Gin and Tonic, frozen

The traditional gin and tonic drink is transformed into a frozen, pleasant summer slushie! Use your ice cream machine to produce a smooth alcoholic slushie, or replace the water with ice and puree it in your blender. Next time, try a pineapple cooler or watermelon agua fresca.

Frozen gin and tonic origin story

If you don’t want to read this, simply scroll down to the next heading for the recipe!

I traveled to Austin, Texas for a week in May 2019 for a work conference, and it was excruciatingly hot and humid the whole time. Every restaurant we went to had largely (or totally) outdoor seating, and I was a water junkie.

Instead of a glass, I almost begged the wait staff for full pitchers of cold water. Or just allow me to stand in their walk-in freezers. Unfortunately, no one responded.

The most refreshing experience of the vacation was when a bunch of us traveled to Loro. We had to wait a bit for our seats, so we sat outdoors in these adorable Adirondack chairs (in the shade, thank GOD).

As we waited, a few individuals went inside to the bar for some beverages and to cool down. One of my colleagues came back out at one point, drinking this white slushie drink. That seemed to be VERY REFRESHING.

So, of course, I screamed across the yard, OHMYGOD WHAT IS THAT?!, which I’m sure mortified him since the poor man lived there and there could have been others who knew him around. I just lack a filter (sorry, Josh).

He told me it was a frozen gin and tonic, something I had never heard before before and was intrigued about. We locked the place down, blah yada yada, and I had had five or six frozen gin and tonics. Oops.

But my pals were AMAZING. These went down like water, which I’m sure was due in part to my need for liquids on that trip. You could probably offer me a glass of gasoline and I would have gobbled it down.

I’ve been intending to make a frozen gin and tonic at home ever since I returned from Austin, but I despise our blender. It seems to sense my approach with ice cubes and begins shaking and seizing up before I even remove the top.

Enter the ice cream maker

Since I despise the blender, I decided to try the recipe in my ice cream machine instead. Granted, it would take a lot longer, but I was certain I’d have a beautiful slushie consistency. I was thinking about those alcoholic slushie machines you see at bars and become entranced by as you wait for your order.

Is it just me?

Why this ended up being a great idea:

It’s straightforward. I wanted you to be able to add all of the ingredients at once and then sit back and relax as you make some tacos. Or, if it’s too hot to be alive, laying face down on the cold kitchen floor.
It keeps the food cool. You may let it churn until it’s nice and thick, then portion off what you want and store the rest in the freezer until you’re ready to serve it. Let it to churn for a few minutes more.

When I took these photographs, I made a mistake: I selected the warmest day of the year so far (heat index 106F), and even with our central AC, you can still feel how humid and disgusting it was outdoors.

As a result, the beverages melted considerably quicker than I anticipated while photographing them.

But just keep in mind that if you prepare these on a less hot day, they’ll likely last a little longer than shown above. However, in reality, it won’t matter since you’ll probably finish the glass before it has a chance to sweat.

To be clear, I am not urging you to gulp your alcoholic beverage or binge drink. It’s referred to as hyperbole. Don’t make fun of me.

What kind of gin and tonic water should I use?

I use Fever-Tree Tonic and Aviation Gin in mine. And before you assume that I only drink Aviation Gin because Ryan Reynolds owns the brand, know that you are completely accurate.

Not totally, to be sure. I began drinking it because he purchased it, but I keep drinking it because I actually prefer the taste to other gins I’ve tried.

No, this is not sponsored. Unfortunately, Aviation Gin and Ryan Reynolds are unaware of who I am. Sadly, this is the case.

Does it need a sweetener?

I don’t have any proof, but I believe Loro added a little simple syrup to theirs. I don’t, but if you want to sweeten it up a little, add 2-4 teaspoons of simple syrup.

What should you use as garnish?

