If you were to ask me if I do the Dew, I would have to say I don’t. Green soda or hillbilly juice to some, isn’t my cup of tea. But, when I learned the answer to: Why was Mtn Dew made?, I needed to reconsidered my attitude.
The fact is, Mt Dew was invented to be a mixer for hard liquor in 1940s! It featured a hand-drawn character named “Willie the Hillbilly,” hence: Hillbilly Juice.
After learning its history, I had no choice but to head out to the store and buy my very first 2-liter of Mountain Dew and start testing.
Do Mountain Dew and Gin Go Together?
Yes, Gin goes well with Mountain Dew. And aside from moonshine, Gin is one of the best liquors to mix with it. Mtn Dew’s intense citrus flavor and sweetness strikes the right balance with gin’s flavorful botanicals.
Unlike Sprite and gin, using Mountain Dew with gin results in a simple, balanced cocktail that doesn’t even need a garnish.
Does Dew & Gin taste like Gin and Tonic?
It’s not as bubbly or bitter as a gin an tonic, but it works. And if our cocktail tastes harmonious and balanced, does it really matter how we get there?
The best part was how easy it was to mix this up.
Gin and Mountain Dew Recipe
There cannot be a faster, easier mixed drink than gin mixed with Mtn Dew. A good ratio is 1:5 or 1:4 if you like it stronger.
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Add 1.5 oz Gin and 7-8 oz of Mt. Dew.
- Stir gently.
How bad is Mtn Dew? Does Mountain Dew Have Orange Juice In It?
So, there’s some good news and some bad news.
The good news is that Mountain Dew contains natural flavors and even some concentrated orange juice.
The bad news is that it is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup and is artificially colored. In addition, at 54 mg, it has more caffeine than other soft drinks. But, luckily, there are caffeine-free or sugar free versions available.
Mountain Dew and BVO
You may have heard about the controversy surrounding brominated vegetable oil. It is an additive that helps retain citrus flavors in foods. BVO Banned in Europe and Japan, it is an ingredient of concern suspected of causing problems with memory loss, skin and nerve problems.
The manufacturer removed it from the formula in 2014 but has appeared in Mountain Dew Throwback versions over the years in some markets. Be sure to check the label before you buy.
Which Gin Mixes Well with Mtn Dew?
A London Dry Gin is the best gin to mix with Mountain Dew. The soda has such bold, intense flavor that you wouldn’t be able to notice delicate floral gins like Hendrick’s. So, stick with good, uncomplicated brands like Boodles, Beefeater or Tanqueray.
Here is an image of the gins that tasted best with Mountain Dew.
What About Flavored Gins with Different Mountain Dew Varieties?
Layering flavors can often enhance the gin botanicals. However, it also doesn’t take much to make a bad combo…even if they seem like they’d go together.
A good combo would be if you had a lemon flavored gin or even an orange gin with regular Mountain Dew, because there would be layering of similar flavors. However, using strawberry flavored gin with Mtn Dew may not be a friendly combo.
The beauty of experimenting is you never know what might be huge winner. Just remember to keep your testing samples very small, so you don’t end up wasting a lot of gin.
Summing It Up
I’m not a fan of high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors , and I have to monitor my caffeine intake…but this experiment was fun.
While it might not be a repeat purchase, there is no doubt that Mountain Dew and Gin go together. It is a good cocktail for those who love bright, citrus mixed drinks but don’t want to deal with multiple steps, ingredients or even bar tools.
And, with at least 8 more flavors of Mt. Dew, aficionados can take it even further by experimenting until they find their ultimate combination.
Bottom line, the combo works.
