• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Grateful Meal
  • About
    • Press
    • Contact Me
  • Nutrition Coaching
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Easter
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Shop
  • Contact Me
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Easter
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Shop
    • Contact Me
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Drinks and Cocktails

    Smoked Gin and Tonic Cocktail with Rosemary Recipe

    Published: Jul 21, 2022 · Modified: Feb 16, 2023 by Melissa · This post contains links that pay me a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Gin and tonic with a spring of rosemary smoking sitting on a wood cutting board with a bowl of rosemary sprigs in the background. The text overlay reads "smoked gin and tonic".
    Gin and tonic with a spring of rosemary smoking sitting on a wood cutting board with a bowl of rosemary sprigs in the background. The text overlay reads "smoked gin and tonic".

    You’ll love this smoked gin cocktail if you’re looking for a unique drink with an exciting twist! Whether or not you’ve tried this technique, making your own smoked gin cocktails is a surprisingly easy way to add some flavor to your cocktail game.

    If you’re into experimenting with different flavors and mixology techniques, this cocktail is definitely for you!

    Gin and tonic with a spring of rosemary smoking sitting on a wood cutting board with a bowl of rosemary in the background.

    Gin and Tonics might be one of my favorite cocktails of all time. This smoked rosemary g&t is no different. You should also check out one of my other favorite variations – my Elderflower Gin and Tonic.

    The smokiness adds an intense layer of flavor to any cocktail. Pine, citrus, and warm spices like coriander and cardamom are gin’s primary flavors and aromas. Since gin is very aromatic, the smoke plays nicely off its tasting notes. Smoked rosemary also goes well with bourbon to make a Smoked Rosemary Old Fashioned.

    Jump to:
    • How to Add Smoke Flavor to a Cocktail
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How to Make a Smoked Gin Cocktail
    • Ideas to Enjoy Your Cocktail
    • Related Cocktail Recipes
    • Smoked Gin and Tonic with Rosemary Recipe

    How to Add Smoke Flavor to a Cocktail

    There are a number of ways to infuse smoke into a cocktail. You can buy a smoke gun that burns wood pellets or chips and infuses the residual smoke into the cocktail glass through a short hose.

    Alternatively, you can purchase a cocktail smoking kit with a piece that rests on your glass. Wood chips are put into a small well with a screen underneath it, and the smoke shoots into the glass, infusing the liquor by placing a direct flame on the wood chips.

    This smoked gin cocktail doesn’t require special tools – you will only need a lighter, plate, some rosemary sprigs, and a glass! After lighting a rosemary sprig on fire, allow it to burn a little and produce smoke before placing the cocktail glass directly over it. This will trap the smoke and infuse the smoky flavor into the glass. 

    Ingredient Notes

    Ingredients for a smoked gin and tonic cocktail - rosemary syrup, gin, and tonic water, on a wood cutting board with a black background.

    You just need a few simple ingredients to make a smoked rosemary gin and tonic recipe. Most of these ingredients you may already have in your refrigerator and bar cart or can be found easily in the store.

    Fresh rosemary sprigs: These are the most essential element of this recipe. Not only will you use the rosemary sprigs to light on fire and make smoke in your glass, but you will use them to infuse your simple syrup and even garnish your cocktail if you like.

    Look for the freshest rosemary sprigs you can find since they will have the best flavor and appearance. Rosemary goes seamlessly with gin since it has a similarly strong pine flavor. Rosemary is also very easy to grow – trust me, I have a black thumb and my rosemary in my garden has been going strong for a few years now.

    Gin: You can choose whichever gin brand you prefer for this smoked gin cocktail. I’m a huge fan of a Charleston local gin called Hat Trick Botanical Gin, which is from High Wire Distillery (I highly recommend visiting if you ever make it to Charleston).

    While all gin is made with juniper berries, there are variations in the other botanicals used during distillation. These variations will create distinct flavor profiles in different types of gin. Whichever brand you choose, the flavor profile will go great with the rest of the components of this fabulous cocktail.

