Blueberry Gin and Tonic

Are you looking for a refreshing and unique twist on the classic gin and tonic? Look no further than this blueberry gin and tonic! This delicious cocktail is perfect for a hot summer day or cozy night in with friends. With only 4 ingredients including gin, lime juice, and blueberry simple syrup, you'll be able whip one up in no time.

This blueberry gin and tonic cocktail is a great way to mix up your happy hour routine. It's made with blueberry simple syrup that adds subtle sweetness and a gorgeous pop of color, while the tonic water balances out the flavors with its subtle bitterness.

Elevating a classic gin and tonic with blueberry is surprisingly easy. Besides the classic ingredients, you'll need store-bought or homemade blueberry simple syrup for a juicy burst of flavor and a touch of sweetness.

Want to make more cocktails at home? Try my blueberry basil margarita, lime vodka seltzer, Aperol Negroni, skinny spicy jalapeño margarita, and creamy espresso martini!

Jump to:

• What is a Gin and Tonic?
• Ingredient Notes
• Substitutions
• Helpful Equipment & Tools
• How to Make a Blueberry Gin and Tonic
• How to Make a Big Batch
• Expert Tips
• Additions & Variations
• Storage & Freezing
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More Cocktails to Try
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

What is a Gin and Tonic?

A gin and tonic is a simple, refreshing, classic cocktail. Typically served in a highball glass, it's made with two ingredients, gin and tonic water, poured over ice. It's usually garnished with a slice or wedge of lime. Most people prefer a 1:1 or 1:3 gin to tonic ratio.

Because there's only 2 ingredients, there's so much room for creativity and experimentation. Different brands of gins have different qualities; some are more juniper-forward while others have more botanical citrus and floral flavors. Some tonic brands are sweet and syrupy while others have bitter notes of quinine (we'll talk about that soon). Finding the right flavor combination is totally up to you.

Ingredient Notes

Make sure to add these ingredients to your shopping list! For quantities and full instructions, see the recipe card below.

• Gin- Any kind of gin works, like London Dry (the truest juniper flavor), Plymouth (notes of juniper berries and coriander), Old Tom (a sweetened gin), or New Western Dry (gin mixed with more botanicals, like rose and mango). Different types of gin have different flavors, so experiment and use whatever kind tastes best to you! I opted for Hendrick's, a classic gin with notes of juniper, rose, citrus, and elderflower.
• Lime juice- Tart lime juice mixed with blueberry syrup is what gives this cocktail such a delicious flavor. Use freshly squeezed lime juice, not the bottled stuff, for the best taste. I promise it makes a huge difference!
• Blueberry simple syrup- You can buy simple syrup or make your own. Check out my blueberry simple syrup recipe for all my tips and tricks!
• Tonic water- Tonic water is a type of soda flavored with botanicals. One of these botanicals is quinine from cinchona bark, which gives tonic its dry, bitter taste. Quinine powder was originally used to treat malaria in the 1840s, and soda and sugar were added to make it more palatable. The tonic we know today is bubbly, bittersweet, and refreshing. The most popular brand (and the brand I recommend) is Fever Tree.

Substitutions

• Gin: Try substituting vodka, blanco tequila, or another clear liquor if you don't have any gin.
• Lime juice: If you don't have any, try using lemon juice instead.
• Tonic water: Sparkling water, seltzer water, or club soda can be substituted, but it'll change the flavor of the cocktail significantly! Seltzer contains carbon dioxide only, which makes it fizz. Club soda is made with carbon dioxide and mineral salts that give it more body. All lack the sweetness and bitterness that tonic water has, so you might have to add more blueberry syrup to make up for it.

Helpful Equipment & Tools

• Citrus squeezer or reamer for juicing the limes with ease.
• Cocktail shaker or a jar with a tight fitting lid to shake all the ingredients together.
• Jigger or a small measuring cup to measure the ingredients as you go.
• A strainer to pour the cocktail through so you don't get any lime or blueberry seeds in your drink! A hawthorne strainer or a small mesh sieve work.
• You'll need a serving glass for your blueberry gin cocktail. Gin and tonics are usually served in a highball (or Collins) glass on the rocks, but the type of glassware is ultimately up to you. I personally like my G&Ts served in a tumbler or rocks glass.

How to Make a Blueberry Gin and Tonic

Here's how to make one blueberry cocktail! Before you start, wash your garnishes if needed and prepare you glass with a big scoop of ice.

STEP 1: Add the gin, lime juice, blueberry simple syrup, and a scoop of ice to a cocktail shaker. Don't add the tonic water yet!

STEP 2: Close the cocktail shaker tightly and shake for 10-15 seconds until the shaker feels nice and cold.

STEP 3: Strain the mixture into your serving glass. Top with tonic and garnish with fresh blueberries, thyme or a sprig of mint, and a lemon or lime wedge. Enjoy immediately!

How to Make a Big Batch

I've found that this blueberry gin cocktail is received so well at gatherings! This recipe makes 1 serving, however, if you'd like to make a large batch, simply multiply the servings by the amount of people you're serving (measurements are in the recipe card). 

Add everything to a pitcher, stir together, and top with tonic water. Be sure to add the ice just before serving so the mixture doesn't get diluted.

Expert Tips

• Use high quality ingredients. A cocktail is only as good as the sum of its parts. Low quality ingredients can ruin the whole thing! You don't have to spend a ton of money, just don't use bottom shelf gin. Ingredients sold in glass bottles are typically higher quality.
• Use fresh lime juice. I guarantee this makes a huge difference! 1-2 ripe limes should be the right amount for this drink depending on the size. A good lime will feel heavy in your hand, have smooth skin, and give a little when you squeeze it. Don't use limes that are hard or have patchy, dull skin.
• Add LOTS of ice. Contrary to popular belief, more ice will actually keep your drink from getting too watered down. It'll also get colder quicker and stay cold longer. Use big ice cubes if possible because they won't melt as quickly.

Additions & Variations

One of the best parts about making cocktails at home is experimentation. Cocktails, especially G&Ts, are so versatile and there are so many ways to customize them. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Swap out the blueberry simple syrup for another infused simple syrup like raspberry, lemon, cucumber, jalapeño, strawberry, or blackberry.
• Garnish your drink with different herbs like rosemary, sage, basil, or cilantro.
• Experiment with different types of gin, like a floral gin or a citrus gin, to find your perfect match.
• If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add a little more syrup, honey, or swap out the tonic water for a lemon-lime soda.

Storage & Freezing

I don't recommend storing gin and tonics since the tonic water will go flat. What you can do, though, is combine the other ingredients (minus the ice) and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you're ready to drink, just add ice cubes and tonic water.

Freezing

Pour the cocktail into an ice cube tray and store in the freezer for up to 1 month. The flavor will start to degrade after a month.

Instead of letting the ice cubes thaw, we'll turn these into a frozen gin and tonic AKA gin and tonic slushy! These are so perfect for summer. Just add the cubes to a blender and blend until smooth. You can add a little more tonic after blending if the slushy is too thick.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Cocktails to Try

📖 Recipe