Ingredients
- 100 ml Tonic Water
- 30 ml Gin
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- Sugar
Instructions
- Pour the tonic into a plastic container and put it in the freezer.
- When the tonix is completely frozen, crush it with a spoon, add it to a martini glass
- Add the lemon juice and gin.
Garnish
- Pour the sugar into a shallow dish. Rub the edge of the glass with lemon juice, then put the moistened edge into the sugar. Leave it to dry.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Winter is coming cocktail is a modern creation, explicitly tied to the popular fantasy series Game of Thrones. It emerged from fan culture and themed bars looking to offer a refreshing, icy drink that played on the show’s iconic tagline. It’s less about a specific historical bar and more about pop culture influence.
At its core, this is a frozen gin and tonic with a lemon twist. It sits in the family of slushie cocktails, similar to a Frozen Margarita or a blended Daiquiri, but with the distinct bitterness of tonic water and the botanical notes of gin. What separates it is the pre-freezing of the tonic, which gives it a unique texture rather than just blending ice.
You’d typically find this served at a Game of Thrones viewing party, a summer backyard BBQ where novelty drinks are welcome, or perhaps a themed pop-up bar. It’s a party drink, not something you’d usually order at a classic cocktail lounge.
What it tastes like
The first sip delivers a bracing cold hit, immediately followed by the crisp, bitter quinine of tonic water. Mid-palate, the gin’s juniper and botanical notes emerge, intertwined with a sharp, refreshing tartness from the lemon juice. The finish is clean, cold, and slightly sweet from the sugar rim, leaving a lingering botanical freshness.
With 30ml of gin (typically 40% ABV) in a total liquid volume of approximately 145ml (100ml tonic, 30ml gin, plus about 15ml lemon juice), this drink clocks in around 8-9% ABV. This makes it roughly equivalent to a strong beer, but significantly lighter than many spirit-forward classic cocktails. It’s built for refreshment, not a heavy hit.
The technique
Building this drink involves some foresight. Start by freezing your tonic water solid in a plastic container. Once it’s a block of ice, gently crush it to a slushy consistency and transfer it to a chilled martini glass. Then, pour in your gin and fresh lemon juice, stirring briefly to combine everything. A sugar rim is applied to the glass before adding the frozen tonic.
The most crucial technique here is the pre-freezing and crushing of the tonic water. Simply blending ice with tonic and spirits dilutes the drink too much and doesn’t achieve the same intense flavor and texture. Freezing the tonic itself preserves the quinine bite and provides that unique, almost granular slush consistency, making the drink genuinely ‘icy’ without becoming watery.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Gin
- Use
- A classic London Dry like Tanqueray or Beefeater works perfectly for its juniper-forward profile. For something a little softer, a modern botanical gin like Hendrick’s can also be interesting.
- Skip
- Avoid cheap well gin, which can taste harsh, or overly sweet flavored gins that will clash with the tonic’s bitterness and the drink’s refreshing intent.
- Why
- Gin provides the essential botanical backbone and boozy kick. Without it, you just have a lemon tonic slushie, missing the complexity and adult character of the cocktail.
Tonic Water
- Use
- Premium tonic waters like Fever-Tree or Q Tonic will make a noticeable difference with their balanced quinine bitterness and natural sweetness. Standard brands are fine, but quality shows.
- Skip
- Sweetened sodas or artificial-tasting diet tonics. These will either make the drink cloyingly sweet or introduce an unpleasant chemical aftertaste that ruins the refreshment.
- Why
- Tonic water is the defining ingredient of this drink, providing its characteristic bitter quinine flavor and effervescence (even if frozen, the flavor profile remains). It’s what makes it a ‘G&T’ spin.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
White Walker
- Minty fresh version
- Add a small splash of creme de menthe or muddle a few fresh mint leaves with the lemon juice for a cooling, herbal twist.
Dragon’s Breath
- A touch of heat
- Muddle a very thin slice of jalapeño or a dash of a spicy tincture with the lemon juice before adding it to the glass for a subtle, warming kick.
Night’s Watch Negroni
- Bitter and boozy
- Introduce a small dash of Campari or Aperol along with the gin and lemon juice. This adds an extra layer of herbal bitterness and a hint of orange.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Vodka works as a spirit base, but you’ll lose the characteristic botanical notes that define the drink. It will be cleaner, but less complex.
Sparkling water with a squeeze of lime and a dash of Angostura bitters can mimic some of the dryness, but the quinine bitterness will be absent.
Lime juice is a good direct swap for tartness, offering a slightly different citrus profile that still works well with gin and tonic.
A chilled coupe or even a short tumbler will do the job. The presentation won’t be as elegant, but the drink will taste the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Winter is coming cocktail?
The Winter is coming cocktail contains gin, tonic water, lemon juice, and optionally, sugar for a rim.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can freeze the tonic water well in advance. However, mix the gin and lemon juice with the crushed tonic right before serving to ensure the best flavor and texture.
What kind of gin works best?
A classic London Dry gin is ideal for its prominent juniper and botanical notes. A more floral or citrus-forward gin could also be interesting, depending on your preference.
Why freeze the tonic water separately?
Freezing the tonic water creates a perfectly slushy texture without diluting the drink. If you just blended ice, the drink would become watery and lose its intense tonic flavor.
Is this drink very strong?
The Winter is coming cocktail is moderately strong, typically around 8-9% ABV. It’s comparable to a strong beer and is designed for refreshment rather than a heavy alcohol hit.
Can I use diet tonic water?
You can use diet tonic water, but be aware that it might alter the flavor profile and mouthfeel. Some diet tonics can taste artificial, which might detract from the drink’s quality.
What’s the best way to crush the frozen tonic?
For a coarser slush, a spoon or muddler works. For a finer, more uniform slush, break the frozen tonic into smaller chunks and pulse it briefly in a blender or food processor.
Can I add other fruits?
Absolutely. Muddled cucumber slices can add a refreshing note, or a small amount of berry puree could introduce a fruity twist to the drink.
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