Non Alcoholic Gin & Tonic Inspired Cocktail - Irena Macri (2023)

  • Non Alcoholic Gin & Tonic Inspired Cocktail - Irena Macri (1)
  • By Irena Macri
  • |Published:
  • |19 Comments

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If you’re avoiding alcohol or just not a big drinker, yet you want something refreshing and sophisticated, this non-alcoholic gin and tonic tipple with homemade citrus and botanicals infusion is exactly what you need it. It’s low in sugar, crisp, thirst-quenching and very grownup.

Non Alcoholic Gin & Tonic Inspired Cocktail - Irena Macri (2)

If you’re following the latest trend of going sober or you’re trying to avoid alcohol for other reasons, I want to introduce you to a fabulous alcohol-free tipple that rivals the best gin and tonic.

Here is how it came to be! I was trying to avoid alcohol during the reset Week 1 of my 4-week paleo program. It always amazes me (but doesn’t surprise me) how much people struggle with giving up alcohol. I also find it quite tough because I love a good glass of wine or a gin and tonic on a Friday night or while out socialising.

The thing is that it’s not even the alcohol itself that we are addicted to. It’s the ritual of drinking it. Many of us have also grown to love the flavours of certain drinks and sparkling water with lime just doesn’t cut it.

If you were to opt-in for commonly available mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages, they are often loaded with sugar and additives (colours and flavours), so that’s another trap that makes avoiding alcohol difficult.

As a gin and tonic lover, I decided to create a delicious and healthy non-alcoholic drink that would satisfy the craving without tipping me off the wagon.

I wanted to recreate the flavours of the gin and tonic and somehow avoid the use of gin or tonic water. Challenging? Maybe. Here is what I came up with.

Gin & Tonic Inspiration

Gin is traditionally distilled from grain and malt and the flavour comes from various botanicals such as juniper berries (the key flavour), lemon peel, other herbs and spices and so on. The tonic water is bitter and sweet with a hint of citrus. Together it’s a combination made in heaven.

So, I decided to use citrus fruits, especially grapefruit for its sweet and bitter characteristics, citrus peel, and a few botanicals to make an infusion of sorts. Mixed with sparkling water and poured over ice, it’s a real treat that really hits that G&T spot.

You can make this juice infusion ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for a few days (it will get more bitter over time while the citrus peel releases its oils and the juniper berries flavour will become more pronounced. Then simply mix with sparkling water, in whatever ratio you prefer, and pour over ice. If you want to add some alcohol, be my guest, that will also work really well.

The cool thing is that you can experiment with your own infusion ideas: add some strawberries and basil, lavender and honey, vanilla and cinnamon, rose petal water and peaches. My recipe is for a smaller batch but you can make up a large bottle to bring to a gathering or a party.

How To Make An Alcohol-Free Gin & Tonic Drink

This lovely alcohol-free drink is sweet and zingy yet low in sugar. Bonus vitamin C is included! Let me know what you think guys. I hope you like it.

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Non Alcoholic Gin & Tonic Inspired Cocktail - Irena Macri (6)

Non Alcoholic Gin & Tonic Inspired Drink

★★★★★4.6 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Irena Macri
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Infusion
  • Cuisine: British
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(Video) How To Make An Alcohol-Free 'Gin & Tonic' Drink

Ingredients

Scale

For the infusion

  • 3 large grapefruits (pink or regular or both)
  • 1 lemon
  • 3 oranges (blood orange and regular)
  • 8 juniper berries
  • 6 cardamom pods
  • 1 sprig rosemary