    Rosemary simple syrup: Next on the list of ingredients for this smoked gin cocktail is the homemade rosemary simple syrup. You can quickly and easily make this part of the recipe from scratch using sugar, water, and rosemary sprigs.

    To make simple syrup, add equal parts of sugar and water to a saucepan and dissolve it over a medium-low flame. If you’re feeling extra lazy, I have made simple syrup in the microwave as well.

    By infusing a few sprigs of rosemary into the simple syrup as it dissolves, you will create an added layer of flavor to this already flavorful cocktail. If you don’t want the extra rosemary flavor in your cocktail, simply omit the rosemary sprigs from the simple syrup when you are making it.

    Store the simple syrup in the refrigerator once completely cooled for up to one month in an airtight container. 

    Tonic water: To complete this cocktail, top it off with some tonic water. Tonic water has sweet and slightly bitter notes from the presence of quinine. The classic cocktail, gin and tonic, is a perfectly paired combination that is very refreshing on a hot summer day. 

    In this cocktail, tonic lends itself to the other flavors of rosemary and smoke by balancing them out. My favorites are Fever Tree and Q Mixers. If your taste buds don’t care for the taste of tonic, you can replace it with club soda for a more subtle flavor overall. 

    How to Make a Smoked Gin Cocktail

    Smoked gin cocktail on a wood cutting board next to a bottle of Hat trick gin and Fevertree tonic water with a black background.

    Now that we’ve covered the ingredients in this unique cocktail, it’s time to make one! You will need a cocktail glass, lighter, plate, cocktail shaker or mixing glass, strainer, and some ice.

    First, you’ll need to make your rosemary simple syrup. 

    Place equal parts sugar, water, and rosemary sprigs into a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Allow the sugar to dissolve completely and turn the heat off. Let the simple syrup cool completely before straining it into a clean air-tight container. 

    Next, carefully hold the end of a rosemary sprig and light the other end with a match or kitchen torch until it is burning, and place it on a plate. Once it has started smoking, cover it by turning your cocktail glass upside down over the smoking rosemary and let it sit until you are done mixing your cocktail. 

    Add ice cubes to a mixing glass or cocktail shaker, and add your gin and rosemary syrup. Stir the gin and rosemary syrup together. Flip the smoky cocktail glass over and add ice, then strain your cocktail over the ice. 

    Top the cocktail off with tonic water and garnish with a lime and sprig of rosemary. If you like, you can singe the end of the rosemary sprig for dramatic effect. 

    Ideas to Enjoy Your Cocktail

    Smoked gin cocktail on a wood cutting board with a black background.

    The flavors of this smoked gin cocktail are warm and inviting and best enjoyed with friends at a winter cocktail party. This cocktail would pair well with a nice cheese and charcuterie board, accompanied with plenty of crackers, nuts, and olives. However you choose to enjoy this cocktail, you will surely be impressed by its complex flavors. 

    Related Cocktail Recipes

    • An empress gin french martini in a coupe glass on a wooden cutting board with a bowl of blackberries and pink tulips in the background.
      Empress Gin Martini Cocktail Recipe
    • Old fashioned on a cutting board with a smoking rosemary sprig.
      Smoked Rosemary Old Fashioned (without a Smoking Gun)
    • A coupe glass of Empress Gin French 75 on a cutting board with lemons, a bottle of gin, and tulips in the background.
      Empress Gin French 75
    • Close up of the smoked manhattan cocktail in a coupe glass garnished with cherries and a smoking cinnamon stick with a black and white background.
      Smoked Manhattan with Cinnamon Cocktail
    Gin and tonic with a spring of rosemary smoking sitting on a wood cutting board with a bowl of rosemary in the background.

