Apple Cider Gin and Tonic

You can use any apple cider you like – or even make this a little lighter, and more reminiscent of the polish Zabrovka and Apple Juice cocktail that we LOVE sipping when traveling in Poland (only with an earthier kick thanks to the gin), and use apple juice, instead of cider, instead. We hope you love this delicious fall cocktail as much as we do!

At Ajpal, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

How to Make Gin and Tonic with Apple Cider

Unlike my juniper cardamom gin and tonic (which is adorably named after my friends goats), this gin and tonic uses apple cider instead of a simple syrup, so is quick to mix and lightly muddle – so you can get sipping right away without having to mix a simple syrup.

Apple Cider Gin and Tonic Ingredients

First assemble the following ingredients:

Gin – Mothers ruin! That’s what it used to be called, because people in the early 1700’s though women who got too drunk were led to neglect their kids and turn to prostitution thanks to the intoxicating flavor of gin. I always chuckled at that nickname, and it makes me wonder why it’s my favorite liquor ;), but I prefer mineral-forward, herbal gins to pair with apple cider. I personally don’t like very anise-forward gins with apple (licorice and apple aren’t my favorite combination), but I know some people LOVE that profile, so grab a gin whose notes you love!

Cider – Apple cider gives this drink the perfect fall kick with apple cider – find one you love the taste of cold, as we’re serving this drink over ice. We prefer ciders that are just a little less spicy, since we don’t want to overpower the gin and juniper flavors.

Tonic – Tonic water gives us the bubbles and mineral flavor that make a great base for our drink. I prefer using diet tonic, since I feel sugar is unnecessary, but you can use any kind you prefer.

Juniper Berries – There is nothing like letting juniper berries give off an extra herbal kick to gin as you sip it – I love the flavor it brings! This is optional, but as someone who LOVES gin and tonics, I buy juniper berries in bulk and add them to pot roasts, cocktails, and of course, lots of G&Ts!

Ice – We love using pebble ice for drinks. Pebble ice machines are fabulously expensive – we saved up gift cards for ours (click here to see the one we have and love), but if you don’t want to spend a fortune, you can also get pebble ice trays that are super easy to use!

Steps to Make Apple Cider Gin and Tonics

Once you have assembled the ingredients, use this method:

Ice. Pour gin into glass over ice with cider, stir to combine.

Stir. Pour tonic over top, stirring to mix. Add more or less tonic, to taste.

Garnish. Top with fresh herbs, apple slices, and juniper berries. Lightly muddle rosemary (press on it with back of spoon) to release flavor. Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks To Perfect Gin and Tonics

What Gin To Use

For this gin and tonic, you want a more floral gin that doesn’t have a ton of anise flavor.

We recommend Hendricks, Botanist, Tanqueray, Monkey 47, or Gunpowder Gin – but you can use a gin you love.

If you really love cardamom, you can make an over the top G&T with Bertha’s Revenge Milk Gin. I once had an insanely cardamom-filled G&T at Muriel’s in Belfast with Milk Gin that inspired this drink!

What Tonic to Use

For any gin and tonic, you want to use a tonic water that you love, since it is a main flavor component for your drink.

I personally like diet tonic to avoid the extra (and in my mind unnecessary) sugar in tonic – and opt for Fever Tree Naturally light, Schweppes diet tonic, or Q tonic.

If you want to try something a bit more flavorful, we love Fever Tree Indian Tonic.

While we love flavored tonics like Fever Tree’s Elderflower tonic, an overly floral tonic would complicate the flavor of this drink and compete with the cardamom, so we advise a plain tonic for this cocktail.

Other Gin Drinks You’ll Love

If you love this delicious and easy gin and tonic, be sure to check out more of our other easy gin based drinks below :

Easy Champagne Fizz Cocktail

Grapefruit Gin Fizz

Blood Orange Gin and Tonic

Pimms Cup Cocktail

Frozen Gin and Tonic Recipe

Pear and Gin Fizz Cocktail

Apple Cider Gin and Tonic

Cardamom and Juniper Gin and Tonic

To see the rest of our cocktail and drink recipe index, click here.

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Apple Gin and Tonic FAQs

I prefer adding apples to this since we use apple cider vinegar, but oranges or pineapple give it a nice acidity. They also taste delicious if you eat them when you are finished with the drink since they have been sitting and marinating in the gin and tonic for a while.