Blueberry Gin and Tonic

Ingredients

Blueberries – There’s nothing like fresh, plump blueberries in the middle of summer. If you don’t have access to that, you can use thawed, frozen blueberries. 

Gin – I used Mermaid Zest Gin from the Isle of Wight Distillery, but I have some other recommendations in the next section. 

Lime juice – You can also use lemon juice if you prefer or only have that on hand. Freshly squeezed is always recommended over bottled whenever possible!

Tonic water – There are many different brands or even ways to mix tonic water – I have everything outlined in my tonic water section two sections below. 

Best Gins for a G&T

With any cocktail, I always recommend that you choose the gin YOU like best, even if it’s not on my list of recommendations. Afterall, it is YOUR cocktail that you’re making. But, if you’re not sure where to begin, this will give you a head start.

London dry gins – These are gins like Bombay and Tanqueray. They’re the typical choice for gin and tonic cocktails.

Mermaid Zest – This is a citrusy gin with notes of rosemary is what I used to make my Blueberry Gin and Tonic. I found mine at my local Total Wine. 

Teasmith Gin – I cannot recommend this brand enough. I haven’t found a gin cocktail that has not benefited from this Scottish gin. It’s made with Ceylon tea and is just lovely! I have also used it in my Earl Grey Martini and Gin Mojito. 

If you can’t find any of these or none strike your fancy, try checking out your local distilleries. There are so many small, independent distilleries out there making amazing products, but lack the resources to distribute widely. 

Oftentimes if you stop by a local distillery, they’ll offer you tastings (with a tour sometimes!) or you can order cocktails to get a feel for what you like. If you’re in Charleston, like me, High Wire Hat Trick Gin and Nippitaty Gin are my local picks.

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1: Muddle the blueberries in the bottom of a cocktail glass. Add the gin to the glass.

Step 2: Add the lime juice and ice cubes. Then, top with tonic water of choice.

Step 3: Stir the cocktail very well, moving the spoon up and down to evenly distribute the ingredients, especially the blueberries which like to sink to the bottom. Garnish with a few extra whole blueberries and a lime wedge if desired. 

Tips and Variations

• For a sweeter cocktail, add a touch of simple syrup. Or, if you’re using a tonic syrup, increase the amount used. 

• To make a more tart or sour cocktail, increase the amount of lime juice. 

• Add floral flavors by adding a touch of Creme de Violette or St. Germain Elderflower liqueur. You can also try my elderflower syrup. 

• Muddle some herbs with your blueberries. Herbs like basil, mint, and thyme would all be lovely! My Basil Gin and Tonic is a great example of using herbs with this kind of cocktail.

• If you want more of a blue color in your Blueberry Gin and Tonic, add a touch of blue curacao. It’ll give a little extra citrus flavor, like it did in my Blue Mojito.

• Freeze whole blueberries, herbs, and/or edible flowers with water in ice cube trays and use that for your ice for extra flavor and an aesthetic drink. 

How to Make a Big Batch and Making Ahead

Simply multiply the measurements by the number of servings you need. I have included measurements for making 8 servings in the recipe card notes below.

As far as making the cocktail ahead, you can prep some of the drink ahead of time, but I don’t recommend making a batch of the complete cocktail in advance.

Simply, muddle your blueberries with a long wooden spoon in a large pitcher. Then, add your gin and lime juice and chill in the fridge for up to 1 day in advance. When it’s time to serve, top with the tonic water and stir very well to ensure everything is evenly distributed. Opt to add your ice to your cocktail glasses, not the pitcher as not to dilute the drink.