So, Let Me Tell You About This Cozy Gin and Tonic
If you’d told my January self that one of my best winter pick-me-ups would be a gin and tonic, I’d have laughed (or at least raised a skeptical eyebrow). But honestly, there's just something about this "Winter Wonderland Gin and Tonic" that feels like wearing a fluffy scarf—reassuring, a bit cheeky, and surprisingly cheerful! The first time I whipped this up for a friend—who'd just got drenched in an icy Leeds hailstorm, poor thing—she actually insisted I write the recipe down right after her second glass. Just so you know what kind of night that was.
Also, if the phrase "Winter Wonderland Gin and Tonic" makes you think of that wild Christmas office party where the boss tried to do the worm, you’re not entirely off base (there’s something sneakily festive about this one).
Why You’ll Love This (Or Not—But Probably Will)
I make this when the weather’s so cold even my central heating’s giving up. My family? They go daft for it around Christmas, especially when I let the kids skewer the cranberries for the garnish (tiny hands, big mess—worth it). What I like most: it actually tastes wintery, not just like I dumped a clementine into some gin. Oh! And if you hate super-sweet cocktails (me too, most days), this one's spot on. I once tried swapping the rosemary for basil and... actually, I don’t recommend that. Trust me.
Here’s What You’ll Need (Swaps Welcome!)
- 50ml gin (Hendrick’s is lush, but let’s be honest, whatever’s in the cupboard will do)
- 150ml tonic water (Fever-Tree is my fancy choice; supermarket own-brand works for Tuesday nights)
- Juice from half an orange (Lately I’ve just used clementines—because that’s what was going off in the fruit bowl)
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate seeds (optional; I sometimes skip if I’ve eaten ‘em all)
- 2-3 fresh rosemary sprigs (or… dried rosemary, pinch it if you must, but fresh is miles better)
- A small handful of cranberries (frozen ones work, or honestly, raspberries if you’re in a bind)
- Ice cubes—as many as fit, though one time I tried those fancy whiskey stones, didn’t love ‘em
- Orange or lemon peel, for garnish (I sometimes just use whatever zest peeler I can find—if it looks a bit messy, that’s rustic, right?)
Alright, Let's Mix This (It's Not Rocket Science)
- Get yourself a big glass (I lean toward a wine glass, best for nosing—that’s what fancy folks say, but honestly it’s just big).
- Drop in a handful of ice. Don’t be shy.
- Pour in your gin, then the orange juice. This is where I usually sneak a tiny sip—just to check the vibe.
- Toss in your cranberries & pomegranate seeds. If you’re using frozen ones, it’ll look a bit icy (in a good way).
- Add your rosemary sprig (give it a little slap on the counter first—seriously, it wakes up the scent).
- Top off with tonic water—pour gently, or you’ll lose all the bubbles, which is a bit tragic, isn’t it?
- Finish with orange or lemon peel over the top. Give it a little twist so the oils spritz—again, totally optional, sometimes I forget and nobody complains.
Give it a gentle stir. Or a wobbly one if you’re distracted. There you are—Winter Wonderland in a glass!
Notes from Too Many Test Batches
- I once tried blood orange juice instead of regular orange—looked stunning, tasted even better. Or maybe it was just the novelty.
- Freeze your cranberries the night before if you’re a planner, so they double as extra ice. (I rarely remember this, mind you.)
- If your gin has weird flavors, taste it before adding other bits. Some of those "artisan" ones get a bit wild!
Variations That Sort of Worked (and One That Really Didn’t)
- I once muddled juniper berries into the gin, thinking it’d be clever. It was... kind of a faff, honestly. Not worth the mess.
- Substitute pear for orange if you’re feeling experimental—my pal Gemma swears by it, but I find it just OK.
- I added ginger beer instead of tonic for a spicy twist. It was weird, not bad, but not for gin purists or anyone with a delicate stomach after Christmas dinner.
Got the Right Tools? No Worries if Not
Truth be told, I mostly use a regular tablespoon and a bread knife to peel my citrus. Don’t have a fancy peeler? Use a vegetable peeler or, in a pinch, just take a big chunk with the knife. Want more bubbles? I found this list of favorite tonic waters handy, but I almost always forget to buy them.
Storing (Kind of a Joke Around Here)
Store it? Not a chance in my house! But theoretically—if you premix the gin and juice, it'll keep in the fridge a day or two. Add tonic & garnishes fresh, though, unless you’re after flat festive sadness.
Serving Suggestions (How We Do It)
I like to ladle (well, pour) this into the biggest glasses I’ve got and set the garnishes out for a DIY bar. Something about people making their own version gets them talking. Oh, and a cheeky cheese board on the side never hurts. My mum swears by candied ginger nibbles, but I’m not totally on board with that.
A Few Pro Tips Learned the Hard Way
- Don’t rush the ice step. I tried to shortcut with warm gin once and, ew, it just tastes sad.
- If you add too much rosemary, it starts tasting like potpourri. Just a hint, not a whole bush.
- Tonic first, then gin = less fizz. Always gin first. I learned that from Difford’s Guide.
FAQ, Because Apparently This Cocktail Has Fans
- Can I make a batch for a crowd?
- Absolutely—just scale everything up and mix the gin & juice base in a jug, keep tonic on the side so it’s fizzy when folks serve themselves (people are less grumpy this way).
- Is this sweeter than regular gin and tonic?
- Not overly, thanks to the citrus. But if you like it tarter just whack in a squeeze of lime instead (or don’t add the pomegranate at all—easy fix).
- What if I can’t find fresh rosemary?
- You can use dried. Just go careful! It gets intense fast. Or skip it—honestly, I sometimes do if there's none lurking in the fridge.
- Can I use flavoured gin?
- Yeah, but maybe avoid the really mad ones (looking at you, bubblegum gin)—those can clash with the herbal stuff.
Oh, and if you’re just after some really lovely winter sips, BBC Good Food's winter cocktails list is a goldmine. Not that I’m sending you off so soon!
Anyway, hope you enjoy this as much as we do. Just don’t blame me if the kids try to nick the cranberries. Cheers!
Ingredients
- 100 ml premium gin
- 200 ml tonic water
- 1 small handful ice cubes
- 4-6 fresh cranberries
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 thin slices orange
- 2 thin slices lime
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate seeds (optional)
Instructions
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1Fill two large glasses with ice cubes.
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2Add the gin evenly between the two glasses.
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3Top with tonic water and gently stir to combine.
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4Garnish each glass with fresh cranberries, a sprig of rosemary, and slices of orange and lime.
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5Sprinkle in pomegranate seeds for a festive touch if desired. Serve immediately.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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