Rose Water Gin and Tonic

This botanical Rose Water Gin and Tonic is all you need for date night. Made with rose water, gin, tonic, and lime, it’s a well-balanced cocktail that doesn’t require special tools but is still full of surprises.

Take your gin and tonic up a notch with a dash of romance

Instead of showing up with flowers, why not make your date a Rose Water Gin and Tonic instead? Floral notes and a touch of lime goes a long way in this four-ingredient cocktail recipe. Don’t forget the rose petal garnish when you really want to get fancy!

The classic gin and tonic recipe is delicious on its own but leaves plenty of room for variations. Chances are you have a few items in your fridge that will give it a flavor boost, like blood orange, cucumber, lime, mint, or cranberry. For special occasions, I like to add 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.

What is the best rose water for cocktails?

Not all rose waters are alike. Some are made for drinking, and others for beauty and skincare. Make sure that the rose water you buy is among other groceries in the store and not in the beauty section.

Cortas or Sadaf brands can be found in the Middle Eastern section in 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 pricer than the others.

Where to buy rose water for cocktails

If you can’t find rose water in the Middle Eastern or international aisles in 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.

What you need to make a gin and tonic with rose water

You’ll need these three ingredients to make this floral cocktail recipe. Once your glass is full, add a squeeze of lime to round out the flavors.

Rose water

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

Gin

Gin is one of my favorite liquors. 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!

There is no specific brand of gin you need for this recipe. Use your favorite or try out a different brand or two! 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 from 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

It doesn’t get much easier than this. Make sure you have plenty of fresh ice in your freezer so you can make your cocktail in a pinch or when you’re craving something light, chilled, and bubbly:

Make it your own

Make this cocktail your own by tweaking a few pieces of this recipe. Follow these tips and tricks to make the rose gin cocktail of your dreams:

How to serve

You’ll want to serve your rose gin and tonic with plenty of ice loaded into a highball glass. To serve it extra chilled, keep the glasses in the freezer until you’re ready to pour. Use a cocktail spoon to mix all of the flavors and enjoy.

Can I use rose petals as a garnish?

Absolutely! Not only will this look beautiful, but it’s the perfect garnish when you want to impress your guests. Your garden is the best place to find food-safe rose petals for your cocktails.

Make sure that the petals you use are food-safe (meaning they haven’t been sprayed with anything that is not safe to consume). This Teleflora article has lots of valuable information on how rose petals can add to the flavor of your cocktails and how to enjoy them in the safest way.

Switch up or ditch the liquor

If gin just isn’t your thing, you can switch up the liquor to fit your style. Vodka or tequila would make interesting replacements and a completely different drink! Alternatively, omit the gin entirely to create a rose water mocktail instead.

It's time for a drink!

Now it's your turn to make this delightfully simple and refreshing cocktail! When you do, leave a comment below so I can hear what you thought.