Frozen Gin and Tonic Recipe

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If you love gin and tonics, this frozen gin and tonic recipe will be your new favorite cocktail! It will get you through hot summer days. This frozen version of the classic tonic cocktail will become your new go-to drink with its combination of gin, cucumber, tonic water, lime, and lots of ice blended into a summer slushie. 

Frozen Gin and Tonic Recipe with text overlay.

My first encounter with the frozen gin and tonic was at a cozy spot in Charleston, Leon’s, where they served it slushie-style. It’s become quite the staple in the south, especially ideal for those seeking a chilled sip to escape the heat.

Drinking in the history and culture of this cocktail adds to its enjoyment, making it more than just a drink—it’s a summertime experience. It’s the ultimate frozen summer cocktail. 

Once I crafted this fantastic cocktail, I had to create more frozen drinks. I love sipping them, especially during the summer. So I made a delightful frozen Paloma with zesty grapefruit juice, smooth tequila, and my ever-tempting frozen mojito; it’s the best! But there is something special about this easily frozen gin and tonic that sets it apart from the rest.

Frozen gin and tonic cocktail with straw and lime wedge.

Why You’ll Love This Drink

Perfect for Hot Summer Days: The ultimate refreshing drink to beat the heat. The ice-cold slushie texture, combined with the classic gin, lime, cucumber, and tonic flavors, makes it a perfect choice for any outdoor gathering or pool party.

A Unique Twist on a Classic Cocktail: While the traditional gin & tonic is a beloved cocktail, the frozen version adds a unique twist that brings out even more flavor.

Easy to Customize: This cocktail can be easily customized to fit your preferences. You can add different types of gin, experiment with various tonic flavors, or even add some fresh herbs to make it your own.

Frozen cocktail in an old fashioned glass with lime slice and paper straw.

Crafting a Frozen Gin and Tonic

Essential Tools

Before embarking on crafting a refreshing frozen gin and tonic, I ensure my kitchen is outfitted with a few essential items:

  • Blender: An indispensable tool for creating that perfectly smooth slushie consistency.
  • Citrus Juicer: To extract the fresh, zesty juice from limes, adding a crucial flavor component.
  • Measuring Devices: Accuracy is vital when balancing flavors, so measuring cups and spoons is necessary.
Frozen Gin and Tonic Recipe with in a glass.

Shopping List and Ingredient Notes

Fresh Lime Juice: I always opt for freshly squeezed lime juice for its pure tartness and subtle sweetness that enhance the botanicals within the gin.

Quality Gin: The foundation of the cocktail. I choose a gin that leads with a strong juniper presence to intertwine gracefully with the other components for a complex taste. The botanical aromas of the gin add a lot of flavor to this drink.

Tonic Water: I incorporate this for its sweet yet pleasantly bitter qualities, which stem from quinine, to add sophistication to the drink’s profile.

Refreshing Cucumber: A small addition of cucumber lends a crisp freshness to elevate the concoction. Sometimes, when feeling adventurous, I switch it out with cantaloupe.

Simple Syrup: Adds sweetness and brings the nuanced flavors that might otherwise be subdued when blended with ice.

Non-alcoholic Version: Substitute the gin with a non-alcoholic spirit or use club soda instead of tonic Water for a mocktail version. 

Garnish: Add a bit of sweetness with some lime wheel garnishes or zest for the perfect finishing touch. If you’re feeling extra fancy, add some thinly sliced cucumbers. 

Pro Tip: If not serving immediately, I keep the mixture in the freezer within the blender vessel; it’s ready to be revitalized with a quick blend before pouring.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Tonic Water Ice Cubes: Use these instead of regular ice cubes. As the tonic cubes melt, this keeps the drink from becoming too watered. Just add tonic water to the ice cube tray and freeze it overnight. 

Lavender Twist: Infuse a hint of lavender for a floral take.

Berry Blast: Muddle in fruits like acai for a berry twist.

Timeless Classic: Stick with the simplicity of quality gin like Tanqueray and premium tonics such as Fever Tree or Q Tonic.

Herbal Zest: Blend cranberries and thyme for a festive mix.

Squeezing limes in a small bowl.

Serving Recommendations

  • Summertime: Ideal for beating the heat.
  • Brunch Gatherings: A refreshing start to the day.
  • Poolside Soirees: Elevate these events with a frozen sip.
  • Birthday Celebrations: Adds a spontaneous touch.
  • Outdoor Festivities: Complement garden or tropical themes.
Frozen gin and tonic with lime slice.
Frozen gin and tonic with straw and lime slice

Now that you know how to make my favorite gin and tonic, please leave a comment and star rating and let me know what you think!

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frozen gin and tonic

Frozen Gin and Tonics

A frozen gin and tonic recipe to cool you down during the hot summer months!
4.37 from 77 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 Cocktails
Calories: 216kcal
Author: Eden

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup cucumber, about 5 slices that are cut 1/2" thick.
  • 4 ounces gin
  • 2 ounces lime juice, fresh-squeezed
  • 4 ounces tonic water
  • 2 ounces simple syrup
  • 2 1/2 cups ice

Instructions

  • First, squeeze the limes for the juice. Using fresh lime juice is a must when creating cocktails. 
    squeezing limes
  • Slice about five 1/2″ thick pieces of cucumber.
    slicing cucumbers
  • Next, add all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth!
    blender full of ice
  • Pour into an old-fashioned glass.
    frozen gin and tonic

Notes

If not serving immediately, keep the frozen concoction in the freezer. Just use the blender jar for convenience.
Balance the taste by adjusting the lime juice, gin, or ice.
Always taste test! Add more lime juice, gin, or ice to this recipe to make it your own! 

Nutrition

Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 45mg | Potassium: 74mg | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pre-make this frozen drink? 

Yes, you can prepare the drink ahead of time and keep it in the freezer. Just make sure to blend it again before serving.

Can I substitute gin for another liquor? 

While gin is the traditional choice for a gin and tonic, you can experiment with other liquors, such as vodka or tequila, for a different flavor profile.

How do I adjust the sweetness level?

You can add more simple syrup or decrease the amount of tonic Water to adjust the sweetness level. You can also use a flavored simple syrup for added depth of flavor.

What are the necessary components for crafting a frozen gin and tonic?

To create a delicious frozen gin and tonic, you’ll need the following:
Gin: Your choice of brand.
Tonic Water: Can be in liquid form or frozen into ice cubes.
Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed for best flavor.
Ice: Crucial for the ‘frozen’ aspect, unless using frozen tonic water cubes.
Garnishes: Lime wedges or zest and mint leaves are popular choices.

Frozen gin and tonic with title.

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