Other

  • Sparkling water or soda water
  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Peel off some rind off the grapefruit, lemon and orange. You want about 3-5 inches long peels, one or two of each fruit to add to the bottle.
  2. Cut the fruit in half and juice into a bowl, don’t worry about the fruit flesh falling in.
  3. Strain the juice through a sieve to catch the meat.
  4. Add the juniper berries, cardamom pods and rosemary sprig to a bottle or other vessel with a lid. Add a peel of each citrus fruit and then pour in the strained juices. Shake well.
  5. Infuse overnight or for a couple of days or use right away.
  6. I like to use half and half of each juice infusion and sparkling water over ice but you can play around with ratios. Feel free to add some lime if you like.
Non Alcoholic Gin & Tonic Inspired Cocktail - Irena Macri (7)
Non Alcoholic Gin & Tonic Inspired Cocktail - Irena Macri (8)
By Irena Macri

About the author: Hi, I’m Irena Macri. Here at Cooked & Loved you will find simple, delicious recipes worth sharing. From new dishes to old-time favourites with a twist, this is the food I cook and love. More about me here.

PS. Some posts contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for purchases made through these links.

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Comments

19 Comments

  1. This sounds so good! I’m doing the Happy Body Formula now and the last drink I had before starting the elimination phase was a craft gin and tonic. I thought at the time, ” I’ll miss this!” – not for the alcohol but for the flavor and perhaps the ritual. Coincidentally I’ve just added back citrus and especially grapefruit to my usually pretty completely seasonal locavore primal diet. This is a match made in heaven! Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Enjoy it 🙂

      Reply

  2. This is so creative! I love it!

    Reply

    1. My husband is on blood pressure meds and can’t have grapefruit. Any suggestions for substitutions?

      Reply

      1. Hmmm, I can’t think of another bitter citrus fruit so you could just omit it and use more lime/lemon. Using some more lemon skin would add some bitterness as well. PS. Didn’t realise you can’t have grapefruit on some blood pressure meds. Must find out more!

        1. Not good with statins i believe. Dic never mentioned it. Pink may be ok, not sure.

          Reply

  3. This sounds amazing! G&Ts are one of my top 2 drinks (the other is a margarita) but I try to limit my alcohol to a few drinks a month, so this would be perfect.

    Reply

    1. Oh, you’ll enjoy it then 🙂

      Reply

  4. This was very easy can’t wait to taste it!

    Reply

  5. Careful – grapefruit juice can be dangerous combined with some Blood Pressure medicines – Ask first before you serve this drink

    Reply

  6. Made this last night for New Years. Every other mocktail is made with soda and junk. This was healthy and great! Everyone thought it tasted a lot like a gin and tonic. Then today I blended the leftover with lettuce for a fancy vegetable juice like a V8 type thing. It was a bit bitter but refreshing and wonderful. All the flavors were so bright.

    I had to find juniper berries and spent five bucks on them but they were totally worth it. Also only had ground cardamom and used a quarter teaspoon. Really excellent!

    Reply

    1. Glad you enjoyed it! And what a great idea to add it to a veggie juice, I wouldn’t have thought of it.

      Reply

  7. Are these green or black cardamom pods?

    Reply

    1. I used green ones.

      Reply

    1. You can definitely find them online, check on Amazon.

      Reply

  8. Hi, your recipe appealed to me because I’ve just begun chewing on juniper berries and loved the flavour. As a non alcoholic its often tempting to not drink anything but water, yet juniper berries seemed a much better bet. And you have done it – made a faux gin & tonic drink – well done. It looks wonderful, the colour is gorgeous and I plan to take it for christmas to neighbours. Thank you for your kind generosity.

    Reply

  9. This worked out really well. I only had 1 lemon so it was on the bitter side but I liked that. It’s like a AF negroni 🙂

    Reply

  10. I have just made this but at the moment does not taste anything like gin but it is very, nice and refreshing. I can imagine sitting out the back on a summer day sipping it. Maybe it will have more of a gin flavour in a few days when it matures a bit more. I presume it will not last much longer than the 2-3 days you suggested. Can I add something to help it last longer?

    Reply

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FAQs

How does non-alcoholic gin work? ›

How is alcohol-free 'gin' made? Some non-alcoholic spirits are made using the same process as for low-ABV ones: with a neutral grain spirit and botanicals being added to a still, which then go through multiple rounds of distillation to remove all the alcohol from the liquid.

