Charred-Lemon Gin Sparkler Recipe

By
Autumn Giles
Autumn Giles
Autumn Giles wrote Beyond Canning in 2016 and has been creating recipes for preserving, cocktails, and desserts for over a decade, all gluten-free.
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Updated Dec. 21, 2018
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Autumn Giles

The caramel depth and toned-down tartness of seared lemon is a total game-changer in this make-ahead gin cocktail that's great for crowds.

Why this recipe works:

  • Searing the lemon halves before juicing mellows their acidity and transforms their flavor into something richer.
  • Chilling the mixer base lets you mix up a big batch ahead of time and gives the rosemary time to infuse.
  • A complex, botanical-rich gin like Botanivore from St. George Spirits makes this drink with a simple ingredient list anything but predictable.

Recipe Details

Charred-Lemon Gin Sparkler Recipe

Active 5 mins
Total 10 mins
Serves 12 servings

Ingredients

For the charred lemon juice:

  • 12 lemons, halved

For gin rosemary mixer:

  • 8 (5-inch) sprigs of rosemary, cut in half

  • 6 tablespoons sugar

  • 2 cups gin, such as St. George Botanivore

  • 1 cup charred lemon juice

For each cocktail:

  • 1/4 cup gin rosemary mixer

  • 2 tablespoons sparkling wine

  • Ice

  • Rosemary sprig for garnish

Directions

  1. For the charred lemon juice: Preheat a well seasoned cast iron or stainless steel skillet over high heat. Add lemon halves cut side down and cook until well charred, about about 2 minutes. Let cool then juice, straining out seeds.

  2. For gin rosemary mixer: In a pitcher or quart jar, combine the rosemary and sugar, bruising it with the back of a wooden spoon until you can smell the rosemary. Add the gin and lemon juice and stir to dissolve the sugar. Refrigerate, removing the rosemary sprigs after one hour.

  3. For each cocktail: Fill a glass with ice. Pour in gin rosemary mixer through a fine-mesh strainer. Top with sparkling wine. Stir once. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary and serve.

Special equipment

Citrus reamer or juicer, cast iron skillet, fine mesh strainer

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
120 Calories
0g Fat
8g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 120
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 9mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 3mg 15%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 46mg 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.)