If you were going to improve on an already perfect drink, how would you do it? You would start by making it bigger and colder. Much bigger and colder. Then you would figure out what makes the drink taste so good and you’d add more of those same things in the form of aromatic, herbaceous, colorful, visually striking garnishes.
Well, that’s exactly what the thirsty chefs of Spain’s Basque region did — and they changed the gin and tonic forever. Sorry, they changed the “gin tonic” forever. They don’t include the “and.”
I’m relatively new to the wonderful world of the Spanish-style gin tonic and, believe it or not, I have a Netflix series to thank for exposing me to this bigger, better version of the cocktail. The show is called Elite and focuses on the trials and tribulations of a bunch of very rich Spanish students. When they’re not sleeping with each other (and/or trying not to be murdered) they’re drinking gin tonica.
The idea here is to taste the gin and decide how best to garnish. Anything goes, and as long as you’ve used a big, bulbous glass, and lots of ice, you’ve done it right. I really think this is the perfect summer cocktail, but having said that, these would also be very nice in the evening, especially if sipped while streaming some quality Spanish television. Salud!
Either way, I really do hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!
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Spanish Gin and Tonic (Gin Tonica)
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Ingredients
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whole spices, such as juniper berries, pink peppercorns, star anise, cardamom pods, cloves, or cinnamon sticks
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2 fluid ounces gin
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4 to 6 fluid ounces tonic water, to taste
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sliced fresh citrus fruit, such as lemon, orange, lime, or blood orange
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fresh herbs, such as basil, thyme, mint, rosemary, or tarragon
Directions
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Fill a large red wine glass with fresh ice almost to the top.
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Add whole spices to the glass. These should be chosen to compliment the botanicals in the gin, and some common choices include juniper berries, peppercorns, star anise, cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. For a more pronounced flavor, whole spices can be “bruised” by pressing with your fingers, or the flat of a knife before adding.
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Pour in gin. Then very slowly and gently pour in tonic, so as not to lose the carbonation. For best results, use a “Mediterranean style” tonic instead of the classic Indian style, since they tend to be less bitter, and often include flavors like rosemary and lemon.
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Add slices and/or zest from the citrus fruit(s) of your choice. Use a cocktail stirrer or spoon to gently poke the ingredients down, and mix the drink. Do not stir vigorously!
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Push in the fresh herb sprigs. Common choices are basil, thyme, mint, rosemary, or tarragon. For a stronger, more fragrant effect, slap the herbs between your hands, or squeeze between your fingers to activate the essential oils.
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Serve 3 to 5 minutes after mixing to give drink time to chill thoroughly.
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Chef John
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 366 | Calories |
| 2g | Fat |
| 74g | Carbs |
| 7g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 1 | |
| Calories 366 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 1% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 29mg | 1% |
| Total Carbohydrate 74g | 27% |
| Dietary Fiber 19g | 68% |
| Total Sugars 28g | |
| Protein 7g | 15% |
| Vitamin C 357mg | 397% |
| Calcium 180mg | 14% |
| Iron 4mg | 24% |
| Potassium 936mg | 20% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
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