The Hot Gin and Tonic is exactly as it sounds—the ever-popular cocktail-hour refresher retrofitted into toddy form. It debuted at London’s Ham Yard Hotel in 2015 for a Sipsmith Gin winter seasonal takeover menu and is the brainchild of master distiller/drink historian Jared Brown and the hotel’s bar manager, Eoin Kenny.

　　Brown says the concept came about as a dare. At the time, the Hot Gin & Tonic followed a series of “classic gin cocktail, but make it hot” challenge recipes that in previous seasons included steamy versions of negronis (made with red berry tea), martinis (served with a fried, breaded olive on the side), and espresso martinis, which Brown says was just a cheeky jab in memory of his dear, departed friend, the barman Dick Bradsell (inventor of the original), as it was essentially just an Irish coffee made with gin. But could a Hot G&T even be done? Would people be into it?

　　Not only could it be done, but it also seems it always should have been. Hot G&T became a winter staple at the Ham Yard and took off at other Sipsmith outdoor pop-ups, especially during the cold months of 2020 and 2021, when events could only be held outside because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brown says the drink has become an integral part of the Sipsmith distillery tour tasting room, where at least 35 are served a night, three to four nights a week.

　　The original recipe was prepared with a tonic syrup as both the essential aromatic quinine component and the sweetener. Later versions call for less tonic and a touch of simple syrup, though the sweetener can be modified according to preference.

　　This recipe was excerpted from 'Signature Cocktails' by Amanda Schuster. Buy the full book on Amazon.

　　All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

What you’ll need

　　Chevron

　　Chevron

　　Tonic Syrup

　　$28 At Amazon

　　Bar Spoon

　　$4 At Amazon

　　Glass Mugs

　　$30 $20 At Amazon

Ingredients

　　2 oz. Sipsmith London dry gin

　　½ oz. tonic syrup

　　1 tsp. simple syrup

　　Boiled water, to top

　　Orange twist, for garnish

　　Combine the gin and syrups in a heatproof mug or toddy glass. Add hot water and stir until the syrups dissolve. Garnish with an orange twist.

　　Cooks' Note

　　If more tonic flavor is desired, omit the simple syrup and add another teaspoon or so of tonic syrup.

　　Excerpted from Signature Cocktails © 2023 by Amanda Schuster. Photography © 2023 by Andy Sewell. Reproduced by permission of Phaidon. All rights reserved. Buy the full book from Amazon or Phaidon.