What is the name of non-alcoholic gin? ›

Lyre's London Dry Spirit

This premium non-alcoholic gin takes its name from the Australian Lyrebird. Like its namesake, which can mimic the song of birds and other noises, Lyre's London Dry mimics the taste of a classic dry gin.

Is soda water good with gin? ›

Try Gin and Soda! Adding club soda to gin lets you enjoy the botanical intrigue of the flavor: and it takes no time at all to mix up. This cocktail is no new idea: it's very similar to the Gin Rickey, a classic drink from the 1880's. It's a refreshing drink that just so happens to be low calorie, too.

How much alcohol is in non-alcoholic gin? ›

Bottles from the majority of alcoholic gin brands contain a minimum of 37.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). However, non alcoholic gin contains less than 0. 5% ABV, while alcohol-free gin contains 0.0% ABV.

Does nonalcoholic gin have sugar? ›

It is 100% natural, with no sugar, fat, calories, and without artificial flavors. This non-alcoholic spirit is an easy solution for all kinds of cocktails because it is the substitute to Gin based drinks. Mix it with a tonic to make a delicious and healthy Gin & Tonic.

What does non-alcoholic gin taste like? ›

What does non-alcoholic gin taste like? Designed to not only look like the real thing but taste like it too, most bottles of non-alcoholic gin are barely distinguishable from their alcoholic counterparts. Depending on flavour choice, you can get everything from blood orange to crisp cucumber.

Does non-alcoholic gin have less calories? ›

Non alcoholic gin has far fewer calories than alcoholic gin. It contains around 5% of the calories of regular gin but don't have the metabolism slowing effects of alcohol which further exacerbates the calorie difference. This means you have less free energy to convert to fat.

What to mix with tonic water to make it taste better? ›

While gin and vodka are the most famous options, tonic works equally well with cognac, tequila, whiskey, liqueurs, and amaros. A variety of fruits, herbs, and spices can enhance these mixed drinks. Even some cocktails that don't call for it do very well with a dose of tonic.

Can I drink tonic water without alcohol? ›

Tonic water is usually used as a mixer for alcoholic drinks, particularly the classic gin and tonic, but there's no reason you can't enjoy the taste of tonic in a mocktail as well.

Can you drink tonic water on its own? ›

While this drink has found popularity in the F&B industry as something to be enjoyed, there are also a few benefits to tonic water, when it is consumed by itself. The main benefit of tonic water is that it contains quinine. In fact, this is what gives it the slightly bitter taste.

Why is gin the healthiest alcohol? ›

Gin has less sugar and fewer calories than some other liquors. If you already consume alcohol, gin may be a slightly healthier option. Be careful with mixers, however. They can make the sugar content of your drink skyrocket.

What is the best thing to mix gin with? ›

The 8 Best Gin Mixers to Drink in 2022
  • Best Overall: Q Sparkling Grapefruit. ...
  • Best for Gimlet: Nellie & Joe's Famous Key West Lime Juice. ...
  • Best for Dirty Martini: Dirty Sue Premium Olive Juice. ...
  • Best for G&T: Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic. ...
  • Best Ginger Ale: Canada Dry. ...
  • Best Vermouth: Dolin Dry.
20 Sept 2021

Is soda water the same as sparkling water? ›

There is no difference between soda water and sparkling water, both are simply water that has been carbonated with added gas to become fizzy. Soda water has other names, including fizzy water, club soda, seltzer water, and water with gas.

Is alcohol free gin high in calories? ›

The drink contains less than 0.5% ABV and 68 calories per serve, which is ideal for a consumer looking to moderate their alcohol intake.

What is the point of non-alcoholic spirits? ›

These spirits are targeted at drinkers who want to enjoy the social side of drinking without the negative side effects. This movement is about creating an experience with complex flavors that the drinker can sip over a meal or conversation, like wine and cocktails.

