Herbal Bitter Gin Cocktail with Quinine and Citrus Zest
A refreshing cocktail combining bitter quinine notes with fresh citrus zest and herbal gin for a complex, palate-cleansing drink. This recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together gin, tonic water with quinine, lemon zest for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 4 oz tonic water with quinine
- 1 strip lemon zest
- 1 strip orange zest
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 fresh rosemary sprig
- 2 dashes bitters (e.g. Angostura)
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a highball glass with 1 cup ice cubes and pour 2 oz gin over the ice.
- Step 2: Add 4 oz tonic water with quinine slowly to preserve carbonation.
- Step 3: Express the oils from 1 strip lemon zest and 1 strip orange zest over the glass by twisting, then drop both into the drink.
- Step 4: Add 2 dashes bitters and garnish with 1 fresh rosemary sprig. Stir gently once to combine the bitter, herbal, and citrus flavors before serving chilled as a digestive cocktail.







