I’m dying to try this Tomato & Basil Gin and Tonic

By Georgina Torbet Published April 9, 2025

High angle view of basil In a bowl — Dmytro Lvivsky / Mauritius Images / EyeEm / Adobe Stock

This season, savory cocktails are all the rage. That’s great for me personally, as there’s nothing I love more than dousing my G&T with celery bitters. If that sounds odd to you, then let me counter: plenty of gins have savory notes in them, using botanicals like rosemary, salt, and even olives.

If you’re interested in trying a more savory take on the gin and tonic then this recipe from Bridget Albert, Senior Director of External Communications & Host of the Served Up Podcast at Southern Glazer’s, hits all the notes with its use of basil and tomato.

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Tomato & Basil Gin and Tonic

Ingredients:

2 oz gin
1 oz fresh tomato juice (preferably from ripe heirloom tomatoes for a richer flavor)
1/4 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz basil simple syrup*
4 oz tonic water
Fresh basil leaves
A pinch of sea salt

Method:

In a shaker, combine the gin, fresh tomato juice, lemon juice, and basil simple syrup.
Add ice and shake lightly to chill and combine.
Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
Top with tonic water and stir gently.
Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil and, if you like, a pinch of sea salt to bring out the savory notes.

Basil Simple Syrup:

Ingredients:

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

Method:

Combine water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Add the fresh basil leaves and simmer for 15-20 minutes to infuse the syrup with basil flavor.
Strain the syrup to remove the basil leaves and allow it to cool.

Georgina Torbet

Georgina Torbet is a cocktail enthusiast based in Berlin, with an ever-growing gin collection and a love for trying out new…

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