Celebrate National Gin and Tonic Day: 10 Creative Recipes

Raise your glass to celebrate National Gin and Tonic Day on April 9th ​​and pay homage to one of the most beloved and iconic cocktails of all time. Indeed, this sparkling beverage not only offers a refreshing drinking experience, but there are many things to toast to. It represents an interesting history intertwined with innovations in soldiers, medicine, and mixology.

The gin and tonic cocktail is thought to have its origins among the officers of the Presidency Armies, the East India Company’s military arm in the 19th century. Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease, was a major concern in these tropical regions. Seeking relief from deadly suffering, these soldiers turned to quinine, a bitter compound derived from the bark of the cinchona tree known for its anti-malarial properties. However, the intense bitterness of quinine left much to be desired. Undeterred, they blended it with soda water, sugar, lime, and gin. These were conveniently already part of their food supply.

In the 21st century, gin and tonics have gone from being a cure-all for preventing illness to becoming a popular cocktail. Blending the complex botanical complexity of gin with the bittersweet effervescence of tonic water, this timeless concoction continues to captivate palates around the world. Moreover, its enduring appeal serves as a muse for mixologists, inspiring them to explore new realms of creativity.

To celebrate National Gin and Tonic Day, here are 10 creative twists on classic cocktails that will liven up your festivities in style. Each recipe includes a signature gin suggestion, but feel free to substitute it with whatever lucky juniper spirit you already have on hand.

If one day of celebration isn’t enough, don’t worry. We honor this beloved drink twice a year, on International Gin and Tonic Day on October 19th.

supersonic gin and tonic

• Hendrix Gin Part 2 (Click here for aggregated review)
• 1 bar spoon of simple syrup
• 1 part fresh espresso (cool)
• Part 2 Premium Tonic
• Garnish: cucumber

Add all ingredients to a highball glass filled with ice cubes and stir gently. Garnish with 3 thinly sliced ​​cucumbers and serve.

smoky gin tonic

• 1 oz.Common Ground Spirits Gin Recipe 01: Basil & Elderflower
• 1.5oz Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic
• 1 teaspoon rosemary simple syrup (recipe below)
• 1 teaspoon mezcal

Add all ingredients to a large cocktail shaker, shake over ice, then pour the contents of the shaker into a glass and enjoy.

Rosemary simple syrup:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup of water
• 4 spring rosemary

Bring sugar and water to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Turn off the fire. Add the rosemary, cover and let steep for 1 hour. Strain into a clean jar. It can be stored in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days.

Beats Time & Tonic

• 1.5oz The Botanist Islay Dry Gin (Click here for full review)
• 0.5 oz fresh pressed beet juice
• 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 oz honey syrup (2:1 honey to water)
• 3 oz premium tonic
• Garnish: lemon peel and thyme

Combine gin, beet juice, lemon juice, and honey syrup in a highball glass. Add ice and pour premium tonic. Stir gently to incorporate. Garnish with lemon zest and fresh thyme sprigs.

snappy gin and tonic

• 1.5 oz gin with snap peas (recipe below)
• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
• 0.75 oz Fresh Granny Smith Apple Juice
• 0.75 oz Orjet
• Topped with Badger Tonic (find it here)
• Garnish: 3 snap peas (on a pick)

Combine all ingredients except badger tonic in a shaker tin. Add ice and whip shake. Strain the liquid into a Collins glass filled with ice. Add Badger Tonic and stir gently. Garnish and enjoy.

This recipe was created by award-winning bartender Jillian Vohs.

Gin infused with snap peas:

First, wash, trim, and cut fresh snap peas into small pieces. Place the prepared snap peas in a clean, airtight jar or container and pour in the required amount of gin (we recommend using the inexpensive classic London Dry), making sure the snap peas are completely submerged. Seal the container and shake gently to disperse the peas. Let the mixture sit in a cool, dark place for 24 to 48 hours, adjusting the brewing time depending on your flavor preferences. After the infusion period, strain the gin to remove the snap peas and, if necessary, strain twice to clarify. Transfer the infused gin to a clean bottle for storage.

oregon strawberry gin and tonic

• 1 oz Aviation American Gin (Click here for aggregate review)
• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
• 2-3 fresh strawberries (mixed)
• Top with tonic water
• Garnish: fresh mint sprigs and sliced ​​strawberries

In a highball glass, add the strawberries to the bottom of the glass and stir to release the juice. Add gin and lime juice. Add ice. Pour in tonic water. Stir gently to incorporate. Garnish and enjoy.

jinsonic

• 1.5 oz gin (recommended here)
• 2 ounces soda water
• 2 ounces tonic
• Garnish: a twist of citrus, aromatic herbs, or cucumber slices

Pour gin, soda water, and tonic into a glass filled with ice. Gently stir the cocktail, top with your favorite garnishes and enjoy. Although simple, this gin and tonic riff is extremely popular in Japan.

Raspberry and mint gin and tonic

• 1.5 oz Bombay Sapphire (see aggregate review here)
• 3 oz premium tonic
• 3 fresh raspberries
• 3 medium-sized mint leaves
• Garnish: mint sprig

Place the raspberries and mint leaves in a clean balloon glass. Add the gin and swirl well to infuse. Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour tonic water. Stir gently to combine and garnish with a sprig of gently awakened mint. enjoy!

ginger lemongrass & tonic

• 1.5oz The Botanist Islay Dry Gin (Click here for full review)
• 0.5 oz ginger lemongrass syrup (recipe below)
• 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
• 4 oz premium tonic
• Garnish: Lemongrass stem and lemon peel

Pour gin, beet juice, lemon juice, and honey syrup into a highball glass. Fill a glass with ice and pour premium tonic. Stir briefly, then garnish with lemon zest and fresh thyme sprigs.

Ginger lemongrass syrup:

In a shallow pot, bring 1 cup water, 2 sliced ​​fresh lemongrass stalks (core only), and 1/2 cup chopped ginger to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for 20 minutes. Add 1/2 cup sugar to the pot and stir to dissolve. Strain the lemongrass and ginger out of the liquid and store the syrup in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

spring blossom gin and tonic

• 1 oz Aviation American Gin (Click here for aggregate review)
• 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
• 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
• Top with tonic water
• Garnish: Edible flowers and lemon twist

Add gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice to a highball glass. Add ice. Pour in tonic water. Stir gently to incorporate. Garnish and enjoy.

barrel kiss gin and tonic

• 2 oz barrel-aged gin (find a good one here)
• 0.5 oz orange liqueur
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• Tonic 3-4 oz.
• Garnish: orange twist

Place all ingredients in a rocks glass over ice. Stir gently, top with orange twist and enjoy. If you don’t have barrel-aged gin on your shelf, consider making this recipe using 1 ounce of gin and 1 ounce of bourbon instead.

Celebrate Mixing on National Gin and Tonic Day!

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