Barca Spanish Gin and Tonic

Elevate your classic G&T cocktail with this Barca Spanish Gin and Tonic! A classic drink recipe is enhanced with additional herbal and flavorful aromatics for a unique and beautiful cocktail.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

A Gin and Tonic, often abbreviated as G&T, is a popular cocktail made with gin and tonic water.

It originated in the British colonial era as a way to consume quinine, a medication used to prevent and treat malaria, as tonic water contains quinine. Over time, it evolved into a classic cocktail enjoyed worldwide with various regional twists and garnishes.

In Spain, the Gin and Tonic has undergone a renaissance, becoming a sophisticated and stylish drink with a wide range of flavor combinations and garnishes.

This Barca Spanish Gin and Tonic was inspired by a cocktail at Coqueta, a restaurant with locations in San Francisco and Napa.

We went on a trip to wine country and loved this Spanish inspired restaurant, including their cocktails!

Their Barca G&T is what inspired me to recreate the drink at home with the same flavors and aromatics.

Spanish Gin and Tonic

A Spanish Gin and Tonic does not refer to a specific recipe, but rather indicates a style of making a G&T cocktail.

This name means that additional flavors and aromatics are used in the drink which in this case is fresh grapefruit, fresh rosemary, and juniper berries.

This is where the Spanish Gin and Tonic truly shines. Various botanicals, fruits, and herbs are added to enhance the drink’s complexity. Common garnishes include juniper berries, citrus peels (like lemon, lime, or grapefruit), cucumber slices, mint leaves, rosemary sprigs, and even edible flowers.

The addition of these elements is most powerful in the smell when you go to drink the cocktail, and slightly lends a flavor to the drink itself.

The Spanish version of Gin and Tonic is typically served in large balloon glasses. These glasses allow for more room to add ice, botanicals, and garnishes, enhancing the visual and aromatic experience.

Ingredients

Gin – Something earthy is best here. I like to use London Dry style gins.

Tonic – They use Fever Tree, but you can use any tonic that you like

Fresh Rosemary – A small piece of a sprig is all you need

Juniper Berries – I already had some of these on hand from a Thanksgiving recipe. Juniper berries are a key ingredient in making gin. You can skip this if desired.

Fresh Grapefruit Slice – The grapefruit citrus slowly adds a little flavor to the drink along with the aromatic smell when you sip!

The main flavors of this cocktail come from the addition of the grapefruit, juniper berries, and fresh rosemary. They add just a subtle flavor to the drink itself, but add a huge nose impact as you drink! It smells amazing!

FAQs

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