Description
A bright, herbal, and sophisticated cocktail featuring London Dry gin, crisp apple slices, and fresh sage, topped with quality tonic water for a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz London Dry Gin
- 4–5 oz Quality Tonic Water
- 1 medium crisp apple (e.g., Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith), sliced
- 3–4 fresh sage leaves
- 1 lime or lemon wedge
- Large ice cubes
- Optional: 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Optional: Blood orange slices
Instructions
- Chill a highball or Collins glass in the freezer for 10 minutes or fill with ice water while prepping.
- Slice the apple into thin rounds or wedges and rinse the sage leaves.
- Add 3-4 slices of apple and 3-4 sage leaves to the bottom of the chilled glass.
- Gently muddle the apple and sage using the back of a spoon or muddler to release juices and oils; press 3-4 times without pureeing.
- Fill the glass with large ice cubes.
- Pour in 2 oz of gin over the ice.
- Slowly top with 4-5 oz of tonic water, pouring down the side of the glass or over the back of a spoon to preserve carbonation.
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh sage and an apple slice on the rim.
- Squeeze a lime or lemon wedge over the top for brightness.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon to mix and serve immediately.
Notes
Use fresh sage for the best aromatic flavor; dried sage can taste dusty. Do not over-muddle the apple and sage to avoid bitterness. Use premium tonic water for a better balance of sweetness and bitterness. Chill the glass beforehand to keep the drink cold longer. If the apple is not sweet enough, add a splash of simple syrup.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Cocktails
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink in a highbal
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
Keywords: autumn cocktail, gin and tonic, apple sage drink, fall recipes, easy cocktails, seasonal drinks, herbal cocktails