Mandarin gin and tonic
A Mandarin Gin & Tonic is the wintry cocktail you’ve been looking for. Sweet citrus juice pairs beautifully with herbal gin and tonic water for a twist on the classic G&T. This bright and citrusy gin cocktail is the perfect way to add a little liquid sunshine to these frigid February days! With citrus season in full swing, deep winter is a great time to enjoy the sweet and sour flavors of mandarin oranges.
Ingredients
- Gin (a classic London dry style works great here)
- Manderins (about two fruits per cocktail)
- Ginger syrup
- Limes
How to make it
To make the cocktail, first juice your mandarins and limes. An elbow-style citrus squeezer or a citrus reamer are great options. Manderins tend to be around the size of average limes or lemons, so they will fit easily into a citrus squeezer.
Measure all ingredients using a bar jigger or tablespoons (2 tablespoons = 1 ounce). Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker, then fill it about 3/4 with ice. Shake until well chilled, then strain the liquid into a cocktail glass. Garnish with mandarin slices or wheels, if desired.
How to make your own ginger syrup
A quick recipe is: 2 tablespoons of ginger juice per 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of hot water. Combine all ingredients and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Store any leftovers in a covered jar or bottle. It will last about two weeks in the refrigerator.
If you want to use fresh ginger root, you’ll need about 1/2 cup of peeled and chopped (or grated) ginger. Add a cup of sugar and 1 1/4 cups water to a small saucepan over medium heat.
Stir frequently, until all of the sugar has dissolved, then add the ginger and simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes, or until flavourful.