Cranberry Gin & Tonic with Rosemary Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)

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By: Rachel GurkPosted: 12/17/2020

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Try a cranberry gin and tonic for a winter twist on a classic co*cktail, bringing together cranberry and lime for a tart dance with bitter tonic water and herbal gin.

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: This co*cktail is tart and refreshing, perfect for any season.

How long it takes: 5 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: just a glass!
Servings:one, but it’s easy to make more

Cranberry Gin & Tonic with Rosemary Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (1)

Table of Contents close

  • 1 Recipe Overview
  • 2 About this Gin and Tonic
  • 3 About Fizz
  • 4 What You’ll Need
  • 5 Make It Your Own
  • 6 Make-Ahead Ideas
  • 7 More Holiday Beverages
  • 8 Get the Recipe: Cranberry Gin and Tonic with Rosemary

A cranberry gin and tonic is a knock out combination. Not literally, because of course one of these drinks won’t knock you out, but the addition of cranberry to a classic G&T is gilding the lily, in a good sense. With Christmas right around the corner, you’ll want to add this festive beverage to your co*cktail menu.

I tend toward co*cktails that aren’t cloyingly sweet which is one of the reasons I love a gin and tonic. The addition of tart cranberry juice doesn’t increase the sweetness a bit but adds a whole new dimension of flavor to this holiday co*cktail which is fairly low in calories, less than 250 calories for a good-sized drink.

And color! Isn’t this a beautiful co*cktail? Brilliant red with dark crimson cranberries, bright green lime wedges, and silvery rosemary leaves — it’s a visual feast. The red and green are perfect for Christmas.

If you love G & Ts, you’re going to want to give this variation a try, and if you’ve never had a gin and tonic, let me introduce you! It may be the beginning of a happy relationship.

As always, drink responsibly!

Cranberry Gin & Tonic with Rosemary Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2)

About this Gin and Tonic

A cranberry gin and tonic is a pretty simple co*cktail so it’s important to use quality ingredients. For more basics about selecting the right kind of gin or the best tonic water, check out my classic gin and tonic recipe.

Thisrecipe makes one drink. Gin and tonics taste best mixed individually, not poured into a pitcher or punch bowl. Use a tall highball glass, or large globe glass. If your glasses are smaller, halve the ingredients.

Cranberry Gin & Tonic with Rosemary Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (3)

Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary, if possible. The herbal aroma of rosemary on the rim of the glass really enhances the drink. With each sip, the scent of the rosemary mingles with the flavor of cranberry, lime, and gin. Crush the leaves slightly with your fingertips for the full effect.

Wondering what to serve with this co*cktail? This really delightful baked Brie with cranberries and bourbon pecans goes exceptionally well with it and it’s an easy appetizer to make. Another good match is butternut squash crostini with ricotta or tortilla chips and crackers with homemade cranberry salsa (with only two ingredients!).

About Fizz

Use a freshly opened bottle of tonic water. Flat tonic water is sort of gross. Pour the tonic water slowly to retain the maximum amount of fizz. Coldness is key to retaining fizz, as well, so chill all the elements of the co*cktail, including the glass if possible, and use plenty of fresh ice.

Cranberry Gin & Tonic with Rosemary Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (4)

What You’ll Need

  • Cranberry Juice: Look for 100% cranberry juice. Many products labeled cranberry juice are really a blend of juices, with lots of added sugar. They are okay but for the best cranberry flavor, one hundred percent juice is what you need.
  • Gin: Use a good quality gin, such as Tanqueray, a London dry gin.
  • Tonic: An Indian tonic is preferable, such as Fever Tree. Tonic is a carbonated mixer with quinine which adds a hint of bitterness.
  • Lime Slices: an optional garnish that is almost always served with a G&T.
  • Fresh Cranberries and a sprig of Fresh Rosemary: optional garnishes that look especially festive for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you’re serving this co*cktail in the summer, a lime wedge and the rosemary will suffice. Fresh cranberries are a little tricky to find in the off seasons.
Cranberry Gin & Tonic with Rosemary Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (5)

Make It Your Own

This is such a simple recipe, it’s difficult to vary it much but here’s a few suggestions.

