Try an orange gin and tonic with cinnamon for a fall twist on a classic cocktail. Sweet naval orange slices, spicy cinnamon stick, and star anise pair so well with the botanicals of gin and the bitter notes of tonic water.
If you’re a gin and tonic person, you’re going to love this fall twist on your favorite drink. Don’t worry, it’s not sickly sweet, fruity, or cloying. This is still a basic G &T recipe but instead of lime slices, we’re making it with orange slices.
But that’s not all! Plop in a cinnamon stick and a whole star anise. The whole spice gives the drink a warm sweet aroma while sipping. It may surprise you how much excitement it adds.
This orange gin and tonic is really outstanding! Pretty, too, don’t you think?
About this orange gin and tonic:
For the basics of a gin and tonic, refer to this classic gin and tonic recipe.
Just a quick rundown: Use a tall highball glass (as pictured) such as a Tom Collins glass. A stemmed globe glass would really showcase this drink, too.
Buy a good quality Indian tonic water like Fever Tree. Small bottles are best because there’s nothing worse than leftover flat tonic water. Yuck!
Use your favorite brand of gin. Try a London dry gin, such as Tanqueray, Plymouth gin, or a new wave gin, such as Hendrick’s. Each of them has unique characteristics. The London will give you a strong juniper flavor, Plymouth leans more toward the florals, and Hendrick’s goes for a more spa-like flavor with cucumber.
Small batch local distilleries are fun to visit, too, especially if they have tasting rooms. They may have a recommendation for the perfect gin to try for this drink.
Have plenty of fresh ice ready, crushed, nuggets, or cubes, whichever you like best.
What’s in an orange gin and tonic?
- Gin
- Tonic water
- Orange slices (try blood orange for a beautiful drink)
- Cinnamon stick
- Star anise
- Lots of ice
How to make this fall flavored gin & tonic your own:
- Add a few drops of orange bitters, such as Fee Brothers West Indian Orange Bitters, to your drink.
- Substitute a sprig of fresh rosemary for the cinnamon and anise. I love the rosemary in this Cranberry Gin and Tonic.
- Grate a sprinkling of nutmeg on the drink instead of the star anise.
- Substitute vodka for the gin.
Storage and Make Ahead Tips
A gin and tonic is best prepared individually right before you serve it. You can make it in about two minutes. Chill your gin, tonic water, oranges, and have plenty of fresh ice available.
Holiday splashes!
Looking for more cocktail ideas? Try one of these recipes:
- Cranberry Margarita
- Vanilla Bourbon Fizz (Bourbon Champagne Cocktail)
- Orange Mojito
- Cherry Martini
- Cherry French 75 — sweet tart perfection!
- Red Wine and Cherry Spritzer
- Hot White Russian
- Pomegranate Mojito
- Ginger Cinnamon Apple Cider (with or without alcohol)
Orange Gin and Tonic with Cinnamon
Equipment
Ingredients
- Ice (see note)
- 2 orange slices
- 2 ounces gin
- 4 ounces Indian tonic water
- Cinnamon stick, for garnish
- Star anise, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass about ¾ full of ice and add 2 orange slices.
- Pour in the gin and top with tonic water.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick and star anise.
Notes
- I prefer to use crushed or nugget ice in gin and tonics, but regular ice cubes are fine too, just make sure there’s a lot of it!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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