Frozen Gin and Tonic Recipe

A frosty, incredibly refreshing version of a classic G&T.

By
Maggie Hoffman
Maggie Hoffman is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Maggie Hoffman
Maggie Hoffman is a writer and editor focusing on cocktails and food. She was the managing editor for Serious Eats until 2016 and is the digital director for Epicurious.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated May. 16, 2019
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Photograph: Vicky Wasik

Why This Recipe Works

  • The secret to keeping the drinks slushy and cold, without diluting them with too much ice: Chill the gin mixture in your freezer before blending it up with the ice. It won't freeze solid, thanks to ample alcohol and sugar, but it will drop down in temperature significantly.

There's nothing complicated about making this frosty drink, but the idea—from Rob Krueger of Brooklyn's Extra Fancy—is pretty darn brilliant. It was one of the first recipes I bookmarked in Brooklyn Bartender by Carey Jones. (I've adapted the recipe slightly.)

You don't really want to pour fizzy tonic water in your blender. Luckily, there are a number of small-batch tonic syrups available these days, meant to be mixed with soda water, but perfect for this cocktail. It's tart and lightly bitter, icy and incredibly refreshing. Krueger's recipe calls for Hendrick's gin, but you can use any gin you like; this drink can handle a bold, juniper-heavy London Dry, too.

Recipe Details

Frozen Gin and Tonic Recipe

Active 5 mins
Total 65 mins
Serves 2 servings

A frosty, incredibly refreshing version of a classic G&T.

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces (90ml) gin (such as Hendrick's)

  • 1 ounce (30ml) tonic syrup, such as Small Hand Foods

  • 1 ounce (30ml) simple syrup (see note)

  • 2 dashes orange bitters

  • 1 1/2 ounces (45ml) fresh juice from 2 limes

  • 12 standard ice cubes (about 270g)

  • Lime wedges and cucumber slices, for garnish

Directions

  1. Combine gin, tonic syrup, simple syrup, bitters, and lime juice in a resealable container. Seal and store in freezer at least 1 and up to 10 hours, then pour into blender.

  2. Add ice to blender and blend until smooth.

  3. Split into two glasses, garnish, and serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in your freezer up to 1 hour before serving.

Special equipment

Blender

Notes

To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cool before using. Simple syrup will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
245 Calories
0g Fat
45g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 245
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 34mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 45g 16%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 29g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 16mg 81%
Calcium 21mg 2%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 62mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)