Orange Gin and Tonic Cocktail

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This orange gin and tonic is a super easy, 3-ingredient orange gin cocktail that will take any party up a notch! Super easy to make in batches and serve to a crowd! This orange gin drink recipe is a citrusy twist on a classic!

An orange gin cocktail in a glass garnished with pomegranate seeds, orange and fresh rosemary.

I am definitely a cocktail girl, and I love creating new and exciting things for you guys to try!

If you are anything like me you get tired of the same ole' things again and again, BUT you don't want something that requires 10 ingredients for one drink, AM I RIGHT?

This gin and orange juice recipe is easy to mix up plus you can create new and exciting variations!

If you're on the hunt for more easy drinks to try, you might love a tequila espresso martini, a mango mai tai, or this moscato sangria.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

A sweeter and brighter version of the original that is perfect for sipping by the pool on a summer day.
The addition of one easy ingredient makes a tropical cocktail with a more summery feel.
A simple, refreshing garnish to make it even better! But also ties this orange gin cocktail to India, which is the fourth-largest grower of pomegranates in the world.

What's a Gin and Tonic

There are a lot of crazy-sounding cocktails out there with a lot of messy ingredients. But sometimes less is more! And it's hard to get more basic or classic than a gin and tonic.

This cocktail dates back to the British colonial empire. If you've noticed a connection to India in the names of some popular gin brands, you'll be happy to know that's not a coincidence.

Gin and tonic cocktails were invented by a British doctor in India in an effort to make tonic water more drinkable for the soldiers there. Why did they need tonic water? Because the quinine levels in the water were known to fight malaria.

Since malaria was a problem, the gin and tonic became a popular drink in that place and time, but eventually, it made its way all over the world.

With a cocktail like this, you don't need a lot of gimmicks, just great taste with a few subtle layers of flavor. Adding orange juice to the combination of gin and tonic makes a truly great-tasting drink!

Ingredients

All you need are three simple ingredients plus a few things for garnish to make a refreshing gin and orange juice drink!

Gin: Choose a gin made with quality ingredients and the flavor you prefer. Gins will vary in how the juniper, the botanical used for flavor, presents itself. Some popular brands include Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, and Hendrick's.
Tonic: A sparkling water made with quinine that has a bitter flavor.
Orange juice: For really over-the-top flavor, use freshly squeezed.
Garnishes: Orange slices, pomegranate seeds, and sprigs of fresh rosemary.

How to Make an Orange Gin Cocktail

This gin and orange juice cocktail is super simple and only requires THREE base ingredients: Orange juice, gin, and tonic water.

It's as simple as combining all the ingredients into a cocktail glass with a quick stir.

Fill a glass with ice cubes. Then add the orange juice, tonic water, and gin.

Garnish with pomegranate seeds, a slice of orange, and a rosemary sprig.

Glass of orange gin drink on the table garnished with fresh rosemary and pomegranate.

Can I make orange gin cocktails for a group?

Yes, you can! If you want to make these for a party but can't hire a bartender, that's ok, here's what to do.

Make a large batch in advance and serve it up in a large container such as a carafe, pitcher, or even a clear glass dispenser. You could even use an old-fashioned punch bowl!

Prep up all the garnishes in advance and set them up close by so that party guests can serve themselves! Make sure to have a long spoon available to stir the cocktail every once in a while to keep the ingredients mixed together.

Serve up ice on the side so the drink doesn't get diluted as it sits.

Variations

Garnish: Replace the pomegranate seeds with cranberries for a festive look and swap out the rosemary with sprigs of thyme or mint.
Use a different juice. Feel free to swap out the orange juice with lemon or grapefruit juice instead.
Gin: You can also make this drink with vodka!
Don't like the flavor of the tonic water? Use sparkling water or club soda instead.

How to Serve

For this simple but flavorful cocktail, balance out the simplicity with a more elaborate garnish.

Glass: Serve it up over ice in a highball glass!

Garnish: Swap out the traditional lime squeeze for an orange slice. Add some pomegranate which floats on top or sinks to the bottom of the glass similar to boba balls. To really enhance it, add a sprig of rosemary for some contrasting color.

The garnishes add a splash to this drink making it a showstopper and taking the whole cocktail into the stratosphere.

A hand grabbing an orange gin and tonic to drink.

Expert Tips

Add the ice right before serving so the drink isn't watered down.
Serve ice on the side and provide a spoon for stirring when making this drink for a large group.
Use fresh squeezed orange juice for the best flavor.

FAQs

What's the best glass for a gin and tonic?

The traditional glass used to serve a gin and tonic is a high ball. However, there are many different ways to serve this particular cocktail, using everything from a martini glass to a hurricane glass.

There are a lot of modern and stylish glasses made just for gin that affect how the aromatics in the drink impact how you taste the beverage through your sense of smell and the way that you sip the cocktail.

Since this orange gin drink is about five ounces with three cubes the important thing is to make sure the glass appears appropriately full.
For this, I recommend using a simple 8-ounce glass that will let the beverage interact well with the garnish.

There is a lot more behind the choice of glass than you may realize. Learn more about the wide range of gin glasses and their various advantages in advanced mixology.

A glass of orange gin cocktail on the table with a bottle of gin in the background.

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