• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Joy the Baker
Joy the Baker
  • New Magazine!
  • Bread
  • Cookies
  • Cakes
  • Pies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Biscuits
    • Muffins
    • Cupcakes
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Buttermilk
    • Chocolate
    • Vanilla
    • Holiday
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Blog
    • Baking 101
    • Tips
    • Beyond the Kitchen
    • Let It Be Sunday!
    • New Orleans

The Winter Gin and Tonic

February 6, 2018 by Joy the Baker 15 Comments

Jump to Recipe

One of the essential attributes of a bonafide New Orleans homebody is a well-equipped home bar and a humble bit of cocktail curiosity.  If you’re going to be home, you best welcome folks over, and you certainly must offer them a cocktail. 

Listen. I don’t make the rules, I’m just here to share them. 

My bar has become a collection of memories of friends and places, long nights spent out on the back porch, Friendsgiving holidays, impromptu happy hours… and ok, maybe the occasional morning headache. I’m a human, too. 

This cocktail is a Winter version of my favorite: a classic gin and tonic. It’s made Wintery with the addition of fuzzy-soft, tender and lovely fresh sage leaves. Gin lends itself very well to aromatic elements and sage is surprising, and no exception.  

This cocktail recipe was a holiday gift from Suzonne Stirling and her cocktail-crafting husband, Michael.  Give a girl a cocktail, she has a cocktail.  Teach a girl how to make a cocktail… that’s a good time, for a long time.  THANK YOU! 

I don’t need to explain a gin and tonic to you – the ingredients are right there in the title.

BUT.  

We’re Winterizing this cocktail to spiritually warm our insides against the cold cold outsides.

It’s been a cold Winter, hasn’t it?  This cocktail is a long time comin’.  

We’ll need:  

Gin (the gin pictured, and the gin I’m loving right now is this Austin Reserve Gin.  It has the most pleasing hints of lavender!)  

Fresh sage leaves (a lot, don’t be shy) + Fresh limes

Gran Classico adds an aromatic bitterness and depth to the cocktail.  A splash will do just perfectly. 

ice and tonic water (Fever Tree is really very good is you’re willing to break the bank, ya know?)

Combine lime wedges and fresh sage in the bottom of a tall glass.  

Muddle, smash, crush.  Get in there.  

We’re extracting lime juice, citrus oils, and sage fragrance and flavor. 

Top the muddling with gin and Gran Classicso.  

Top the gin with ice.

Top the ice with tonic water. 

Add a bit more ice if needed. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge and a dainty sprig of sage leaf.  

We. Are. IN BUSINESS. 

Cheers to these chilly days, these warm flavored cocktails, and fine friends to share them with. 

Photos with Jon Melendez. 

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

The Winter Gin and Tonic

  • Author: Michael Glassberg
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

For One Cocktail

  • 1 generous lime wedge
  • 4 to 6 fresh sage leaves
  • 1 teaspoon Gran Classico Bitters
  • 1 1/4 ounce gin
  • crushed ice
  • tonic water
  • lime wedge or round for garnish
  • a few fresh sage leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a highball glass, muddle a generous lime wedge with 4 to 6 sage leaves.
  2. Add the Gran Classico and the gin.
  3. Fill the glass halfway with ice. Add tonic. Add more ice and tonic to top.
  4. Garnish with a lime round or wedge and a small sprig of fresh sage. Enjoy!


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Previous PostNext Post

Filed Under: Drinks, Holiday, Recipes, Savory

Previous Post: « Let It Be Sunday, 157!
Next Post: Let It Be Sunday, 158! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Feestzaal

    February 12, 2018 at 4:28 am

    Wow … Such an easy recipe for winter gin and tonic cocktail. Definitely trying this. Thank you! :)

    Reply
  2. saltandserenity

    February 11, 2018 at 7:23 pm

    We have really been loving The Botanist Gin, with Fever Tree Tonic. I infuse the gin first, with some dried hibiscus flowers. A slice of grapefruit makes a delicious addition.
    This sage version is tempting me.
    P.S. I have the same backsplash tiles! I adore them. Your bar is so pretty.

    Reply
  3. Alice

    February 8, 2018 at 5:02 pm

    My home bar isn’t even a bar, I definitely need to step up my game! I have some liquor, but no gin, gahhh! Going to the store tomorrow.

    I really just want to hop on a plane and fly out to the States and to New Orleans, eat all the food and drink all the drinks.

