It’s been a weird summer in Eastern WA. It didn’t really get warm until late June, then it got too warm, and now everything around us seems to be on fire. As a result, I haven’t really gotten to spend that much time outside or felt like I enjoyed all the great things about summer: backyard barbecues, long walks at dusk, or sipping on a cocktail while enjoying the summer sunshine.
I guess what I’m saying is that I’m ready for fall. It’s a strange thing to wish for considering that it feels like winter just ended, but it’s my favorite season. It’s a season of change and, after struggling with a lot of health issues this summer, I feel like I’m ready to move on and get my life back. It’s also been a difficult summer for the U.S. as a whole, and I can’t but hope that Americans will continue to fight against white supremacy and hate so that what happened in Charlottesville never happens again. Change is never an easy, smooth process but that is part of what makes it beautiful and worthwhile.
This gin and tonic is my attempt at creating a transitional cocktail. It’s light and refreshing enough to get us through these last, weird days of summer, but the smoked rosemary also makes it feel comforting and warm. Like slipping into your favorite sweater the moment the leaves turn and the days start getting colder.
A gin and tonic is a classic, no-fuss cocktail that is difficult to get right because of it’s simplicity. For me, it all comes down to the gin. If you start with bad gin, you will get a bad gin and tonic. In previous posts, I’ve expressed my love for The Botanist gin, which is the one I used for this particular cocktail.
I would advise you to go easy when you smoke the rosemary, or it might overpower the drink. You don’t actually have to set the rosemary sprig on fire; it’s enough to just run the flame through it a couple of times to develop the aroma. You should taste the clear, vegetable taste of the gin and get a whiff of the smoked rosemary with each sip.
I’ve seen gin and tonics presented in many different ways, but I chose to use a large wine glass to serve mine after enjoying an amazing gin and tonic made with an in-house gin at a restaurant in Stockholm at the start of the summer. They served theirs in a giant goblet (for lack of a better word), and the presentation really highlighted the simplicity of the cocktail while inviting you to take the time to sip it and taste all the intricacies of the gin.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. To change!
Smoked Rosemary Gin and Tonic
This gin and tonic is the perfect transitional cocktail between summer and fall. It’s clean and bright, with just a hint of smokiness from the rosemary.

Ingredients
- 2 oz gin (I used The Botanist)
- 4 oz tonic water
- Dash Dandelion & Burdock bitters
- One sprig of fresh rosemary
Directions
- Step 1 Fill a glass with ice.
- Step 2 Using a butane torch or a lighter, scorch the rosemary sprig over the glass with the ice. It doesn’t really need to catch fire, you just want to release some of the aroma from the rosemary and char it a bit. Set the rosemary sprig aside.
- Step 3 Add a dash of the Dandelion & Burdock bitters to the glass.
- Step 4 Pour the gin over the ice.
- Step 5 Pour the tonic water over the back of a bar spoon and into the glass with the gin to keep the tonic from foaming too much.
- Step 6 Garnish with the charred sprig of rosemary.
- Step 7 Serve immediately.
I’ve never heard of smoked rosemary but I like the thought of the taste and flavor it would add to the cocktail. I wonder what other drink it would shine in?
It also works really well in a martini.
You totally had me at smoked rosemary! My favorite herb 🙂 This looks fabilous!
Thank you, Catherine! Let me know how it turns out!
A great way to dress up a classic! Definitely love the charred rosemary as a finish.
smoked rosemary is totally new to me,its my fav herb so must give this a go,thanks for sharing
This is a perfect time to try this cocktail. Rosemary is my favorite herb but never smoked it, the first photo is so tempting I have to give this a try 🙂
Do let me know how it turns out! 🙂
I love the idea of smoked rosemary. I can’t do gin but my brother would really like this, I have to send it to him. Love your pretty glass too.
Thanks, Dahn!
This is such a cool method to give gin a rosemary flavor! I’ll have to give it a try.
Thanks, Haley! Let me know how you like it!
I love the idea of smoked rosemary, what a clever way to add a new depth of flavor!
This is a cool idea, I wonder if this would work if I put a sprig of rosemary along with some wood pellets in my smoking gun?
I don’t see why it wouldn’t. You should give it a try! 🙂
That has to be an interesting flavored in a good way with the smoked rosemary.
I love a gin and tonic to wind down at the end of the day, but I have never had a flavoured one like this. It sounds amazing.
I hope you like it! 🙂