Pink Gin and Tonic
A pink or strawberry gin with tonic and fresh strawberries over ice. Easy, fruity and very quick.
- Time
- 4 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Glass
- Wine glass
- Strength
- 1.9 UK units
How to make a Pink Gin and Tonic
- Fill the glass with ice. Fill a large wine glass to the top with cubes. More ice keeps the drink colder and slows the dilution.
- Add the gin and strawberries. Pour in the gin, then tuck the strawberry slices between the ice and the side of the glass.
- Top with tonic. Pour the tonic slowly down a bar spoon or the side of the glass, so it keeps its fizz.
- Stir once and serve. Lift the ice once with the spoon to mix, then serve straight away. The drink should be pale pink and fizzing.
- Glass
- Wine glassNo wine glass? A highball glass or a large tumbler.
- Ice
- Ice cubes
- Garnish
- Two or three thin strawberry slices on top of the iceOr: A lemon or lime wheel.
What you need to make a Pink Gin and Tonic
Bottles we'd use
- A pink or strawberry ginGordon's Premium Pink or Beefeater Pink Strawberry are easy to find. Both are sweeter than a dry gin.Find it on Amazon
- Light tonic waterFever-Tree Refreshingly Light Indian Tonic keeps a sweet gin from tasting cloying.Find it on Amazon
- Angostura bittersFor the original pink gin or to tint a London dry gin.Find it on Amazon
Links to Amazon are affiliate links: if you buy through them, Bar Bandol may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Pink Gin and Tonic variations and swaps
If you only have London dry gin, add 3 dashes of Angostura bitters to 50 ml of gin in the glass and swirl before adding ice. Angostura gives a pinkish tint, though it looks closer to blush or rose than bright pink. For a pinker drink, crush one strawberry in the glass first and add 5 ml of sugar syrup. Swap the strawberries for raspberries, or add a sprig of mint. Elderflower tonic suits a sweet pink gin, and alcohol-free gin and pink tonic make a good alternative.
The Pink Gin and Tonic story
Pink gin has two meanings. The original is gin with a few dashes of Angostura bitters, and the story most often told is that it began with Royal Navy officers, though the details are hard to prove. Today the name mostly means a flavoured gin, usually with strawberries or other red fruit, that is pink in the bottle.
A sweet pink gin needs a drier mixer, so choose a light or dry tonic and keep it very cold. Many pink gins are sweetened and lower in strength, so check the label. Slice the strawberries thin, because they flavour the drink as it sits.
Pink Gin and Tonic: your questions answered
What is in a Pink Gin and Tonic?
A Pink Gin and Tonic is made with 50 ml pink, 150 ml tonic water and 2 strawberries. Garnish: two or three thin strawberry slices on top of the ice.
How strong is a Pink Gin and Tonic?
Made to this recipe, a Pink Gin and Tonic contains about 1.9 UK units of alcohol per drink. That is worked out from typical bottle strengths, so it changes with the bottles you use. UK guidelines advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week.
What glass do you serve a Pink Gin and Tonic in?
Serve a Pink Gin and Tonic in a wine glass over ice. No wine glass? A highball glass or a large tumbler.
