Rosemary Gin and Tonic

This refreshing variation on gin and tonic is made with rosemary-infused simple syrup, lime juice, tonic water, and your favorite type of gin.

Thanks to its aromatic characteristics, gin is the perfect spirit to use in herb-infused cocktails like this one. Our homemade rosemary-infused simple syrup is the secret ingredient that flavors this slightly sweetened riff on a classic gin and tonic.

What style of gin makes the best gin and tonic?

As with all things food and drink, the type of gin you use in a cocktail like this one is purely a matter of personal taste, but it always helps to be informed. That being said, a little background on the most popular styles of gin might help you choose.

• London dry gin: The type of gin most often used for mixing cocktails is London dry. True to its name, it is quite dry and features the classic gin flavors of juniper and cilantro. Brands of London dry gin include Beefeater, Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray, and Tanqueray N° 10.
• Holland gin: This Dutch-style gin (also known as genever) is fuller-bodied than the London dry and has a more pronounced juniper flavor. Most often served either neat or over ice, this style of gin is usually a bit too intensely flavored for mixing. De Kuyper and Bols are two popular brands of Holland gin.
• New / Western-style gin: Sometimes referred to as Western dry gins, these relative newcomers to the gin market digress a bit from the classic juniper-forward flavor profile and highlight their signature botanicals instead. Hendrick’s, G’Vine, and Aviation American Gin are all among the best-known brands of new gin.

In addition to the three types of gin mentioned above, there is Old Tom gin, a slightly sweetened gin style dating back to 18th century England, and Plymouth gin, a fuller-bodied, citrusy gin produced only in the city of Plymouth, England.

More gin cocktails to try

• Strawberry Basil Rickey
• Classic Tom Collins
• St. Germain Gin and Tonic (from That Skinny Chick Can Bake)