indian Tonic, and thyme for an earthy and citrus-centric twist. When hunger strikes, choose between several satisfying options — ham and cheese on garlic Texas toast, double patty burgers with griddled onions, and lamb spare ribs in pastrami spice, to name a few. Whatever you do, be sure to stick around until midnight; it’s then that the team graciously circulates the bar with freshly baked cookies.
Nico Osteria
Well-heeled crowds can enjoy authentic Italian fare around the clock at this Gold Coast restaurant, which is located within the always-abuzz Thompson Hotel. Chef Tim Graham puts his stamp on a wide array of regionally inspired plates, from crudos (Madai snapper with rose vinegar and green strawberries) and antipasti (charred octopus with fennel) to pastas (lobster amatriciana) and piatti (spice-rubbed branzino with pickled rhubarb). Don’t miss the seasonally changing cocktail list from bar manager Douglas Cruz Jr., which is bound to taste that much better during afternoon aperitivo hour, when special deals apply to several drinks and bites. For something truly refreshing, try the Toscana Divino, made with The Botanist gin, Braulio Amaro, lemon, and prosecco.
Happy Village
A 55-year-old dive bar in the Ukrainian Village, Happy Village has all the fixings of a true neighborhood mainstay: inexpensive, solid drinks, an easygoing staff, and a patio meant for spending long days outside. Now with new ownership, Happy Village has expanded its drink menu to include more classic cocktails, including The Botanist G&T. No skipping on quality here; the G&T is made with Good Fortunate tonic syrup and soda.
Entente
Once you score a reservation at this River North restaurant, expect to be wowed — chef Brian Fisher and team put forth Michelin-starred cuisine by way of contemporary, locally inspired dishes. Opt for a la carte plates like Ora king salmon with fennel and tomatoes or Long Island duck with black garlic and strawberries, or leave things to the team with the tasting menu, a presentation of three or five courses that rotate nightly. A kitchen-inspired approach informs the cocktail list, too — including the house G&T, which spotlights a frequently changing tonic water incorporating farm-fresh ingredients. The current one is made with The Botanist gin with white peach tonic and cantaloupe.
Bernie's
An in-the-know crowd frequents this River North restaurant for its wood-fire oven fare, lively rooftop scene, and bright, industrial-glam interiors. Chef Derek Dupree calls upon flavors from Spain, Italy, and France for his menu, as evidenced by options like octopus a la plancha with potato croquettes, filet au poivre with charred cherry tomatoes, and short rib gnocchi with Parmesan and spinach. After a refreshing round of G&Ts, spring for one of beverage manager Eric Jobes’s specialties: the Dreaming in Red, with The Botanist gin, Luxardo amaro, lemon, cranberry, black cardamon, and New England spiced cranberry bitters.
Sable Kitchen & Bar
Downtown denizens congregate at this award-winning bar and restaurant on the regular for seasonally driven fare and Prohibition-era classic cocktails. Kick things off with starters like deviled eggs carbonara or German pretzel bites, then dive into heartier mains (think chicken cassoulet, wild mushroom and sunchoke risotto, or a 12-ounce NY strip). Ask about beverage director Jenee Craver’s architecture-themed menu, which features cocktails inspired by different rooms in Chicago’s Garfield Observatory — including the Aroid, a melding of The Botanist gin, cucumber, Marcona almonds, and bee pollen.
Proxi
Global flavors collide at this West Loop restaurant, where a menu from chef Andrew Zimmerman shines a light on a wide range of international influences, from Japan and Thailand to India and the Middle East. Expect the unexpected with each new order, thanks to innovative ingredient combinations (grilled sweet potatoes meet sesame yogurt and cashew dukkah; black pepper pork is keenly balanced with butter lettuce, peanuts, and mint). For an especially refreshing pairing, opt for The Botanist Gin & Tonic, head bartender Jess Sandberg’s riff on the classic with blueberry, lemon oil, mint, and Fever Tree Indian Tonic.
Sophy Hyde Park
Get a taste of Chicago’s rich history at this recently opened Hyde Park hotel, which draws upon the South Side neighborhood for inspiration throughout the space (see punched dark metal windows paying homage to the area’s industrial past and shelves lined with locally authored books). The story continues at Mesler, where imaginative comfort food is the focus and takes the form of favorites like chicken and waffles, house-made pastas, and a signature burger. Post-dinner, grab the Purple Effervescence — made with The Botanist gin, fresh lemon juice, house blueberry syrup, and tonic — and head to the lobby lounge, where a striking 15-foot, double-sided fireplace (and a long evening of conversation) awaits.
The Promontory
For hyper-seasonal fare in hip environs, head to this Hyde Park hangout where chef Carlos Cruz helms the menu. Grab a seat at the chefs’ counter for a front-row vantage point of the restaurant’s hearth-style cooking, which results in bold plates like roasted Brussels sprouts with Hook’s white cheddar and currants, spaetzl with pickled ramps and mushrooms, and sirloin steak with roasted broccolini and potatoes. When it comes to libations, leave it to beverage director Will Duncan, who has curated a drinks list of fun, reinterpreted classics — including the house G&T, a melding of The Botanist gin and Q Tonic Water, garnished with a grapefruit peel.