Our Favorite Frozen Gin & Tonic Recipe (We Tested Three!)

After work this past Tuesday, we had a little frozen gin and tonic taste-testing party. And we highly suggest you have a few friends over to do the same!

We tested three ways to make this classic drink — only frozen — and each method was delicious. We all agreed that if these three recipes were served at restaurants around town, we’d show up just to order them. However, they are easy enough to whip up at home, and after much discussion and comparison, one recipe received five out of six votes over the others.

To make sure we were accurately comparing drinks, there were a few ingredients we kept consistent:

• 1 cup gin (we used Franklin Distillery Gin)
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon lime zest
• 6 mint leaves (we happen to all be fans of mint in gin and tonics)

Beyond that, the recipes differed.

For recipe number one, we used frozen tonic water ice cubes. This requires having two basic ice trays on hand and freezing your tonic water for at least 10-12 hours. This recipe got five out of six votes for first place.

For recipe number two, we used tonic syrup and regular ice cubes. This requires having tonic syrup on hand, which most people do not. However, we recommend that you do — especially after how this recipe turned out! (We used Jack Rudy’s Tonic Syrup.). If the flavor of this one had had the same consistency of the first recipe, it may have taken first place. One person did vote for this one and there was a lot of back and forth.

For recipe number three, we used tonic water plus regular ice cubes. This was the easiest recipe to imagine most people having all the ingredients on hand. While we all enjoyed this one, it came in last place in our taste test. No one picked this one first. But it’s still good … it’s still worth making … it’s just not EXCELLENT.

For all three recipes, we used Kroger brand tonic water, as the recipe that inspired the frozen tonic ice cubes suggested not using a higher-end tonic if you are going to freeze it. Plus, we like the Kroger tonic water! (Kroger sponsors our recipes; we often try their house brands and pass along our favorites in our recipes).

Frozen tonic ice cubes? Recipe number one, with the frozen tonic ice cubes, made us all converts! Buy some ice trays (here is a link to the ones we used for just $6.99) and try this out.

Frozen tonic ice cubes have a different consistency than regular ice cubes. They are “softer,” and once blended, they make a really satisfying “soft” texture — almost like a fluffy sorbet. The other two recipes ended up with harder ice particles (think sleet versus snow) and were watery from the beginning.

As we sipped on the different frozen gin and tonics, we discussed different ways to vary the recipe. Our musings included:

• Adding cucumber to the blender
• Adding orange bitters
• Adding simple syrup for those who like things sweeter

And we definitely decided to have future cocktail-tasting gatherings. Here’s to a return of the cocktail party — fancy dresses not needed!

We’ve included all three recipes below so that you, too, can host this tasting party and decide which is your favorite. Before we get to the recipes, we wanted to show you each drink up close:

All of these cocktail recipes were shot on paper placemats available at Hester & Cook, 24 sheets for $29.95.

Now, for recipe number two:

 

And, our last recipe:

Love frozen cocktails? Try our Frozen Watermelon Margaritas or these tropical Frozen Spicy Pineapple Margaritas!

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Find more amazing food and beverage inspiration in our recipe archives. Click HERE and start planning your next meal or cocktail hour.