Refreshing Blue Gin and Tonic

I’ve always loved how a classic gin and tonic can make any evening feel a bit more special. But lately, I’ve been playing around with ways to make this tried-and-true drink even more fun. That’s when I discovered the blue gin and tonic – a simple twist that brings a smile to everyone’s face when I serve it.

The best part? It’s just as easy to make as the original. I started making these at our summer backyard gatherings, and now my friends specifically request them. There’s something about that cool blue color that makes people feel like they’re on vacation, even if they’re just hanging out on the patio after work.

If you can make a regular G&T, you can definitely handle this one. Trust me, it’s the same familiar taste you love, just with an unexpected twist that makes it perfect for parties, casual get-togethers, or just because it’s Tuesday.

What Kind of Tonic Water Should I Use?

For this elevated gin and tonic recipe, you’ll want to specifically use blue tonic water, which is a specialty product that adds both color and flavor to your cocktail. Regular tonic water won’t give you the same striking blue effect, though it will still taste good if that’s all you have on hand. The main brands that make blue tonic water include Fentimans and Blue Rose, and they typically get their color from natural ingredients like butterfly pea flower. If you can’t find blue tonic water locally, you can order it online from specialty beverage retailers or make your own by adding butterfly pea powder to regular premium tonic water.

Options for Substitutions

While this fancy drink has some specific ingredients, there are several ways to adjust it based on what you have:

• Birch water: If you can’t find birch water, coconut water makes a good substitute. In a pinch, filtered water with a tiny pinch of salt works too, though you’ll lose some of the mineral notes.
• Citric and malic acid: These give the drink its tang – if you can’t source them, use 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice plus 1 tablespoon of lime juice to get a similar acidic kick.
• Blue spirulina: This is mainly for color – you can use butterfly pea powder instead, or skip it if you don’t mind losing the blue color.
• Malfy con Limone: Any good quality citrus gin will work here. Regular gin plus a strip of lemon zest is also fine.
• Elderflower and chamomile: You can use elderflower syrup instead of dried elderflower, and chamomile tea bags work in place of loose chamomile.
• Quassia amara: This gives bitterness – gentian root or a few drops of cocktail bitters can work instead.
• Primrose Blossom: This is for garnish – feel free to use any edible flower, or a simple lemon wheel.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when crafting this blue gin and tonic is getting the balance of acids right – measuring citric and malic acid precisely is crucial, as even small variations can throw off the drink’s refreshing taste profile.

When adding the blue spirulina, mix it thoroughly with a small portion of the liquid first to prevent clumping, then gradually incorporate it into the larger mixture – rushing this step can leave you with unwanted blue specks floating in your drink.

Temperature control is essential: make sure all your ingredients, especially the tonic water and birch water, are properly chilled before mixing, as warm components will cause the drink to become flat quickly and reduce the beautiful effervescence.

For the best results, add the tonic water last and pour it slowly down the side of the glass to preserve the carbonation, and don’t skip the saltwater solution – those few drops are key to bringing out all the botanical flavors and creating a perfectly balanced cocktail.

What to Serve With Gin and Tonic?

This elegant blue gin and tonic calls for some light and refreshing snacks that won’t overpower its delicate botanical flavors. A small plate of citrus-marinated olives or mixed nuts (especially marcona almonds) makes for perfect sipping companions. You might also want to put out some light cucumber sandwiches or smoked salmon canapés – these classic cocktail bites pair wonderfully with the drink’s herbal notes. For a casual gathering, even some simple potato chips with sea salt can work great, as the saltiness creates a nice contrast with the drink’s botanical profile.

Storage Instructions

Mix & Serve: This blue gin and tonic is best enjoyed right after mixing while the bubbles are fresh and lively. The carbonation from the tonic water will gradually decrease over time, so I recommend making this drink just before serving.

Syrup Storage: If you’ve made extra Spring Tonic Syrup, keep it in an airtight bottle in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The syrup base will help you whip up these drinks quickly whenever friends drop by!

Ingredient Tips: Store your blue spirulina powder in an airtight container away from light and moisture – it’ll keep its bright color better this way. The saltwater solution can be kept at room temperature in a dropper bottle for several months.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	90 minutes
Total Time	105-110 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 200-250
• Protein: 0-2 g
• Fat: 0-1 g
• Carbohydrates: 50-60 g

Ingredients

For the spring tonic syrup:

• 150g granulated sugar
• 2.7g quassia amara
• 150g birch water
• 0.6g elderflower
• 3.75g malic acid
• 7.5g citric acid
• 0.7g chamomile

For the blue tonic water:

• 6 drops saltwater solution (homemade or store-bought)
• 8.5 fl oz birch water
• 1.5 fl oz spring tonic syrup
• 0.1g blue spirulina (for vibrant blue color)

For the cocktail:

• 4.5 fl oz blue tonic water
• 1.5 fl oz Malfy Gin Con Limone (or any premium gin)
• primrose blossom (for garnish)

Step 1: Prepare the Spring Tonic Syrup Ingredients

In a vacuum-sealable bag, combine the following ingredients: 150g birch water, 150g sugar, 7.5g citric acid, 3.75g malic acid, 0.6g elderflower, 0.7g chamomile, and 2.7g quassia amara.

This mixture will be the base for your Spring Tonic Syrup.

Step 2: Infuse the Syrup Using Sous Vide

Seal the bag using a vacuum sealer to remove as much air as possible.

Once sealed, place the bag in a sous vide bath set to 70°C (160°F) and let it infuse for 1.5 hours.

Shake the bag occasionally during this time to help the sugar dissolve and the flavors from the botanicals evenly infuse into the syrup.

Step 3: Cool and Strain the Syrup

After the 1.5-hour infusion period, remove the bag from the sous vide bath and immerse it in cold water to quickly cool the mixture down.

Once cool, carefully open the bag and filter the syrup through a rinsed coffee filter to remove any small bits of botanical residue.

Transfer the filtered syrup into a bottle for storage.

Step 4: Chill Ingredients for Blue Tonic Water

Prepare to make the Blue Tonic Water by chilling the following ingredients: 45 mL (1.5 oz) of the Spring Tonic Syrup you prepared, 255 mL (8.5 oz) of birch water, 6 drops of saline solution, and 0.1g of blue spirulina.

Keeping these components cold will ensure your tonic water is refreshing.

Step 5: Create the Blue Tonic Water

Add the chilled Spring Tonic Syrup, birch water, saline solution, and blue spirulina to a small iSi Gourmet Whipped Cream Dispenser.

Seal the dispenser and charge it according to the manufacturer’s instructions to carbonate the mixture.

Shake well to mix the contents thoroughly before dispensing.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once carbonate, dispense your Blue Tonic Water into a glass and enjoy immediately.

This vibrant blue beverage is both refreshing and visually appealing, perfect for a sophisticated homemade tonic experience.