  • If you like a sweeter drink, use a cranberry co*cktail juice or add simple syrup.
  • If you like a stronger cranberry flavor, increase the amount of cranberry juice added.
  • For stronger drinks, use additional gin.
  • If you prefer a mocktail, with no alcohol, maybe this isn’t the drink for you; try a Ginger-Cinnamon Apple Cider Mocktail.
  • If orange juice is more your thing, try this citrusy orange gin and tonic.
Cranberry Gin & Tonic with Rosemary Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (6)

Make-Ahead Ideas

Cranberry gin and tonics are best made individually and served immediately. Make sure all of the ingredients are cold, including the glasses, if possible, and have plenty of fresh ice on hand.

Cranberry Gin & Tonic with Rosemary Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (7)

More Holiday Beverages

Raise a glass and toast the holiday season with one of these festive drinks. Try:

  • Cranberry Margarita Recipe
  • ClassicNegroni
  • Cherry Martini with Elderflower and Lime
  • Red Wine and Cherry Spritzer
  • Pomegranate Mojito Recipe
  • Sparkling Pomegranate Punch
  • Orange Mojito
  • Apple Cider Mule
  • Apple Cider Mocktail – nonalcoholic drink

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Cranberry Gin & Tonic with Rosemary Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (8)

Recipe

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Gin and Tonic with Rosemary

4.70 from 10 votes

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

1 co*cktail

Print Rate Recipe

Try a cranberry gin and tonic for a winter twist on a classic co*cktail, bringing together cranberry and lime for a tart dance with bitter tonic water and herbal gin.

Ingredients

  • Ice
  • 3 lime slices, divided
  • ½ cup cranberries, divided
  • 1 ½ ounces gin, chilled
  • 1 ½ ounces 100% cranberry juice, chilled
  • 3 ounces Indian tonic water, chilled
  • Rosemary sprig, for garnish

Instructions

  • Fill a tall glass about ¾ of the way with ice; add 2 lime slices and half of the cranberries.

  • Pour in gin and cranberry juice, and slowly top with tonic water.

  • Garnish with an additional lime slice, cranberries, place rosemary sprig on rim of glass, and serve with a straw, if desired.

Notes

  • Use 100% cranberry juice and not cranberry juice co*cktail for best flavor.
  • Cranberry juice may be increased to 2 ounces for more cranberry flavor, if desired.
  • Crush the rosemary lightly with your fingertips and position it on the rim next to the straw so you can smell it while you sip.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1co*cktail, Calories: 147kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 21mg, Potassium: 99mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 60IU, Vitamin C: 17mg, Calcium: 19mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

  1. Janna says

    Stolen from Finland

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      ?? Hmm?

      Reply

  2. Sabrina says

    yes, sickeningly sweet co*cktails are not something I like either, so also appreciate the tartness or non-sweetness of tonic, in a gin and tonic beautiful colors in this co*cktail too, thank you!

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      You’ll love this one!

      Reply

Cranberry Gin & Tonic with Rosemary Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)

FAQs

What is a gin and cranberry called? ›

Now, it's called a Cranberry Gin Fizz for a reason, so that's precisely where the cranberry juice comes into play!

What is the ratio of gin and tonic? ›

The ratio of gin to tonic varies according to taste, strength of the gin, other drink mixers being added, etc., with most recipes calling for a ratio between 1:1 and 1:3. It is usually garnished with a slice or wedge of lime. To preserve effervescence, the tonic can be poured down a bar spoon.

Do gin and cranberry juice go together? ›

Earthy gin with hints of juniper pair beautifully with tangy cranberry juice, tart lime, and sweet and spicy ginger beer in this spin on traditional moscow mule recipes! A cranberry co*cktail is perfect for the holiday season!

