Hot Gin and Tonic
A warming twist on the G and T, with gin, tonic syrup and hot water in place of fizz, lifted with lemon, juniper and fragrant rosemary.
Ingredients
- 50 ml gin
- 20 ml tonic syrup
- 120 ml hot water
- 10 ml fresh lemon juice
- 4 juniper berries — lightly crushed
- 1 sprig rosemary — for garnish
Method
- Lightly crush the juniper berries and add them to a heatproof mug.
- Pour in the gin, tonic syrup and fresh lemon juice.
- Top up with hot, not boiling, water and stir gently.
- Add a sprig of rosemary and leave to infuse for a minute or two.
- Stir once more and serve warm.
How to serve
- Glassware
- Heatproof mug
- Serve temperature
- Warm, around 60°C
- Garnish
- Rosemary sprig and lemon
A gin and tonic is the very picture of summer, but warm tonic water falls flat the moment it loses its fizz. The clever fix is tonic syrup topped with hot water, which keeps the bittersweet quinine character without the lifeless bubbles. The result is a fragrant, juniper-led mug that feels every bit a winter drink, especially with rosemary and crushed berries perfuming the steam.
Hot rather than boiling water is essential here, keeping the gin smooth and the citrus fresh.
Tips
Crush the juniper berries only lightly to release their oils without making the drink bitter. Choose a juniper-forward London Dry so the botanicals carry through the heat. A strip of lemon peel expressed over the surface adds an extra layer of aroma.
If you would like a fruitier, spiced version of a warm gin drink, a Hot Apple Gin builds on apple and baking spice rather than tonic’s bitterness, while keeping that same comforting gin backbone. It is an easy next pour to explore, and the full method lives in our Hot Apple Gin recipe.
Variations
A few thin slices of cucumber soften the edges for a cleaner, fresher profile, while a coin of fresh ginger adds warmth. For a more bitter, grown-up cup, increase the tonic syrup slightly or add a dash of grapefruit bitters.
Frequently asked questions
Why use tonic syrup instead of tonic water?
Warm tonic water quickly loses its fizz and tastes flat. Tonic syrup topped with hot water keeps the quinine bitterness without the disappointing flatness.
Where can I find tonic syrup?
Many specialist drinks shops and supermarkets stock it, and it is easy to make at home by simmering water with quinine-rich cinchona, citrus and sugar, then straining.
What does the rosemary add?
Rosemary brings a piney, aromatic note that echoes the juniper in the gin, making the drink feel warm and wintry rather than summery.
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Hot Apple Gin
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