How many calories are in a gin free tonic and alcohol? ›

Alcohol Free Cocktail Gin & Tonic (100 ml) contains 9.4g total carbs, 9.4g net carbs, 0g fat, 0g protein, and 24 calories.

Why is Gordon's non-alcoholic gin so expensive? ›

This product is often more expensive to produce than it's alcoholic counterparts and there is usually an additional step – the removal of alcohol or the deployment of a technique to stop alcohol production. This adds time and complexity to the production process which is reflected in the cost.

Is non alcoholic wine good for your heart? ›

Non-alcoholic red wine may be even more effective at lowering blood pressure in men who are high risk for heart attack. The study findings appear in Circulation Research. The study included 67 men who had diabetes or three or more heart disease risk factors.

What ingredients are in non-alcoholic gin? ›

In addition to classic gin botanicals like juniper, they have introduced blends containing sugar snap peas, ginger root, oranges and cascarilla & oak extracts. This makes for a nice, healthy drink alternative to your standard coke or lemon, lime and bitters that are often a sugary second choice to alcohol.

Is alcohol free gin safe during pregnancy? ›

Based on the available evidence, drinking reasonable amounts of alcohol-free drinks under 0.5% is extremely unlikely to cause any harm to a baby.

Is there alcohol free vodka? ›

Arkay is crafted, not distilled, meaning truly 100% Alcohol Free. Flavors and ingredients are all-natural with no allergens, no sugar, not fat, no carbs, no sweeteners, no alcohol. The result is a spirit alternative that delivers the flavor and experience of the original, without the alcohol.

Is alcohol free gin halal? ›

Is alcohol free gin halal? As a general rule, alcohol free gins can be Halal. The spirit needs to be 0.0% ABV for the strict Islamic Law to deem it Halal. Many of the major spirit brands, mostly the gins, are launching non alcoholic ranges.

Is non-alcoholic gin actually non-alcoholic? ›

The answer is, technically, no! Non-alcoholic gin drinks are specially designed to look and taste very similar to real gin, but with very little to no alcoholic content. Legally, real gin must have an alcohol level (ABV) of at least 37.5%, whereas non or low, alcohol gin typically has an ABV of between 0 and 5%.

Why are alcohol free spirits so expensive? ›

While essentially the dominant flavour in any alcoholic drink is the alcohol – made from relatively cheap ingredients (sugar, grapes, hops, grain) – non-alcoholic spirits rely on blending a range of flavours from botanicals, woods, herbs and spices. These may not come cheap.

How much sugar is in Gordon's alcohol free gin? ›

The Gordon's Alcohol Free has 12 calories, 0 grams of sugar and 0 grams of fat per 100ml, making this an extremely low calorie and healthy non-alcoholic spirit.

How many calories in a non-alcoholic gin and slimline tonic? ›

Swap your gin & tonic (170 calories) for a slimline gin & tonic (115 calories).

Is there any alcohol in Gordon's alcohol-free gin? ›

Made using only the finest distilled botanicals, just like the original Gordon's London Dry Gin, Gordon's 0.0% provides the bold, juniper led character you'd expect from Gordon's. The perfect alcohol-free alternative to your usual choice of Gordon's & tonic. 0.0% Alcohol, 100% Gordon's.

How much alcohol is in gin and tonic? ›

A gin and tonic made with a single 25ml measure of 37.5% Alcohol by Volume (ABV) gin contains 0.9 units.

How do you make a gin and tonic less bitter? ›

Tonic water contains quinine, a bitter compound that adds character to cocktails. With a pinch of salt, you'll see how easy it is to take that bitter edge off. Remember, this trick will work with bitter foods, too. But don't go overboard: Too salty is almost as bad as too bitter.

Does tonic water help digestion? ›

Small doses of quinine found in tonic water have long been used as a home treatment for indigestion and muscle cramps. The evidence of its ability to help isn't there either, however. Tonic water side effects include nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Read more: Is Carbonated Water Bad for You?