    Reply
  4. Analida's Ethnic Spoon

    February 8, 2018 at 9:03 am

    It has been a long Winter and this sounds so tasty for this weekend’s happy hour. I can’t wait to try the sage-lime combo. Thanks!

    Reply
  5. Natalie

    February 7, 2018 at 9:48 pm

    ohhhh GIN GIN GIN MY FAVOURITEEEE ???
    I’ve mixing Gin with lemon or orange all the time by my nature but never followed a recipe exactly
    This recipe is so worthy to try <3 <3

    Reply
  6. Jana H.

    February 7, 2018 at 8:52 am

    Dang. I need to step up my home bar situation. That liquor shelf photo is impressive. I’ve got the ingredients for maybe four different cocktails. I’m not a good hostess at all! lol

    Reply
  7. Dottie

    February 7, 2018 at 8:13 am

    I need to move to New Orleans now! Three reasons: 1. I’ve really been into making cocktails lately. 2. I need to get away from New England winters (like Angie D.). 3. I would like to be friends with you and sit on your porch with you and Angie D. (and drink cocktails). Snow is coming this afternoon and I would rather be there.
    I’ve recently been delving into Italian bitters and blogging a few cocktail recipes using them. I tried Averna in a Bitter Southerner. I’ve been putting Compari in Proscecco and it is so good! I cannot wait to try Gran Classico!
    Love your blog. Happy Mardi Gras!

    Reply
  8. Joan

    February 6, 2018 at 5:45 pm

    I’ve tried Jack Rudy, I’ve tried Fever Tree, but it’s only Q Tonic for this girl! I first had it YEARS ago in NYC at Blue Smoke. They brought out a highball glass with gorgeous ice, a lot of gin, and a small bottle of Q Tonic. I was hooked!

    Reply
  9. Christina

    February 6, 2018 at 3:54 pm

    Jon always kills it with the photos but you guys are extra killing it with this post!

    Reply
  10. Angie D.

    February 6, 2018 at 1:37 pm

    Ugh, can we be friends? Cause I wanna sit on a porch in New Orleans drinking these perfect drinks… instead of sitting in a Manhattan office procrastinating a trip to Duane Reade cause it’s gross and cold and…midtown outside.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      February 6, 2018 at 4:04 pm

      Yes, indeed we can.

      Reply
  11. Jeanne

    February 6, 2018 at 8:25 am

    If you are breaking your bank consider Jack Rudy tonic syrup about 1:2 syrup:gin and top with club soda instead of tonic water. Elevates this to a whole New place. And they’ll bring it to your mailbox from Amazon.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      February 6, 2018 at 9:14 am

      I am very into this information! Thank you Jeanne!

      Reply
  12. Kelsey @ Appeasing a Food Geek

    February 6, 2018 at 5:25 am

    Gin and tonics are my favorite, and I’m pretty sure this recipe might be my new favorite spin on it! The sage sounds like perfection. Thanks for the inspo! xo

    Reply
  13. John

    February 6, 2018 at 4:33 am

    I have long loved g and t AND NOLA, but NOT winter!
    Thanks for this needed bit of inspiration!

    Cheers,
    John

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RELATED POSTS IN Drinks

Best batch cocktail for summer blended and served in two glasses with fruit and mint
Frozen Pimm’s Cups

I’ve been a board certified adult for a few years (if not a few decades) now and can tell you a handful of things for certain. For certain we know that we are here, first and foremost, with the best summer cocktails on our mind: a Pimm’s cocktail.  Adulthood comes with certain small joys that…

Read More

Super Simple Lambrusco Sangria

Here’s how we’re drinking red wine this summer:  with orange soda and ice. I first had this easy-drinking red wine cocktail years ago in Austin, Texas at the Hotel San Jose. Now every time the deepest summer days rolls around and the hot wind loses a bit of its humidity, I find myself craving this…

Read More

9 Ways To Lemonade

Hey it’s me. Just sliding  in your inbox with a refreshing thirst trap for ya.  A thirst trap for the actually very thirsty.  And more than a trap it’s a solution.   Lemonade.  All kinda of ways.  Pink, green, spicy, tropical, healthy, caffeinated.  Gosh Beyonce would be proud. I’m just trying to keep it fresh…

Read More

Primary Sidebar

Fresh baked emails, delivered to your inbox

Jump to Recipe

Receive recipes from Joy the Baker and updates on events at The Bakehouse.

HI! I’M JOY!

Jump to Recipe

Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!

I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher.  I live laugh love in New Orleans. 

