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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
More Frozen Cocktails
- Strawberry Frosé
- Frozen Mango Margarita
- Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri
- Pina Colada Recipe
- Frozen Margarita Pops
- Watermelon Frosé
Also, check out all my gin cocktails!
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 Tonics
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.
- Slice about five 1/2″ thick pieces of cucumber.
- Next, add all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth!
- Pour into an old-fashioned glass.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can prepare the drink ahead of time and keep it in the freezer. Just make sure to blend it again before serving.
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.
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.
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.
