Ingredients
- 3 cl Gin
- 1 cl Banana Liqueur
- 1 cl Lime Syrup
- 7 cl Tonic Water
Instructions
Mix Ingredients:
- In a glass filled with ice, pour 3 cl gin, 1 cl banana liqueur, and 1 cl lime syrup. Stir to mix.
Top with Tonic:
- Top with 7 cl tonic water (such as Schweppes).
Garnish:
- Garnish with a lime slice.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Carl Johan Cocktail.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
No one's quite sure who first mixed up the Carl Johan. It doesn't appear in any dusty old cocktail books, suggesting it's a more modern invention, likely from the last few decades. It feels like a drink born in a bar experimenting with approachable, slightly unexpected flavor pairings.
This drink fits squarely in the 'gin and tonic remix' family, but with a specific, fruity deviation. It's not a direct relative of anything classic, but rather a contemporary cousin to the Gin Rickey or a Gin Fizz, where a spirit gets stretched out with soda and citrus. The banana liqueur is the wild card that separates it from the pack.
You'd order a Carl Johan when you're looking for something a bit different but still easy to drink. It's a good pick for a sunny afternoon on a patio or a relaxed evening where you want a cocktail that brings some character without being overly complex. It's for the drinker who trusts the bartender to hand them something interesting.
What it tastes like
The Carl Johan brings a bright, fruity sweetness to gin's juniper backbone. You get the aromatic lift of the gin first, quickly followed by the distinct, ripe notes of banana. The lime syrup cuts through that sweetness with a necessary tartness, while the tonic water adds its signature bitter effervescence, tying everything together into a surprisingly balanced, refreshing sip.
With 3 cl of gin at around 40% ABV and 1 cl of banana liqueur typically at 20% ABV, the base spirit content is roughly 1.4 cl of pure alcohol. Stretched out over 12 cl total volume, that puts the Carl Johan at about 11.7% ABV. It's stronger than your average light beer, more in line with a double IPA or a robust wine, so treat it with a bit of respect, even if it drinks easy.
The technique
This one's a straight-up build. Grab a highball glass, fill it to the brim with good, solid ice. Pour in your gin, banana liqueur, and lime syrup. Give it a quick, gentle stir to marry those ingredients a bit. Then, top it off with the tonic water. A lime slice for garnish, and it's out the door.
The crucial move here is the stir before the tonic. You want those initial ingredients properly chilled and integrated before the fizz hits. Don't overdo it, just enough to get them acquainted, then let the tonic do the rest of the mixing as you pour it in.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Gin
- Use
- A solid London Dry gin works best here. Think Tanqueray, Beefeater, or Plymouth. Something with a good juniper punch that can stand up to the banana.
- Skip
- Floral or overly delicate gins. They'll get lost in the shuffle. Also, skip anything too citrus-forward, as you've already got lime in the mix.
- Why
- Gin is the backbone. It provides the necessary botanical complexity and a dry counterpoint to the sweetness. Without a decent gin, the drink falls flat.
Banana Liqueur
- Use
- Look for a quality banana liqueur that tastes like actual ripe bananas, not candy. Bols or Giffard are reliable choices that deliver authentic fruit flavor.
- Skip
- Cheap, overly artificial banana liqueurs. They'll make the drink taste like a bad dessert and ruin the balance.
- Why
- This is where the Carl Johan gets its signature, unexpected twist. It brings a rich, tropical sweetness that plays surprisingly well with gin and lime.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Carl Johan Sour
- For a tangier, less bubbly take
- Skip the tonic and add 2 cl fresh lime juice and an egg white. Shake hard with ice, then strain into a chilled coupe. A different beast, but still banana-forward.
Spiced Banana Fizz
- Add a little kick and warmth
- Muddle a thin slice of fresh ginger with the lime syrup before adding other ingredients. Top with tonic and a dash of Angostura bitters for an aromatic layer.
Pineapple Johan
- Swap the tropical fruit for a different vibe
- Substitute the banana liqueur with 1 cl good quality pineapple liqueur or a splash of fresh pineapple juice. It keeps the tropical feel but changes the fruit profile.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use vodka for a cleaner, less botanical backdrop, or a light rum for a more overtly tropical feel. The banana will shine through more.
A small splash of crème de cassis or peach liqueur could offer a fruity sweetness, but it won't be the same drink. Or try a hint of spiced rum for a different kind of warmth.
Use 1 cl fresh lime juice and add 0.5 cl simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water). You'll need to balance the sweetness yourself.
Soda water will make it lighter and less bitter, turning it into more of a Gin Rickey variation. Ginger ale could work for a sweeter, spicier fizz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Carl Johan?
A Carl Johan contains gin, banana liqueur, lime syrup, and is topped with tonic water. It's garnished with a lime slice.
Is the Carl Johan sweet?
It has a noticeable sweetness from the banana liqueur and lime syrup, but the gin and tonic keep it from being cloying. It's balanced, not syrupy.
What kind of gin works best in a Carl Johan?
A classic London Dry gin is your best bet. Its robust juniper and botanical notes stand up well to the other flavors.
Can I make a Carl Johan without banana liqueur?
You can, but it won't be a Carl Johan. The banana is a defining characteristic. You could try another fruit liqueur for a similar structure but a different flavor.
Is the Carl Johan a strong drink?
At around 11.7% ABV, it's stronger than most beers but lighter than many spirit-forward cocktails. It drinks easy due to the tonic dilution.
What glass should I use for a Carl Johan?
A highball glass is the standard. It gives you plenty of room for ice and tonic, keeping the drink cold and fizzy.
What's a good occasion for a Carl Johan?
It's great for relaxed settings, like a casual brunch, an afternoon on the patio, or any time you want a refreshing, slightly adventurous long drink.
Can I pre-batch the Carl Johan?
You can pre-batch the gin, banana liqueur, and lime syrup. Just keep it chilled and add ice and tonic water right before serving.
More Like This
More drinks in the same family.