MORE ABOUT JOY AND THE TEAM

BOOKS + Magazines

Jump to Recipe

JOY THE BAKER 2022 SUMMER MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2021 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2020 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

HOMEMADE DECADENCE

OVER EASY: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FOR LEISURELY DAYS COOKBOOK

JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK

Jump to Recipe

Joy the baker with dyed bandana around neck

HOW TO MAKE DYED BANDANAS

as seen in JtB Magazine!

Jump to Recipe
joy the baker on facebook joy the baker on twitter pinterest-social instagram-socialbloglovin-social

JOY @ WILLIAMS SONOMA

Jump to Recipe

SHOP THE CAKE LINE OF CAKE MIXES!

DRAKE ON CAKE

Jump to Recipe

Passionate from miles away since 2015.

Check it out on Instagram

Drake on cake instagram.

 

FAVORITE FRUIT RECIPES

strawberry sheet cake on a plate with strawberries on top.

My Favorite Super Easy Strawberry Sheet Cake

Berry crostata topped with whipped cream with coffee.

A Single Serve Berry Crostata Recipe

fresh baked blueberry cobbler on a plate with vanilla ice cream on top.

The Secrets To My Favorite Blueberry Cobbler

POPULAR CAKES

strawberry sheet cake on a plate with strawberries on top.

My Favorite Super Easy Strawberry Sheet Cake

Slice of coconut cake on small white plate with coffee.

My favorite Coconut Cake is actually made with cake mix

A slice of lemon blueberry gooey butter cake held on a cake slicer.

Lemon Blueberry Gooey Butter Cake

Footer

Instagram

joythebaker

📚Baker and author of books and magazines
🎂Creator @drakeoncake
💁🏻‍♀️Classes with me @thebakehousenola
🍰 Products with @williamssonoma

joythebaker
My EASIEST Strawberry Sheet Cake is also my absolu My EASIEST Strawberry Sheet Cake is also my absolute favorite. Get into a box of white cake mix and fresh 🍓🍓 purée! Topped with a thick layer of strawberry cream cheese frosting - this cake is a little pink dream! ⁣
⁣
The Easiest Strawberry Sheet Cake recipe linked in the bio for you! 💋
Our resident reader, @tobyfels shares my favorite Our resident reader, @tobyfels shares my favorite list of the summer on Joy the Baker this year: The Best Books for Summer 2022!  As a person who reads Beach Reads all year long, this is IT! With titles by @ashleymcoleman_ @anarasong @annleary @bonnie_garmus_author @heyashposton @annabelmonaghan @greerhendricks @sarahpekkanen @shelbyvanpeltwrites @marilynsimonrothstein @@misterosman and @kirstin.chen. The guide to your bookworm summer linked in the bio!
Over here testing the limits of “you are what yo Over here testing the limits of “you are what you eat” and will soon be taking my final form as a summer tomato. ⁣🫠🍅
⁣
This Mediterranean Feta and Fresh Tomato Tart is an absolute show stopper with a buttery crisp, press-in crust, whipped feta, and layers of fresh tomato, cucumber, onions, and olives. I’ll leave the recipe linked in the bio - it’s really very special. Join me. We are 🍅🍅.
Here are my two best kept secrets for getting thro Here are my two best kept secrets for getting through this summer.  I’ve never been much for secrets so I’m letting you right in! ⁣
1.	I’m committed to folding crumbled chewy brownies into the easiest homemade no-churn ice cream.⁣
2.	I’m shopping for all of my baking and summer entertaining essentials, wine and cheese at the new @aldiusa stores opening across the Gulf Coast! Wait… you’re as obsessed with ALDI as I am, right? The shopping is always easy and affordable and I always come home with a fun treat among my essentials. Hit up my stories to see my grocery haul (and the chips I ate in the car on the way home) and head to your nearest ALDI for your summer essentials!  #ad⁣
⁣
I’ll leave the recipe and your #ALDILove grocery list linked in the bio!
Let’s just make one! ⁣ ⁣ One Single Berry Cr Let’s just make one! ⁣
⁣
One Single Berry Crostata just you for. Double the recipe (🔗 in the bio) only if you want to share. ⁣
⁣
#joythebaker #berry #crostata #smallbatch #dessert #foodblogfeed
The freezer is packed with ice cream treats from h The freezer is packed with ice cream treats from here on out, and that’s a promise. ⁣
⁣
Find this Milk and Cereal Ice Cream Bar and loads of other semi-homemade ice cream treats linked in the bio! 💓🍦🫠
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Joy the Baker
All rights reserved. Violators will be whupped and sent to bed with no dessert · Privacy Policy

Scroll Up