What can I mix with gin instead of tonic? ›

Lime juice, lime cordial and even bitter lime are all equally happy bedfellows of gin. If you have a bottle of gin and some lime cordial or fresh lime juice in your home, then you've got the makings of a gin Gimlet! Combine three parts gin with one part cordial or juice, stir, sip and enjoy.

What's the difference between cranberry and cranberry co*cktail? ›

Cranberry Juice co*cktail. Cranberry juice is usually labeled "100% juice." Other fruits are sometimes added to balance the tart cranberry taste, but that label indicates that the product is made with 100% fruit juices. Cranberry juice co*cktail, meanwhile, has added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup for extra sweetness ...

Will one gin and tonic get you drunk? ›

If you're having whiskey or a gin and tonic, you're likely to feel tipsy faster than if you were having a beer or a glass of wine. Ditto if you're drinking on an empty stomach as your body will absorb the alcohol quickly.

Why is gin and tonic so expensive? ›

-Gin is primarily comprised of Juniper berries. Juniper berries are only hand picked wild so limited availability of those berries drives the price up. -Botanicals are very pricey, again driving the price of Gin. Botanicals are sold primarily to distilleries and cosmetic companies.

Do you pour gin or tonic first? ›

To craft the perfect G&T at home, simply fill a highball glass up to the top with ice cubes (a pre-chilled glass is an added bonus). Then, pour in your gin, top with tonic water and lift with drinks stirrer or long spoon from the bottom to mix without disrupting the fizz. Garnish with a wedge or twist of fresh lime.

What is a cranberry tonic? ›

To start, add gin, orange liqueur, grapefruit and cranberry juices in glass. Add ice. Step 2: Add orange slice to glass. Top with tonic water. The Cranberry Gin and Tonic is a delicious and refreshing drink that is a great choice for any occasion.

Is there a cranberry gin? ›

Capital K Presents Cranberry Gin 750mL – Capital K Distillery - Made by Manitoba.

What is the healthiest mixer for gin? ›

11 of the best low-calorie and low-sugar mixers for gin:
  • Aqua Libra Fruit-infused Sparkling Water. Save. ...
  • TwelveBelow Tonics. ...
  • PURA Soda Cucumber & Lime. ...
  • Upstream Grapefruit & Bergamot. ...
  • Nexba Strawberry & Peach Kefir. ...
  • Dash Water Rhubarb & Ginger Soda Water. ...
  • The Artisan Drinks Co. ...
  • London Essence Pomelo & Pink Pepper Tonic Water.

Is gin better with tonic or soda water? ›

The most classic combination of gin and tonic is the perfect example of this: tonic's sweetness enhances gin's herbaceous flavor and its bitterness calms its alcoholic kick. Anything mixed with tonic can easily be mixed with club soda, and vice versa, but club soda offers a subtle flavor desired in many situations.

What soda tastes best with gin? ›

If you like a dry drink, ginger ale or ginger beer makes an ideal gin mixer. It works especially well with big-flavoured gins that you'd like to tone down a little. Because it's spicy rather than floral, it can stand up to bold flavours often found in gin.

Why is it called a gin rickey? ›

The Gin Rickey is one of the few classic co*cktails that doesn't have an origin muddled by history or shrouded in rumors and innuendo. The invention of this refreshing highball is refreshingly clear: It was named after Joe Rickey, a Democratic lobbyist living in Washington, D.C., during the late 19th century.

What is a martyr drink? ›

Martyr's Signature Margarita. 14.50. Espolon Blanco Tequila, Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice and Agave Nectar.

What is a gin buck co*cktail? ›

Ingredients. 1 1/2 ounces gin. 1/2 ounce lemon or lime juice, freshly squeezed. Ginger ale or ginger beer, to top. Garnish: lemon or lime wedge.

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