Hibiscus Gin and Tonics
It's Fridayyyyyyy!!! I always believe in ringing in the weekend with a great cocktail, and today is no exception!?
These Hibiscus Gin and Tonics are just what you need in your life this Friday night, and it's unbelievable twist on a classic with some simple ingredients you probably already have kicking around in your fridge.?
Toronto restaurant Nota Bene has a mouth-watering happy hour menu featuring a delicious Build-Your-Own Gin & Tonic bar, which has definitely influenced this recipe. In their version of the G&T, they first bring out a gin of your choice on ice, with options ranging from Ungava gin and Dillon's, to Hendrick's, to Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray. A bottle or can of tonic is served on the side along with slices of cucumber, dried hibiscus flower and a slice of ruby red grapefruit. In my version, I've combined all of the additions on the side together to create a delicious, fruity, complexly flavoured Gin & Tonic like you've never had before!?
This is not a sponsored post, but I genuinely love Ungava Gin. The bright yellow spirit is made from six rare botanicals native to the Canadian arctic, such as Nordic juniper and wild rose hips, and it's naturally steeped until the gin takes on a complex, almost fruity flavour and produces a distinctively golden hue. Even if you're not a fan of gin in general, I highly encourage you to pick up a bottle of Ungava; it has a more subtle flavour and is really a delicious addition to any cocktail.
The cucumber and grapefruit blend beautifully to create a smooth, punchy and uplifting flavour that definitely highlights the bubbly tonic water. Though you can sometimes find the dried hibiscus flower at health stores or small multi-cultural shops that sell specialty items, I use hibiscus and rosehip herbal tea because it's easy to find at your local grocery store and the taste is very similar.
Will you be trying these Hibiscus Gin and Tonics? If you try any of my recipes be sure to let me know on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook – I'd love to hear from you!
Hibiscus Gin and Tonic
Ingredients
- 4 oz gin
- 2 cucumber slices
- 2 ruby red grapefruit slices
- 1 can tonic water
Hibiscus syrup
- 2 hibiscus teabags
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Set out two glasses of your choice filled with ice. Pour 2 oz of gin into each glass.
- Add 2 tbsp hibiscus syrup to the glass then top with tonic water.
- Garnish with cucumber and a slice of grapefruit each.
- Enjoy!
Dana says
March 11, 2016 at 12:21Omg Taylor, these drinks!! They sound so damn good. If I still lived in Niagara I’d be planning a drink-filed visit with you. Haha. This is inspiring me to play with beverages more. They photograph so beautifully, too! Awesome stuff.
Dana says
March 11, 2016 at 12:22Drink-filled, dammit. My editing eyes have packed it in early today.
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 20:42Dana, that would be amazinggggg! I never used to venture outside of my regular sprite and vodka but once I finished my undergrad degree I was able to splurge on the odd cocktail on a night out in the city. That was enough to get me re-thinking my weekend cocktail hahaha
Bernice says
March 11, 2016 at 12:57These looks so refreshing! Time to bring out the patio furniture here in Calgary…it was 17 C yesterday and the weekend is looking good!
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 20:38Oh wow, that’s amazing Bernice!! It was 20 C here the other day – so beautiful! I absolutely cannot wait for patio season!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
March 11, 2016 at 13:00I am always fascinated by cocktails because I hardly drink them and I never make them. But I like the idea, a lot 😉 . Your Hibiscus Gin and Tonic are gorgeous and must taste sooo good.
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
March 11, 2016 at 13:04I am always fascinated by cocktails, because I hardly drink them and never make them, but I like the idea a lot 😉 . Your Hibiscus Gin and Tonics are gourgeous and I’m sure taste soo good.
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 20:36Thank you Nicoletta! You need to make cocktails more often, so refreshing after a long hard day of work. It’s the sweet reward that keeps you going 😉
Marie says
March 11, 2016 at 13:12It’s Friday and sunny outside, how will I possibly be able to wait until cocktail’o’clock to make myself this drink? I love switching things up cocktail-wise and this sure looks like a delightful variation on a classic. Cheers!
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 20:35Hahahaha thank you Marie!! You just made my day!
Meaghan says
March 11, 2016 at 13:18Heck ya it’s Friday, it’s sunny and mild, bring on Spring and your hibiscus gin and tonic!!! I love hibiscus and it sounds like the prefect match with gin. In my humble opinion gin and tea make a beautiful fragrant partnership 🙂
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 20:34OMG Meaghan, I’d never thought of mixing gin and tea before!
Katy says
March 13, 2016 at 17:25I’ve never tried gin and tonic before, but this looks so yummy! Seems like it would be very refreshing on a warm, sunny day 🙂
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 20:33Thanks Katy! My thoughts exactly!
Mei says
March 13, 2016 at 17:25The colors are so beautiful! And the tonic sounds delicious! Oh a side note, how do you take such beautiful pictures of food and drinks? *-*
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 20:33Hahaha aww thanks Mei!! It’s definitely taken a lot of time for me to build up my photography skills…to learn what sort of camera/lens I use you should check out my blogger resources 🙂 Here’s the link:
Jody says
March 13, 2016 at 18:14I love a good gin and tonic! Can’t wait to try this! Thank so much for sharing the recipe!
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 11:12Thanks Jody! 🙂
lisa @ garlicandzest.com says
March 13, 2016 at 18:19This looks like a really refreshing (not too heavy/cloying) poolside libation! I will be on the lookout for hibiscus tea to make the syrup! Sounds amazing.
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 11:10Poolside cocktails – that’s what I’m talking about!!
Sofia says
March 13, 2016 at 18:26This looks so good! Will have to try this recipe soon 🙂
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 11:08Thanks Sofia! Let me know how it goes!
Carrie says
March 14, 2016 at 04:33This looks fabulous!! I will have to get my husband to make this for me soon!! 🙂
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 11:08I like your style Carrie – put the man to work!! hahaha
Georgianna says
March 14, 2016 at 10:01This looks and sounds amazing! I just love the colors.
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 11:06Woo hoo! Thanks Georgianna!
Suzanne Spiegoski says
March 14, 2016 at 13:41This cocktail looks delicious! I will definitely have to try this, I think the hubby will like this immensely! Thanks for sharing! :0 xo, Suz | http://www.suzannespiegoski.com
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 11:06Haha thank you Suzanne! They’re a great after-work drink!
Amber-Lee - Humble Lifestyle says
March 14, 2016 at 13:55Drooling! Keep up the amazing work girl!
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 11:05Aww thanks Amber-Lee!! 🙂 That means so much!
Jen | A Sip of Bliss says
March 14, 2016 at 16:48These sound amazing! So refreshing!
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 11:04Thanks Jen <3
Bree Hogan says
March 15, 2016 at 02:35I love Hibiscus and I love a good G&T, especially in the hot summer months. Sounds like a winner to me!
janel@nelliebellie says
March 15, 2016 at 10:42I’m a gin and tonic girl and a bit nervous about you messing with my classic :). But it looks so damn pretty I’m willing to take a chance!
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 11:04Hahaha I promise they are a delicious twist on the classic Janel 😉
Taylor Stinson says
March 15, 2016 at 11:07Look in the herbal tea section!!
Kim @ Three Olives Branch says
March 28, 2016 at 17:07Gin and tonics are my THING I love them. Hibiscus has such a light taste, I could see it being great with gin and all the earthy/floral bits in it, I will have to try it out!
Taylor Stinson says
April 9, 2016 at 12:43Thanks Kim!! Yes they are definitely my thing too, they’re the go-to cocktail I order on a night out!