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Cocktail History
The Rosemary Gin & Tonic is a winter cocktail that was created by the editors of PUNCH and was first published in their book Winter Drinks: 70 Essential Cold-Weather Cocktails. Just as its name implies, this is a seasonal variation of the Gin & Tonic that is made with gin, citrus, and tonic water, but it adds in a vinegar-based grapefruit shrub for more complex, savory flavor.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Grapefruit Tonic Water: This is a carbonated beverage made with grapefruit flavoring, quinine, water, and sugar, which are infused with carbon dioxide gas to develop a fizzy, tart-bitter flavor.
Gin: This is a spirit made by redistilling a neutral spirit with juniper berries and other botanicals to develop a distinctive, aromatic flavor.
Grapefruit Shrub: This is a type of drinking vinegar made with grapefruit juice and peels, pink peppercorns, apple cider vinegar, and white sugar, which are fermented or steeped and infused to develop a tangy, acidic syrup.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe limes that has a zesty, sour flavor and light green color.
Grapefruit Slices: This is a slice of grapefruit that has been cut into a half wheel shape.
Rosemary Sprig: This is an evergreen herb.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Muddler: This is used to muddle ingredients. I used the HQY Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. I used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Pale pink hue with an ombré effect
• Aroma: Rosemary and citrus
• Taste: Surprisingly not-bitter flavor that combines sweet grapefruit, sour vinegar, and herbal gin
• Finish: Slight quinine tang and fizz
Kendall’s Take: “I’ve never been the biggest fan of the classic Gin & Tonic because tonic water is too bitter for my palate. It doesn’t help that I started out trying gin drinks that were much sweeter when it’s common for tonic water to be the gateway to liking gin. The Rosemary Gin & Tonic is my favorite I’ve tried so far though, and it’s all thanks to the grapefruit shrub. Its unique vinegar flavor cuts the bitterness of the tonic just enough to make it much more palatable for me. I’ve already made it again!”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Winter Drinks: 70 Essential Cold-Weather Cocktails by the editors of PUNCH.
Rosemary Gin & Tonic
Description
The Rosemary Gin & Tonic is a winter cocktail that was created by the editors of PUNCH and was first published in their book Winter Drinks: 70 Essential Cold-Weather Cocktails. Just as its name implies, this is a seasonal variation of the Gin & Tonic that is made with gin, citrus, and tonic water, but it adds in a vinegar-based grapefruit shrub for more complex, savory flavor.
Ingredients
Method
Stem one rosemary sprig.
Add rosemary leaves and grapefruit shrub to a shaker.
Using a muddler, gently muddle for 5-7 seconds.
Add gin and lime juice to shaker.
Fill shaker with cubed ice.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Fill a highball glass with fresh cracked ice.
Using a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer, strain into highball glass.
Top with tonic water.
Garnish with grapefruit slices and remaining rosemary sprig.