    Smoked Gin and Tonic with Rosemary Recipe

    Melissa
    You’ll love this smoked gin cocktail if you’re looking for a unique drink with an exciting twist! Whether or not you’ve tried this technique, making your own smoked gin cocktails is a surprisingly easy way to add some flavor to your cocktail game.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Cocktails, gin
    Cuisine Cocktails
    Servings 1 cocktail

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
    • 2 ounces gin
    • ½ ounce rosemary syrup see notes
    • 3-4 ounces tonic water
    • Lime wedge and/or more rosemary for garnish optional

    Instructions
     

    • Carefully, burn the end of a rosemary sprig until smoking and lay on a plate. Cover the smoking rosemary sprig with a cocktail glass to trap rosemary smoke.
    • Meanwhile, stir gin and rosemary syrup together in a mixing glass with ice.
    • Flip the cocktail glass over and add ice. Strain the gin rosemary mixture into the glass.
    • Top off with tonic water and garnish, if desired.
    • Optional: you can singe the end of the rosemary garnish for dramatic effect.

    Notes

    To make rosemary simple syrup:
     
    Ingredients:
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup water
    • 3 sprigs rosemary
    Instructions: 
    1. Add sugar, water, and rosemary to a small sauce pan.
    2. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved.
    3. Remove from heat and allow to sit for at least 30 minutes. The long it sits the stronger the rosemary flavor.
    4. Once cool, store in fridge for up to 3 weeks. 
    Makes roughly 12 ounces. 
    CLICK TO DISPLAY NUTRITION INFO

    Nutrition

    Calories: 199kcalCarbohydrates: 19gFat: 0.01gSodium: 20mgPotassium: 11mgFiber: 0.01gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 0.02mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Easy Drink and Cocktail Recipes

    • Martini with a rolled orange garnish on a wood surface.
      Easy Aperol Vodka Martini Cocktail
    • Spritz in a wine glass with a bottle of Cointreau, orange half, and green plant in the background.
      Citrusy Cointreau Spritz Cocktail
    • Spritz with a black and white straw on wood surface.
      Italian Sweet Vermouth Spritz Cocktail
    • Mule cocktail on a wood surface with a bottle of Aperol in the background.
      Aperol Moscow Mule Cocktail

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Photo of Melissa sitting on porch with coffee cup leaning forward with pumpkins and plants on the porch.

    Hi, and welcome! 👋🏻 I’m Melissa, a RD with a Food Science degree living in Charleston, SC. I love sharing all my favorite food and cocktail recipes right here.

    More about me →

    Winter Recipes

    • Rum old fashioned with light shining through on a wood board.
      Spiced Dark Rum Old Fashioned Cocktail
    • Two glasses of hot toddy on a wood cutting board.
      Easy Apple Cider Hot Toddy with Tea (for One or a Crowd)
    • Bowl of potato leek kale soup on a blue and white napkin with bowls of shredded cheese and chives on the side.
      Potato, Leek, and Kale Soup
    • Close up of the smoked manhattan cocktail in a coupe glass garnished with cherries and a smoking cinnamon stick with a black and white background.
      Smoked Manhattan with Cinnamon Cocktail
    • Overview of two bowls of creamy enchilada soup with a spoon in the bowl on a white countertop
      Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup
    • Two bourbon mules in copper mugs with a bowl of limes.
      Kentucky Bourbon Mule

    Popular Recipes

    • Close up of hibachi shrimp rice bowl and other bowls in the background.
      Hibachi Shrimp Rice Bowls
    • Coupe glass with a dried citrus wheel as garnish.
      French 95 (French 75 with Bourbon)
    • Cherry whiskey sour on a wood board with cherries as a garnish.
      Cherry Whiskey Sour (with Bourbon and Amaretto)
    • overview of two buffalo chicken rice bowl with an avocado, cilantro, forks, and a napkin on the side on a white background.
      Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowl

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About + Policies

    • Privacy Policy
    • HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Content and Recipe Sharing Policy

    About + Contact

    • About
    • Contact

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Disclaimer: Information on this website is meant for general use only and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease or condition. Readers should consult their healthcare providers prior to making any changes to their lifestyle. The information contained in this site is intended to serve as general information and should be used in conjunction with advice from your healthcare team. It is not a substitute for medical treatment or therapy of any kind. All information contained in this site is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without permission from the site owner.

    Copyright © 2023 Grateful Meal Nutrition

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    • 9