Rosemary Gin Lemonade (London Lemonade) is a refreshing cocktail to make this summer. It comes together in under 10 minutes of active working time and is super easy to make (vegan, gluten-free).
Jump to:
About Gin Lemonade
Gin Lemonade is your regular lemonade spiked with gin.
Also known as London Lemonade, it is quick and easy to make and makes for a great summer cocktail.
I like to flavor this sweet and tart beverage with some fresh rosemary as the flavors really go well together. You can try other flavorings too.
This gin lemonade with rosemary is a perfect drink to serve for house parties or weekend barbecues on hot summer days.
My lemonade cocktail recipe makes the rosemary syrup enough for making 3-4 glasses of drink, but you can easily double or triple the recipe and make it in a large pitcher if making it for a larger crowd.
Want to try a few more cocktail recipes? Then, here are some of my favorites
- Pumpkin Spice Martini
- Spicy Watermelon Margarita
- Mango Martini
- Mango Daiquiri
- Frozen Strawberry Margarita
- Mango Mojito
- Red Wine Sangria
- Blueberry Mojito
- Watermelon Mint Mojito
Ingredients
For Rosemary Simple Syrup
You will need just 3 ingredients to make the syrup – granulated sugar, water, and fresh rosemary.
Rosemary adds a lemony pine-like flavor to the drink, which makes the cocktail very refreshing.
For The Cocktail
Other than rosemary-infused syrup, you will also need gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and club soda (soda water).
There are many premium gin that can be used to make delicious gin lemonades, but some of our favorites include Tanqueray, Tom Collins, Bombay Sapphire, and Beefeater.
If you’re looking for something a bit more unique, try using a small batch of artisanal gin, floral gin, or sparkling gin in your lemonade recipe for a truly one-of-a-kind drink.
In case you don’t have gin, you can make this drink with vodka, tequila, or bourbon.
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice to make the lemonade. If you are short on time, you can use store-bought lemonade as well. You can replace lemon juice with lime juice for a tangier drink.
You can use sparkling water or tonic water instead of soda.
For The Garnish
To make the drink look pretty, garnish it with lemon wheels and rosemary sprigs.
How To Make Rosemary Gin Lemonade
Make The Rosemary Simple Syrup
Add ½ cup water, ½ cup granulated sugar, and ¼ cup minced fresh rosemary to a saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce the heat to low and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove the pan from the heat and steep the mixture for 45 minutes.
Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a measuring cup.
Note – You can make the rosemary flavored syrup in advance and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 15 days.
This syrup is enough to make 3-4 glasses of lemonade.
Make The Cocktail
Add 3-4 ice cubes to a tall serving glass.
Stir in 2 oz (60 ml) gin, 1 oz (30 ml) rosemary syrup, and 1 oz (30 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Top the glass with club soda, and stir briefly. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and lemon wheel (or lemon twists, lemon wedge, lemon slices). Serve immediately.
Note – Add more syrup if you like your drink sweeter and add more lemon juice if you like it tangier.
Pro Tips By Neha
Although you can make this drink using readymade lemonade, I highly suggest making it fresh using freshly squeezed lemon juice. It makes a whole lot of difference in the taste.
You can use simple syrup in place of rosemary syrup to make the classic gin lemonade.
Chill the glasses for a few hours to keep your drink cooler for a longer time.
Frequently Asked Questions
First, strip the rosemary leaves off the stem. Pile the leaves together and then, using a sharp knife, start mincing them in a back-and-forth motion. Keep mincing until the leaves are as fine as you desire.
Variations
Add fresh homemade fruit juices or store-bought packaged juice for a change in flavor. You can select from orange juice, watermelon juice, pomegranate juice, or cranberry juice.
You can also add fruit purees such as strawberry puree, mango puree, pineapple puree, etc to this boozy lemonade.
Throw in some berries such as blueberry, raspberry, or strawberries. Muddle them a bit to release their flavors.
Elderflower liqueur, rose water, or orange bitter also taste great in this gin lemonade recipe.
You can replace the rosemary with mint or basil leaves.
You Might Also Like
Recipe Card
Rosemary Gin Lemonade Recipe (London Lemonade)
Ingredients
For The Rosemary Syrup
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup minced fresh rosemary
For The Cocktail
- 2 ounce gin (60 ml)
- 1 ounce rosemary syrup (30 ml)
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice (30 ml)
- club soda (as needed)
To Garnish
- rosemary sprigs
- lemon wheels
Instructions
Make The Rosemary Simple Syrup
- Add water, sugar, and minced fresh rosemary to a saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove the pan from the heat and steep the mixture for 45 minutes.
- Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a measuring cup.
- Note – You can make the rosemary flavored syrup in advance and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 15 days.
- This syrup is enough to make 3-4 glasses of lemonade.
Make The Cocktail
- Add 3-4 ice cubes to a tall serving glass.
- Stir in gin, rosemary syrup, and lemon juice.
- Top the glass with club soda, stir briefly. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and lemon wheel. Serve immediately.
- Note – Add more syrup if you like your drink sweeter and add more lemon juice if you like it tangier.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!