Italian Gin & Tonic

We’re mixing up two of the easiest, most classic cocktails for a mashup that’s sure to be your new signature drink. It’s the Aperol Spritz meets the Gin and Tonic: An Italian G&T, but make it holiday.

I love an Aperol Spritz during the holidays because, let’s be honest, it’s drinking season. And the Aperol Spritz is such easy sipping goodness. On the other hand, I also love gin’s juniper and botanicals during the holidays because it just tastes so Christmasy and yummy. But it’s not easy to drink a lot of gin at holiday parties and get-togethers, even for me. So combining them mixes the best of both: easy to drink with all the best holiday flavors.

Happy holidays and happy cocktailing!

Watch Me Mix It

Make it With Me

1. We’re mixing this one right in the glass we’re drinking out of, so fill your glass of choice with ice.
2. Add all of the ingredients and top with tonic water.
3. Stir together and garnish with an orange slice. Enjoy!

Make Your Own Cinnamon Syrup

Making your own cinnamon syrup at home is actually really easy and produces a fresher, more natural-tasting syrup. The base recipe uses 1 water and 1 part sugar, plus 3-4 cinnamon sticks. Heat everything in a small saucepan on the stovetop, whisk the sugar until it dissolves, and reduce to a simmer. After about a minute, take it off the heat and let the cinnamon sticks steep at room temperature for up to 6 hours. The longer the stronger. Strain it into a storage container and refrigerate. It should keep for up to 4 weeks.

Spritz and G&T Ratios

A classic Aperol Spritz has a 3-2-1 ratio. That is, 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, 1 part sparkling water. It’s bitter, sweet, bubbly, and easy sipping.

A classic Gin and Tonic is even easier, with a 2-to-1 ratio. That’s 2 parts tonic water and 1 part gin.

Because these classics are so simple, the quality of the ingredients really matters for the final result. The best part is you can tweak the flavor a little based on your preferences by buying a sweeter or drier prosecco, for example.

There are also many different types of gin to choose from. London Dry is the most common and includes brands like Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire, with strong juniper flavor, strong on the booze level, and no added sugar. Other varieties range from sweeter and stronger like the Old Tom style, to smoother and mellower like Plymouth Gin. There are even contemporary style gins that you might be able to find local to your region that tend to put their own flavor spins on the spirit based on the botanicals around them. Oh no, now you have a reason to go gin tasting! Whichever style of gin suits you, they’d all be perfect for this Italian Gin and Tonic.