International Gin and Tonic Day—yes, that’s a thing—goes down on April 9th.
In the simplest sense, all it takes to celebrate this momentous occasion is some gin, some tonic, a few wedges of lemon or lime, and some ice. If there was ever a day to get creative with your gin and tonics, however, it’s April 9.
Here are a few exciting variations on the classic gin and tonic that we recommend you try on International Gin and Tonic Day this year.
Cranberry Thyme Gin and Tonic (via A Cozy Kitchen)
This inventive twist on the classic G&T adds cranberry and thyme—two ingredients that probably don’t strike you as bedfellows—for an incredibly complex but wonderfully refreshing taste. Here’s how you whip one up.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup fresh cranberries.
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar.
- 1/2 cup water.
- Splash of orange juice.
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
- Fresh thyme leaves.
- 1 oz. gin
- 4 oz. tonic.
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan, mix together the cranberries, sugar, water, orange juice and vanilla extract.
- Cook for 10 – 15 minutes, smashing cranberries with the back of Add the fresh thyme and smash with the back of your spoon.
- Pour the mixture through a strainer, discarding the solids, and saving remaining syrup.
- Add 1 oz. of syrup to a glass. Top with ice cubs.
- Add 2 oz. of gin, top with tonic.
- Garnish with thyme.
Blood Orange Gin and Tonic (via White On Rice Couple)
While your typical G&T doesn’t look a whole lot different from a glass of water, this variation on the cocktail is a vibrant red, thanks to the inclusion of blood orange juice. Here’s how you make this amazing G&T.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz. gin
- 2 oz. blood orange juice
- A few dashes of orange bitters
- 4 oz. tonic.
Instructions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add gin, blood orange juice, and orange bitters.
- Top with tonic water and gently stir.
- Garnish with a blood orange slice.
Melon Gin and Tonic (via A Cozy Kitchen)
What could be more in keeping with the lush, colorful season of spring than a gin and tonic with melon in it? That’s exactly what you get with this super sweet spin on the Gin and Tonic. Here’s how to make one for yourself.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups chopped honeydew melon.
- 1/4 cup organic cane sugar.
- 1/4 cup water.
- 2 oz. gin.
- 1 oz. tonic.
- ice cubs.
- Melon balls for garnish.
Instructions:
- In a blender, combine honeydew melon, organic cane sugar and water.
- Blend until very smooth.
- Strain honeydew puree and discard of pulp (two strains might be necessary).
- Add a few ice cubes to a glass.
- Add 3 oz. of honeydew puree.
- Add 2 oz. gin, and 1 oz. tonic.
- Garnish with melon balls, arranged on a skewer.
