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    Pine Needle Gin & Tonic

    Dec 11, 2022 This post may contain affiliate links.

    Combining pine needles with gin and tonic just makes sense, as two conifers are better than one! This refreshing highball cocktail is crisp, naturally spiced and well balanced. Perfect for the holidays.

    Gin gets its distinct flavors from Juniper berries, and common juniper is an evergreen conifer. That's why it's fun to add pine needles, another species of conifer with great distinctive flavor.

    pine needle syrup 5

    Table of Contents

    • Tools you'll want to make a cocktail:
    • The pine:
    • The ingredients:
      • How to make the syrup:
    • How do you make a gin and tonic?
    • How do you serve gin and tonic?
      • Garnish a pine gin and tonic with:
    • Pine Needle Gin and Tonic
      • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • Instructions 
      • Notes
      • Nutrition

    Tools you'll want to make a cocktail:

    • Cocktail shaker - for shaking your simple syrup into your lime juice and gin
    • Cocktail jigger - for measuring in oz

    Both of these are optional, you can absolutely just pour your ingredients into a glass and stir if you don't have these on hand.

    pine needle syrup 3 1

    The pine:

    I'm surprised pine needle isn't more popular in food. There are over 100 species of pine in the world. And it's absolutely delicious. It pays homage to rosemary with hints of citrus. The needles are most flavorful when harvested in spring. And not only are they edible, they're also medicinal and rich in vitamin C. Everyone has heard of eating pine nuts, but the bark, cones and resin are also edible! And pine pollen has become quite popular in holistic medicine. If you love pine as much as we do, you may enjoy these Free Botanical Wall Art containing pine art.

    pine needle syrup 1

    The pine needles I used are from Eastern White Pine tree, foraged from upstate NY. Pine needles grow in long clusters known as fascicles, which resemble small bunches. They are usually found in groups of two to five needles. You can buy them here. If you want to go foraging for your own pine, here's a guide to do so safely. There are many benefits of drinking pine needle tea daily, and the flavor is delicious. So you may as well forage some, or grab a bag, bake up these pine needle shortbread cookies and make the syrup for a pine gin and tonic!

    The ingredients:

    Most of the work comes from making the pine needle syrup.

    Syrup ingredients:

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup dried pine needles
    • 1 vanilla bean pod, seeds extracted

    Gin and tonic ingredients:

    • 2 ounces gin
    • 1 ounce pine simple syrup
    • 4 ounces tonic water

    How to make the syrup:

    1. In a small saucepan over medium/high heat, heat the water, sugar, pine needles and vanilla beans until it comes to a simmer
    2. Stir to dissolve the sugar and continue simmering gently for 5 minutes, reduce heat and let simmer on low for an additional 5 minutes
    3. Remove from heat and let the liquid cool
    4. Lastly, strain into a jar (with an airtight lid)
    5. Let cool completely before using
    pine needle syrup 2

    How do you make a gin and tonic?

    Add your gin, pine syrup and ice into your cocktail shaker. Shake well. Strain over your glass of choice with ice. Top with tonic water. Add your garnish, and enjoy.

    How do you serve gin and tonic?

    Gin and tonics are often served in a high glass glass or rocks glass.

    pine needle syrup 1 1 rotated

    Garnish a pine gin and tonic with:

    • A dried orange slice
    • A sprig of candied rosemary or candied pine needle
    • A small candied pine cone
    short Dublin crystal glass with a large pine tree shaped ice cube with a dried orange garnish, with a black background with golden candle sticks and a bottle of syrup in the background

    Pine Needle Gin and Tonic

    All recipes by Sarah Buckley
    Combining pine needles with gin and tonic just makes sense, as two conifers are better than one! This refreshing highball cocktail is crisp, naturally spiced and well balanced. Perfect for the holidays.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Servings 1 gin and tonic
    Calories 140 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ounces gin
    • 1 ounce pine simple syrup
    • 4 ounces tonic water

    Instructions
     

    • Add your gin, pine syrup and ice into your cocktail shaker. Shake well. Strain over your glass of choice with ice. Top with tonic water. Add your garnish, and enjoy.

    Notes

    Pine Syrup ingredients:
    1 cup water
    1 cup granulated sugar
    ½ cup dried pine needles
    1 vanilla bean pod, seeds extracted
    In a small saucepan over medium/high heat, heat the water, sugar, pine needles and vanilla beans until it comes to a simmer
    Stir to dissolve the sugar and continue simmering gently for 5 minutes, reduce heat and let simmer on low for an additional 5 minutes
    Remove from heat and let the liquid cool
    Lastly, strain into a jar (with an airtight lid)
    Let cool completely before using

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 15g
    Keyword christmas gin and tonic, pine needle gin and tonic
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About sarah

    Sarah Buckley is the go-to expert for anyone looking to add some botanical flair and creativity in their kitchen. She is a master gardener, herbalist, edible flower expert, professional food photographer and recipe developer. She teaches people how to use botanicals creatively with their culinary work from the garden to table to or apothecary, ensuring they're using safe practices throughout all aspects of plant handling.

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