Tamarind Gin and Tonic
Tamarind, lime, and tonic turn a classic gin drink into a tart, lightly spiced highball.
Prep: 8 · Cook: 2 · Total: 10 · Serves: 2 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.7/5 (76 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
An original highball that gives gin and tonic a tangy tamarind turn with a honeyed lime finish.
Story
Theo likes a highball that does not play it safe. Tamarind brings a sharp, fruity tang to gin, and honey smooths the edges without burying the botanicals. Pour it tall, keep the tonic cold, and let that lime wheel announce happy hour.
By Theo
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 3 ounces London dry gin
- 1 1/2 tablespoons tamarind concentrate
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- Ice
- 8 ounces chilled tonic water
- 2 lime wheels, for serving
- 2 small mint sprigs, for serving
Instructions
- Stir the honey and hot water in a small glass until the honey dissolves, then cool for 2 minutes.
- Fill two highball glasses with ice and divide the gin, tamarind concentrate, lime juice, and honey syrup between them.
- Stir each glass for 10 seconds to chill and blend the tart tamarind mixture.
- Top slowly with the chilled tonic water, leaving room for the bubbles to rise.
- Taste and add a splash more lime or tonic if you prefer a sharper or lighter drink.
- Garnish with lime wheels and mint, then serve immediately while the tonic is lively.
Chef Tips
- Use a tamarind concentrate meant for drinks or cooking, not a sweetened candy syrup.
- Chill the tonic before building the glasses.
- A floral gin makes the tamarind taste especially bright.
- For a lower-proof pour, replace half the gin with extra tonic.
Cook's Notes
- Chill tonic first.
- Stir with ice before topping.
- Add tonic slowly to preserve bubbles.