Is tonic water Healthy? ›

Tonic water is a carbonated soft drink that may contain sugar and has little nutritional value. The quinine present in tonic water provides a distinctive bitter flavor. While not dangerous, tonic water does not have any benefits and could lead to an unnecessary increase in calorie consumption.

What is a non-alcoholic drink called? ›

A non-alcoholic mixed drink (also known as virgin cocktail, boneless cocktail, temperance drink, or mocktail) is a cocktail-style beverage made without alcoholic ingredients.

Can kids drink tonic water? ›

Avoid giving your child foods or drinks that have quinine, such as tonic water. Low blood sugar has happened with this drug, especially during pregnancy. If your child has high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your child's blood sugar closely.

Can alcoholics drink mocktails? ›

Mocktails' Role in Sobriety and Early Recovery

Because the experience of consuming mocktails is so similar to drinking alcoholic cocktails, they can be a trigger for addiction. For this reason, drinking mocktails and other alcohol-free beverages that mimic beer or wine is not advised for those in early recovery.

Who should not drink tonic water? ›

People with the metabolic disorder glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) should also avoid it. For the rest of us, from a health perspective, alcohol is a much more worrisome mixed-drink ingredient than tonic.

Does tonic water affect blood pressure? ›

Drinking gin and regular tonic also caused an early transient rise in heart rate and fall in blood pressure and a later reduction in arterial velocity in both hemispheres.

Can diabetics drink tonic water? ›

There are also important risks associated with consuming too much tonic water. "As with any source of added sugar, over-consuming it can lead to avoidable chronic diseases, like heart disease, and diabetes," Amer says.

Does gin reduce belly fat? ›

Although slimmers might think they have to cut out alcohol when trying to lose weight, one study showed drinking gin could actually help burn fat fast. Just by having the spirit, dieters could burn up to 17 percent more calories and start to burn body fat quickly.

Is gin good for kidneys? ›

The juniper berries in gin contain elements which can help to fight infection and prevent heart disease, as well as improve the blood's circulation around the body; these powerful little seeds are a superfood, and also help to fight liver and kidney disease.

Is gin anti inflammatory? ›

Conclusions: Both wine and gin showed anti-inflammatory effects by reducing plasma fibrinogen and IL-1alpha levels. However, wine had the additional effect of decreasing hs-CRP, as well as monocyte and endothelial adhesion molecules.

Is gin good for health? ›

The juniper berries in gin contain flavonoids, which can clean clogged arteries. It can also reinforce the connective tissues of the veins. Having moderate amounts of gin every day (one small glass) can decrease the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases.

What juice goes well with gin? ›

Easy to make, a Gin & Juice cocktail is refreshing and tasty in equal measure. Try orange, mango, pineapple and apple juices if you have a sweet tooth, or cranberry and grapefruit if you prefer a bitter twist. Try: 50ml any dry gin with 125ml fruit juice of your choice served over ice.

Does gin give you a hangover? ›

When you consume any alcoholic drink in excess, it can lead to hangovers. Gins, with its 40+ per cent alcohol content, can get you there a bit faster than the rest. A set of unpleasant symptoms as a consequence of overdrinking is referred to as a hangover.

Is San Pellegrino same as soda water? ›

Mineral water: like Perrier or San Pellegrino, contains naturally occurring carbonation and minerals. Since it's bottled directly from a natural source, it tends to be pricier and has a more delicate effervescence than other carbonated waters.

Which is healthier soda water or sparkling water? ›

Most nutrition experts agree that sparkling water is generally healthier than soda, juice, sports drinks and even diet drinks, according to the University of Chicago Medicine.

Is soda water good for upset stomach? ›

Carbonated water may help with indigestion

Feeling gassy and bloated can be unpleasant – sparkling water can help. Research indicates that for some people, a glass of carbonated water can help to reduce the discomfort of indigestion, helping to release trapped gas.

