Gimme Some Oven

Spanish Gin Tonics

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This authentic Spanish Gin Tonic recipe is quick and easy to make…and extra fun when made the Spanish way!

Alright, for the final post in our Spanish series this month, we turn to what is probably the most famous cocktail here in Spain…

…a Spanish gin tonic.

Yep, they drop the “and” here in Spain. Yep, they still call the drink by its English name (“un gin tonic, por favor”). Yep, they are wildly popular all over Spain. And yep, they are always served in huge fishbowl gin tonic glasses with a straw, which is so fun!

Also very important — when it comes to crafting an authentic Spanish gin tonic, the more fruit and veggies and aromatic “sprinkles” added in, the better. Gin tonics are so popular here that grocery stores actually sell cute little gin tonic “kits” full of juniper berries, cardamom pods, dried flowers and citrus slices, colorful peppercorns, and all sorts of other fun little aromatics to give your cocktail some flare. Plus you’re also encouraged to add in in whatever other colorful slices of fresh fruit, veggies, or herbs that you might have on hand.

Basically, the fun of Spanish gin tonics is all in the presentation! (And of course, the refreshingly cold cocktail, which is perfect this time of year.)  So grab the largest wine glasses that you have, maybe some paper straws, as many fun slices and sprinkles as you can find, and get creative designing your own Spanish gin tonics!

Spanish Gin Tonic Ingredients:

If you go to a gin tonic bar in Spain, often you will just be given the choice of which gin to choose — everything else is up to the bartender. But when making your own at home, you’ve got all sorts of options! Here are the basic ingredients that you will need:

  • Gin: Choose whatever good-quality gin you love best.
  • Tonic: Schweppe’s is standard in Spain, but I’m more partial to Fever Tree.
  • Decor: As I mentioned above, the more the merrier when it comes to decorative and flavorful add-ins. Here are some of the most popular ones…
    • Fresh fruit/veggies: Lemon, lime or orange slices (or peels) are almost always included in a Spanish gin tonic. But feel free to add in any other fresh fruit that you might have on hand too.
    • Fresh herbs: Rosemary, mint, sage or basil are fun.
    • Dried herbs/citrus/botanicals: Such as dried juniper berries, peppercorns, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, dried ginger, dried citrus peels, vanilla bean pods, etc.

How To Make A Gin Tonic:

This cocktail couldn’t be easier. To make a gin tonic, simply…

  1. Add ice. Fill a large wine glass to the brim with ice.
  2. Add gin and add-ins. Pour the gin over the ice, toss in your add-ins, and give the mixture a quick stir to combine.
  3. Top off with tonic. Then pour the fizzy tonic water on top, add a straw (if you’d like), and serve right away while it’s still nice and cold!

More Favorite Spanish Drinks:

Looking for more Spanish drink inspiration? Here are a few more drink recipes that are popular in Spain:

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

Spanish Gin Tonic

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Prep Time: 3 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 minutes
  • Yield: 1 serving 1x

Description

Spanish Gin Tonic cocktails are all about the presentation.  So get creative and have fun with your favorite add-ins (such as citrus, herbs, dried aromatics, etc.) and enjoy!


Ingredients

Scale
  • ice
  • 2 ounces gin
  • your favorite add-ins (see ideas below!)
  • 4 ounces tonic water

Instructions

  1. Fill a large balloon wine glass to the top with ice cubes.
  2. Add gin and your desired add-ins, and stir briefly to combine.  Then pour the tonic water over the ice, garnish drink with a straw (optional), and serve right away!

Share this Post

Leave a Reply

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

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

7 comments on “Spanish Gin Tonics”

  1. You just need to go a little overboard to turn it into a salad! ??

  2. Nice! Thanks for the inspiration!

  3. We spent a month in Spain last year and the gin tonics were so delicious I found the huge glasses at my local Home Goods and we love adding all the fruits and bitters. If only I could find the delicious olives we enjoyed there too!

  4. Why do you prefer the Fever Tree tonic over the Schweppes? Can you get the Fever Tree in the US?

  5. another great excuse for a cocktail, thank you, plus juniper berries, like it

  6. Oh my gosh this looks amazing and easy! I’m super excited you are sharing authentic recipes!!!

  7. I’ve seen a lot of gin tonic recipes on the internet, and yours is the first one that reminds me of the ones I get in my frequent visits to Madrid. I have to say, however, that the Spanish bartenders tend to go well beyond 2 ounces of gin when they pour it into the glass. They never measure, and they err on the side of generosity. Not a problem, because they also use way more than 4 ounces of tonic water. I remember ordering a gin tonic at a bar in Madrid, and the bartender asked me what gin I wanted. Without thinking, I answered Beefeater because that’s what I was using in my martinis that year. He was horrified and told me that Beefeater was an old man’s drink. I responded that I was over 60, but I’d be happy to take his recommendation. He told me that the “it gin” of the moment was Sipsmith, so that’s what I had. Another thought: Here in the US, a gin and tonic is a before dinner drink. In Spain, a gin tonic is usually consumed after dining.