Garnishing with a wedge of lime juice and a thin slice of cucumber is certainly optional.

or tonic (since some are more floral or herbaceous than others), you may find that the tastes compliment one garnish better than the other, and you may go either way. Depending on your gin of choice,

Frozen Gin and Tonic

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Prep Time: 5mins

Total Time: 25mins

Servings: drinks

✓ Read the recipe beginning to end

✓ Check oven calibration

✓ Check expiration dates

✓ Properly measure ingredients

✓ Check butter temperature

Description

The simple, classic gin and tonic cocktail is turned into a a frozen, refreshing summer slushie! Grab your ice cream maker for a smooth alcoholic slushie, or swap the water for ice and throw it in your blender.

Equipment

Maker of ice cream

Ingredients

cooled 24 oz. stonic water (we like Fever Tree especially the Elderflower flavor)
12 oz. cold water
8 oz. cold gin
2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice, about 1 lime, cooled
or cucumber slices for decoration Lemon wedges and

Instructions

Before using your ice cream machine, ensure that all of the components are cooled and that it has been suitably frozen.
In a frozen ice cream machine, add tonic water, water, gin, and lime juice and whirl until thoroughly incorporated and slushy (about 25 minutes).
24 oz. tonic water, 12 oz. cold water, 8 oz. gin, 2 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
or cucumber slices, garnish with a straw, and serve immediately Enjoy!
slices of lime and
Pour or scoop into serving glasses, top with a lime wedge, and serve.

Notes

Don’t have an ice cream maker? Just swap the water for 2 cups ice and throw it in a blender instead!

Nutrition Facts

FAQs

Can you freeze a gin and tonic?

Freeze the gin and tonic ingredients in an airtight jar for up to four months. After a few months, the flavor will begin to fade in the freezer.

Why do you put ice in gin and tonic?

The ice cools the gin, dulling the alcohol’s impact on the mouth and making the cocktail more pleasant and refreshing to sip. Pour the gin and tonic over ice in a glass. In certain places (such as the United Kingdom), gin and tonic is also sold pre-mixed in single-serving cans.

Should gin and tonic be cold?

As previously said, it is critical to serve your gin and tonic ice cold. Although chilling the gin beforehand will make your cocktail colder, you should also get the glass as cold as possible. Just add a bunch of ice to get this effect.

Can tonic be frozen?

Pour the tonic water into ice cube molds the night before. Freeze overnight or until completely frozen. When ready to serve, stir in the frozen tonic water ice cubes, gin, and lime zest. Mix until the mixture is smooth and icy.

Is it OK to put gin in the freezer?

Placing your gin in the freezer will not destroy it. In reality, it is the most effective approach to preserve the purity of the spirit. Gin may be stored in the freezer indefinitely. But, you must store it in an airtight container since oxygen might alter the flavor of the alcohol.

Should gin be refrigerated or frozen?

According to experts, the best location to store gin is in the fridge, particularly if you don’t have any ice to keep your spirit chilled. A master distiller of gin told Good Housekeeping that gin is best served cold, so store bottles in the fridge if you plan to consume them soon.

What is the perfect formula for gin and tonic?

A basic mix of two parts tonic to one part gin is straightforward to follow, easy to remember, and will never fail you down. Method: Fill a rocks glass halfway with ice and add in two ounces of gin. Remove the tonic water from the refrigerator and carefully pour it into the glass.

Should a gin and tonic be shaken?

Shake vigorously for at least 10 seconds with ice. Over ice, strain the ingredients. Add aromatic tonic to the drink and gently mix.

How do you pimp a gin tonic?

To make your cocktail, pour 25ml of cranberry syrup over ice, followed by 50ml of gin and 100ml of tonic water. Double Dutch Cranberry Tonic Water is recommended by Michael Stringer. Garnish with frozen cranberries and a mint leaf.

Does ice make tonic go flat?

“Plenty of ice lowers the temperature of a drink, making it more difficult for the carbon dioxide in your tonic to escape, keeping your drink fizzier for longer.”