All-Natural Gin and Tonics

I love this gin and tonic idea with the kumquats! I’ve been drinking the most amazing gin from right outside my hometown in Louisiana. I could seriously drink it on the rocks it’s so good. It’s called Oryza from DP Distillers. I hate to even share it for fear they will run out. It is made with Louisiana sugar cane. Their vodka is a dream too! I was putting blood limes in my gin and tonics, tart and yummy. I will definitely try it with kumquats because blood limes are not that easy to find. Only at some farmers markets here in the SF bay area and not all year round.

Too funny, I’ve just begun rediscovering gin and this is a must try!

Love the simplicity and unique flavors of this recipe. Also, these pictures are so lovely!

Have you guys also tried a more herb infused version of tonics?
We’ve made a few batches of this version from Pinch and Swirl.

It’s been awesome!
Feels kind of like making your own vanilla extract but less wait time.

Gonna try your version too now! See how a side by side compares!

Side note: Thanks so much for all the blogger / photographer resources. Much appreciated. I’ve come back to your site for so many refreshers!

While this is beautiful and looks tasty, it’s not a gin and tonic. You actually do need tonic for that! This is closer to a gin rickey which is made with soda water and limes and skips the sugar all together.

I feel so foolish for not knowing “the truth” about tonic water… I’ve been a gin girl for years! Thanks for alerting me to this atrocity, and giving me an easy solution to fix it!

Hi Dana,

While I LOVE a gin cocktail, I was just wondering what app/program/website you use to calculate the nutrition info for your recipes. I’m looking for something that’s less painful to use than a free website. Thanks!

Gin has recently become my go-to after judging a cocktail contest. I thought I didn’t like it much before, but discovered I was buying poor quality gin that had a medicinal taste.

Good quality gin = good cocktails = happy me.

I, too, have been on a gin kick. Recently discovered Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin (small batch producer from Oregon). It’s so good paired with FeverTree or Q Tonic. I never knew how much influence the tonic has on the taste and a high quality tonic infused with botanicals can really change the whole drink. Will have to try your version. I highly recommend you pick up a bottle of Uncle Val’s. It’s a really cool bottle too, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Many people interested in staying healthy have switched to agave as an alternative to HFCS. However agave is actually a worse choice than HFCS in many cases it contains an equal amount or more fructose than HFCS. Most agave syrup or nectar is nothing more than a laboratory generated super condensed fructose syrup devoid of all nutrient value. The average percentage of fructose ranges from 70-97% much higher than HFCS.

I love this–thanks so much for sharing! I wonder if there’s a way to make an all-natural negroni… :)

looks tasty:) Since I love gin and tonic I’ll have to try these, too :D

For Australians, Capi brand tonic water is all natural, and a good pick for a G+T.

Kumquats sound great with gin! In the absence of those, I’d go lemon over lime. Even orange is nice. Or straight up with a good tonic water :)

Lovely idea! What’s the hand tool that you’re using to blend the kumquats?

Thanks for sharing this! I absolutely adore gin and tonics but I have some of the same uh, “questions” about tonic and some of the strange ingredients in it.

This looks so refreshing- I can’t wait to try it!

-Keley

Also, forgot to mention, we got the large ice cube tray recently as well, and it changed our world! Not to mention, it makes cocktails look even more beautiful. Don’t you think?

We’ve been on a cocktail kick recently, and this beautiful and simple recipe just sounds lovely! I am quite a fan of the gin and tonic, but this one ups the ante. Nice work, you two!

Hi, this looks great!

Gin and Tonic, AND kumquats! Only my two favorite things, I can’t wait to try this recipie!

Jess
x

For those who enjoy the bitter taste of the quinine in quality tonic water, try Q brand. Q has a natural source of quinine, agave nectar, and zero corn syrup. It’s pricy but well worth it. Gin and soda water with fruit is very tasty indeed, but it’s not an actual gin and tonic.

When I am out of Q tonic or want a lighter flavor, I do a gin and soda water with fresh grapefruit juice. It helps replace that bitter flavor more authentically. :) I love Hendrick’s for gin and sodas, and prefer Tanqueray for gin and tonics.

I love this idea and I actually just bought some kumquats the other day… I thought, “I’m sure I’ll find SOME use for these”

I want to happy hour with you. I’ll make you a paloma and you can make me a gin and tonic. :)

Ughhh your photographs slay me every time. This is just simply stunning! I love making homemade syrups (or tonics) makes cocktails so much more refreshing (in my opinion)

I’ve been making a variation on a gin martini by adding lemon and a few shakes of bitters. This looks really good though, so I think I’ll try it this afternoon.

I totally agree about gin and tonics! I just rediscovered them this spring and I’m loving how refreshing and bright they are – but I’ve been kind of revolted about using tonic (!) since I’m not a soda drinker and the idea of drinking high fructose corn syrup is, well, gross.

So thank you so much for showing me another way!! I will be buying some seltzer asap :)

Thanks for making this!! It looks so good. Can’t wait to try!!

In the last year I’ve been really liking gin, especially Sloe Gin. When a gin and tonic is made with seltzer or sparkling water it’s called a Gin Rickey. It’s usually what I drink. I love the addition of kumquats. We have a ton right now at work, so I’m going to grab some and make this! Thanks for the beautiful recipe.

I have a kumquat’s tree at home so I’m going to do this for suree!!!