Is gin and sparkling water healthy? ›

Best: Gin & Tonic

A shot of gin has just 100 calories, so when paired with a low-cal mixer such as tonic water and given a twist of lime, this classic cocktail is a healthy choice at just 135 calories. To save even more calories, pair with club soda instead.

Is gin and soda better than gin and tonic? ›

A gin and soda will let the botanicals of the specific gin come through more noticeably,” says Hemsworth. “It's better if you're wanting to taste the subtleties of the gin. Tonic will give you that extra bitter hit, but also sweetens the drink. It makes it less about the gin and more about the mixer.”

Can you mix gin and water? ›

As delicious as a great tonic water can be, a half-and-half mix of gin and water will dilute the spirit in a way that properly wakes up the pine-needle aromas of juniper and its potential batch-mates angelica root, coriander seed, cassia, orange peel and who knows what else.

Can you substitute club soda for tonic water? ›

Club soda and seltzer water can be used interchangeably with little to no flavor change, but tonic water should not substitute club soda or seltzer. With its distinct bitter or citrus flavor, tonic water may drastically affect the flavor of the drink you are trying to make.

Does gin burn belly fat? ›

Although slimmers might think they have to cut out alcohol when trying to lose weight, one study showed drinking gin could actually help burn fat fast. Just by having the spirit, dieters could burn up to 17 percent more calories and start to burn body fat quickly.

Is gin good for your liver? ›

The juniper berries in gin contain elements which can help to fight infection and prevent heart disease, as well as improve the blood's circulation around the body; these powerful little seeds are a superfood, and also help to fight liver and kidney disease.

Is gin good for diabetics? ›

Gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey

If you do drink these with alcohol, your blood sugar may spike and then dip to dangerously low levels. When consumed on their own, hard liquors provide 0 grams of carbs but may lead to very low blood sugar levels. Avoid drinking them on an empty stomach or mixing them with sugary drinks.

Which is healthier tonic or soda water? ›

And, based purely on sugar content, plain sparkling water, mineral water or soda water is certainly healthier than most tonic waters out there. That's because neither plain sparkling water, mineral water or soda water have sugar in them.

How many calories are in a gin and tonic? ›

A 25ml measure of gin has just 54 calories. If you add a regular, non-diet option tonic to your gin, that rises to 97 calories when made with a 37.5 ABV gin*, which is similar to a single buttered crumpet.

Is tonic water or club soda healthier? ›

Nutritional Content - Winner: Club Soda

Tonic water contains more in its nutrition profile. It has added sugars, as well as calories and carbohydrates. It also contains sodium but no fat, fiber, or protein. But just because it has more doesn't mean that it's superior.

Is gin good for acid reflux? ›

Best Drinks for GERD Patients

According to the pH level, gin, tequila, and non-grain vodkas are the lowest acidity options; choosing drinks made with these alcohols will be best on your stomach.

Is gin good for health? ›

The juniper berries in gin contain flavonoids, which can clean clogged arteries. It can also reinforce the connective tissues of the veins. Having moderate amounts of gin every day (one small glass) can decrease the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases.

What kind of people drink gin? ›

“Classic gin martini drinkers are born traditionalists. They don't really like it when people order dirty martinis, except that the people who do are usually lots of fun at parties,” says Brown. Gin martini drinkers know how to hold their liquor, and approach drinking as refined aficionados.

Can I use 7Up instead of club soda? ›

Because 7Up is naturally sweet, sour and carbonated, it can be used as a substitute for multiple ingredients – club soda, sugar and sometimes citrus juice – in some cocktails. Drinks such as mojitos and gin fizzes use lime juice and simple syrup to flavor drinks and club soda to provide carbonation.

Is tonic water good for diabetics? ›

There are also important risks associated with consuming too much tonic water. "As with any source of added sugar, over-consuming it can lead to avoidable chronic diseases, like heart disease, and diabetes," Amer says.

Is tonic water good for leg cramps? ›

A. Tonic water—and the quinine it contains—have been promoted for preventing leg cramps for decades despite the lack of evidence that they are effective.

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