Gin and Tonic is one of our favorite gin cocktails and we love creating different versions depending on the season. This cranberry thyme gin and tonic is perfect for the holidays and so festive!

Tis’ the season for festive cocktails! One of the easiest cocktails to make is a gin and tonic. A classic gin and tonic consist of 3 main ingredients: Gin, tonic water and lime. All of the ingredients are poured into a glass filled with ice. How easy is that?

However, we like giving the classic gin and tonic a seasonal flavor. There are so many delicious flavor combinations you can make using the 3 main ingredients plus a few extras! We’ve made a lavender gin and tonic, fruit-infused gin and tonics, purple acai gin and tonics and a classic gin and tonic.

Now we’re excited to share a recipe for a cranberry thyme gin and tonic! It’s festive and perfect for any holiday celebration!

How to Make a Cranberry Thyme Gin and Tonic

Ingredients

• Cranberry Simple Syrup (you can also use a splash of cranberry juice instead for an easier version)

• Gin

• Tonic Water

• Thyme

• Lime

Directions

Make a batch of homemade cranberry simple syrup. It’s easy to make! Add two sprigs of thyme into this recipe when the syrup is boiling.

Add the gin, simple syrup and lime into a glass with ice. Give it a stir.

Next, pour the tonic water over the top. After that, garnish with fresh cranberries and thyme sprigs!

What is the best gin for a gin and tonic?

The best gin to use when making a gin and tonic is a botanical blend. We like the blend of herbs and flowers in a gin and tonic. Try Gray Whale or Hendricks. Also, you can try Tanqueray gin.

How strong is a gin and tonic?

It can be as strong or light as you want! You can control how much gin you add to the cocktail making it exactly how you like it. The advantages of being a home bartender!

We served our gin and tonic in a signature Jakobsen Design Halm glass. It’s a globe glass and you can serve it with two or one glass straws. You can see all of their designs here.

Gin and Tonic Ratio

We do a 2-ounce gin and 4-ounce tonic water ratio. However, you can do 1-ounce gin and 3-4 ounces tonic water OR 3 ounces gin and 4 ounces tonic water. The ratio depends on your preference.

How to Make a Non-Alcoholic Cranberry Thyme Gin and Tonic

If you want to create a non-alcoholic version of this cocktail, replace the gin with Seedlip!

ORIGINS OF THE DRINK

The Gin and Tonic drink has been around for centuries and was actually created for medicinal purposes in the 1700’s. The cocktail was introduced by the army of the British East India Company in India.

In India and other tropical regions, malaria was a persistent problem. In the 1700s it was discovered by Scottish doctor George Cleghorn that quinine could be used to prevent and treat the disease. 

The quinine was drunk in tonic water, however, the bitter taste was unpleasant.

British officers in India in the early 19th century took to adding a mixture of water, sugar, lime, and gin to the quinine in order to make the drink more palatable, thus gin and tonic was born. 

Soldiers in India were already given a gin ration, and the sweet concoction made sense. Since it is no longer used as an antimalarial, tonic water today contains much less quinine, is usually sweetened and is consequently much less bitter. Quite the history!

More Gin and Tonic Recipes!

Lavender Gin and Tonic

Fruit-infused Gin and Tonics

Purple Acai Gin and Tonics

Classic Gin and Tonic

Also, check out our guide for making simple syrups. You can experiment with different flavors and combinations of gin and tonics!

If you have tried this Gin and Tonic recipe, please rate it and let us know how it turned out in the comments below! Furthermore, FOLLOW US on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious cocktails, recipes and party ideas!