Get ready to fall in love with our Blue Gin and Tonic Cocktail. This vibrant twist on a classic gin and tonic combines crisp gin, bubbly tonic water, and a splash of blue curaçao for a refreshing citrus note and stunning color. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing cocktail that belongs in every home bar.
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🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- So pretty. A gorgeous, easy-to-make cocktail. Blue curaçao adds a bright citrus note to the classic G&T.
- Great for gatherings. Ideal for summer parties, brunches, or as a pre-dinner drink — it’s versatile enough for winter celebrations, too.
- Choose the right tonic. A high-quality tonic water makes a big difference in balance and flavor.
🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you’ll need
Overview of the ingredients. Exact measurements and step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- Berry Twist: Add fresh berries for a fruity accent.
- Herbal Infusion: Muddle basil or mint before mixing for an herbal lift (this may alter the blue hue).
- Cucumber Cooler: Thin cucumber slices add a crisp, cooling element.
- Blueberry: Garnish with lemon and blueberries to pair with more herbaceous gins.
- Extra citrus: Add bitter orange slices alongside a lime wedge for layered citrus notes.
- More color: Increase blue curaçao slightly for a deeper blue, or add a touch of red food coloring to create purple tones.
- No tonic: Substitute club soda or sparkling water if you don’t have tonic; flavor will be lighter.
🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
This is a brief overview — full instructions are in the recipe card below. Click images to view larger.
- Add your favorite gin to a highball glass.
- Pour in blue curaçao.
- Add a squeeze of lime and stir gently.
- Top with tonic water to taste and garnish.
🤫 Marye’s secret for zhuzhing it up
Add a few drops of orange bitters to intensify the citrus and add complexity.
zhuzh: to make something more interesting or attractive
🍴 Must have tools: essential equipment
- Highball glass
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Stirring spoon
- Citrus squeezer
🥫 Leftover love: how to store or prep ahead
Prepare a pitcher of gin, curaçao, and lime a few hours before serving and refrigerate. When ready, pour into ice-filled glasses, top with tonic, and garnish.
Marye’s tip o’ the day
Chill your glassware in the freezer for a few minutes before mixing to keep the cocktail extra cold and refreshing.
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- Use a high-quality tonic for better balance and flavor.
- Blue curaçao is potent—adjust the amount to taste.
- Garnish with a lime wedge or twist for a polished finish.
- Stir gently with a long, thin bar spoon to preserve carbonation.
- Choose firm, heavy limes for the best fresh flavor.
- If unsure which gin to choose, avoid the cheapest options — a modest splurge usually improves the result.
- Some prefer gin with floral or aromatic botanicals; ultimately pick what you enjoy.
- Chilling the gin in the freezer gives a slushy, very cold texture without freezing the alcohol.
- Common ratios range from 1:2 (gin:tonic) for a lighter drink to about 3:5 for something a touch stronger.
🍸 What’s the best tonic for gin & tonic cocktails?
Choosing the right tonic depends on how much you want the tonic to enhance or remain neutral to the gin’s botanicals.
Tonic syrups
Tonic syrups are concentrated flavors you mix with sparkling water. They work, but add an extra step and ingredient.
Flavored tonic waters
Flavored tonics—like elderflower or lemon—can pair well with certain gins but sometimes overpower delicate gin flavors. If you splurged on good gin, consider a subtler tonic to let the gin shine.
Best tonic waters
For a reliable, balanced tonic, many bartenders prefer Fever-Tree or Fentimans classic tonics. They offer bright, fresh flavors that complement most gins without overwhelming them.
👩🍳 FAQs
Have other questions? Ask in the comments.
Yes. Diet tonic is an acceptable substitute if you prefer fewer calories or less sugar.
Tonic water is a carbonated beverage flavored with quinine, which gives it a characteristic bitterness. Modern tonic also includes sweeteners and citric acid for balance.
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📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
The gin and tonic is an iconic, refreshing cocktail. Adding blue curaçao gives it color and a citrus twist that’s perfect for parties and casual sipping alike. At its core it’s simply gin and tonic over ice with a citrus garnish.
Traditionally developed in the 18th century when quinine was used to treat malaria, the original mixers aimed to make bitter quinine more palatable. Today tonic is enjoyed for its flavor rather than medicinal purpose, so adjust the gin-to-tonic ratio to suit your taste.
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📖 Recipe
Gin and Tonic Cocktail
Ingredients
- 4 ounces gin (use the best you can afford)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 cup tonic water
- 2 cups ice
- 1 ounce blue curaçao
- 3 maraschino cherries, for garnish
- Lime wheels, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the gin to a highball glass.
- Pour in the blue curaçao.
- Add a squeeze of lime and stir gently.
- Carefully top with tonic water to taste.
- Garnish with lime wheels and maraschino cherries and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Carbohydrates: 8 g |
Protein: 1 g |
Fat: 1 g |
Sugar: 6 g
Nutrition information is estimated and should be verified if used for medical purposes.
Note: This recipe has been tested multiple times. Substitutions or technique changes may affect the result.
First published March 27, 2017. Last updated June 23, 2024 for editorial improvements.
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Blue Gin & Tonic
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