Restaurants›Emigration Brewing Co.›St. Hildies Spiked Tonic Recipe

St. Hildies Spiked Tonic Recipe

Time6m

Serves1

Make St. Hildies Spiked Tonic Recipe in just 6m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Spiked Tonic Cocktail

2 oz gin (preferably London dry)5 oz quinine-forward tonic water (chilled)3/4 oz St. Hildies herbal liqueur or aperitif (if unavailable, use 1 oz elderflower liqueur + 0.25 oz gentian liqueur)1/2 oz Fresh lime juice1/4 oz simple syrup (1:1) — optional, to taste6 pieces ice (large cubes)1 piece fresh lime wheel or wedge (garnish)1 sprig sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme (aromatic garnish)1 piece dried orange slice or long orange peel (optional, express oils)

Method

Spiked Tonic Cocktail

Prepare glass

Select a highball or Collins glass. Fill it with large ice cubes to chill while you assemble the cocktail (about 1–2 minutes).

Add base spirits and modifiers

Discard the quick melt water from the glass if desired and add 2 oz gin and 0.75 oz St. Hildies herbal liqueur (or the suggested substitute) into the glass over the ice.

Citrus and sweet adjustment

Add 0.5 oz fresh lime juice. If you prefer a slightly sweeter drink, add 0.25 oz simple syrup. Stir gently once with a bar spoon to combine the spirits, liqueur and citrus.

Top with tonic

Slowly pour 5 oz chilled quinine-forward tonic water down the back of a spoon or along the side of the glass to preserve carbonation and create a gentle layering effect. Do not stir vigorously after adding tonic.

Garnish and aromatics

Express the oils of a long orange peel over the drink by holding the peel skin-side down about 2–3 inches above the glass and giving it a firm twist. Drop the peel into the drink (or add a dried orange slice). Add a fresh sprig of rosemary or thyme as an aromatic garnish and finish with a lime wheel on the rim.

Final presentation

Give the drink one very gentle short stir (1–2 turns) to integrate the top aromatics with the tonic without flattening it. Serve immediately while cold and effervescent.

Notes

If using the elderflower + gentian substitute, adjust sweetness to taste — gentian adds bitterness, elderflower adds floral sweetness. For lower alcohol, reduce gin to 1.25 oz and increase tonic to 6 oz.