Finally, the oh so classic gin and tonic is always up there on my list of winter favorites. Although this traditional drink needs no improvement, it’s both easy and entertaining to add different flavors to spice things up. I recently purchased a bag of dried roses at one of my favorite OKC shops, Savory Spice. I love the floral addition of rose to hot chocolate and have wonderful memories of my wife making making rose milk with honey. I decided to try adding the flavor of the roses into the gin. I then made a pretty classic gin and tonic with the rose gin, adding a bit of fresh grapefruit juice and a splash of rose water. While the gin makes this drink wintery with its flavor reminiscent of Christmas trees, if you happen to become attached to this cocktail, the rose and grapefruit will allow it to be transitioned into next season’s garden party.
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Ingredients
- 3 ounces rose infused gin
- 1 ounce quality tonic syrup (such as Strong Tonic)
- 4 ounces sparkling water
- grapefruit wedge
- splash of rosewater
- dried rose petals
- 2 teaspoons dried rose petals (available at Savory Spice Shop)
- 2 cups of gin
Preparation
In mixing pitcher with ice, add rose gin, rose water, tonic syrup, and grapefruit wedge. Gently mash the grapefruit wedge using a bar spoon; stir and strain into an ice-filled highball. Pour in the sparkling water and lightly stir to incorporate; garnish with dried rose petals.
Rose Gin
In a clean jar, add rose petals and gin. Cover, shake, and allow to sit for 2 hours. Strain into clean jar and set aside.
