Rose Water Gin & Tonic Cocktail

This 5-minute gin and tonic cocktail has a splash of rose water! Simple and well-balanced, a Rose Water Gin & Tonic Cocktail is botanical and puts a romantic twist on a classic gin and tonic. No special tools required!

For more gin cocktails you can make at home, try my gin cooler cocktail, Negroni with gin, and French 77 with gin.

Jump to:

• Ingredients needed
• How to make a rose water gin and tonic
• Customize the flavor
• Tips for making cocktails with rose water
• Frequently asked questions
• Recipe
• 💬 Reviews

The romantic version of a gin & tonic

Instead of showing up with flowers, impress your date with this Rose Water Gin & Tonic Cocktail! It’s a romantic cocktail with floral notes and a touch of lime. Bonus: all you need are 3 ingredients and 5 minutes to put it together!

A classic gin and tonic is made with, you guessed it, gin and tonic water. However, there are endless flavors you can add to customize this easy gin cocktail, from lime juice to blood orange juice to a splash of cranberry juice. For romantic occasions or spring events, rose water is a perfect choice.

You’ll love this rose gin and tonic because it not only smells like the most romantic flower on the planet, but requires no mess, special tools, or lengthy preparation. Just pour, sip, and enjoy!

Ingredients needed

You only need 3 simple ingredients to make a rose water gin and tonic:

Rose water

Rose water is a flavored, floral water that’s made by steeping edible rose petals in water. Making cocktails with rose water infuses flavors that remind you of springtime: refreshing, herbaceous, and romantic.

Its flavor is very delicate, with floral notes and a touch of sweetness. Every brand is a little different; some are more botanical while others will remind you of fruit. 

You only need a little to make this gin and rose water cocktail. Too much and the flavor will be overpowering. You’ll learn a lot more about making cocktails with rose water in the helpful tips below.

Gin

Gin is one of my favorite spirits. Draw yourself a bath while sipping on a Negroni, cool down in the summertime with a Pineapple Gin Cooler, or celebrate the holidays with a ruby red Cranberry Gin Fizz. It’s an essential ingredient for year-round cocktail recipes!

Gin is similar to vodka, as they’re both clear distilled spirits with 40% ABV and pair well with all kinds of flavors and mixes. But while vodka is virtually flavorless, gin has a botanical flavor with notes of pine and aromatics. This is all thanks to gin’s most popular ingredient, juniper berries. 

Experiment with different gin brands to find your favorite. Hendrick’s is my brand of choice for this recipe but if you’re new to the world of gin, I recommend picking up a bottle of either Plymouth, The Botanist, or Tanqueray.

Tonic

Tonic water is a carbonated soft drink made by mixing water and quinine. It has a bitter flavor that’s toned down once mixed with gin.

You can find tonic with the mixers near the alcohol at your local grocery store or you can buy smaller portions of Q Mixers or Fever Tree at a liquor store or online.

How to make a rose water gin and tonic

A rose water cocktail is a breeze to put together and always comes in handy when you (or your date) are craving something light, chilled, and bubbly. This is how it’s done:

Customize the flavor

There are 3 ways you can customize the flavor of this cocktail: with add-ins, a different spirit, or a different garnish. Learn more below:

Play with the flavor

This is a delicate-tasting cocktail, which means you don’t want to overwhelm it with too many add-ins. Stick to these simple suggestions instead:

• Add lime juice: Instead of garnishing the cocktail with a lime wedge, squeeze the juice right into the cocktail for a boost of citrus. The same goes for a lemon or orange wedge as well.
• Make it sweeter: If you prefer your rose water cocktails to taste sweeter, add up to .5 ounces of simple syrup to each cocktail.

Instead of gin

Switch up the liquor to fit your taste buds. Vodka or tequila would make interesting replacements and a completely different drink! Alternatively, omit the alcohol entirely to create a rose water mocktail.

Garnish

Not only do rose petals look beautiful, but it’s the perfect garnish when you want to impress your guests. You’ll want to be sure that the petals are food-safe, meaning they’re free of pesticides or chemicals. 

The best place to find food-safe rose petals is in your own garden or from a local nursery that sells organic roses. This article from Teleflora has more valuable information on how to safely cook with rose petals.

Tips for making cocktails with rose water

Using the right amount of rose water in cocktails can take some getting used to, so it’s best to have all of the information BEFORE you stir this cocktail together:

The best rose water for cocktails

Not all rose waters are alike. Some are made for drinking, and others for beauty and skincare. When you’re out shopping, make sure that the rose water you pick is with the other groceries in the grocery store and not in the beauty section.

Cortas or Sadaf brands can be found in the Middle Eastern section of Ralph’s and are both budget-friendly options. Nielsen-Massey rose water is another option that can be found near the baking ingredients but tends to be a bit pricier than the others.

A little goes a long way

A little rose water goes a long way! You shouldn’t need any more than ½ teaspoon per cocktail. Start small, then continue to add to ensure the rose flavor is to your liking.

Where to buy rose water

If you can’t find rose water in the Middle Eastern or international aisles of your local grocery store, head to a specialty store. Jon’s market in Los Angeles is my go-to. Alternatively, buy a bottle or two online.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are in this gin and tonic cocktail recipe?

This recipe makes 2 cocktails, but it can easily be made into a big batch by following the notes in my Ultimate Guide to Batching Cocktails for Parties.

Is rose water safe to eat?

Yes, as long as the rose water you buy indicates on the label that it’s made for eating and drinking. You can find food-safe rose water among other groceries in the grocery store (not in the beauty or makeup section).

Which alcohol pairs best with rose water?

I find that rose water pairs best with clear spirits. Stick to gin, vodka, or even blanco tequila.

Can I make my own rose water?

Yes, homemade rose water is easy to make yourself! All you need are edible rose petals and water. This recipe from Life’s Little Sweets will show you how.

Recipe