Gin Garnish

A carefully selected gin garnish not only adds visual appeal but can also enhance the flavour profile of the gin itself, bringing out its unique botanicals and aromas.

Adding the perfect garnish to your gin can make all the difference in taking your drink from ordinary to extraordinary.

Whether it’s a slice of citrus to balance out the bitterness of a dry gin or a sprig of herbs to complement the earthy notes of a Mediterranean gin, the right garnish can elevate your G & T to new heights.

Why Try Different Garnishes?

Experimenting with different garnishes is a fun and creative way to discover new flavour combinations and add a personal touch to your drink. So, why settle for a plain old gin and tonic when you can have a perfectly garnished one?

From classic combinations to innovative pairings, we’re showcasing 37+ gin garnishes and garnish pairs that are sure to elevate your gin-drinking experience.

So, grab your favourite bottle of gin, your favourite tonic water and let’s dive into the world of garnishes.

Best Garnish For Gin

Gin Garnish	Advantages
Apple slices	Adds crispness and a hint of sweet
Basil	Adds a savoury element
Beetroot	A unique earthy flavour and beautiful colour
Blackberries	Tart flavour and vibrant colour
Black peppercorns	Add a spicy kick
Butterfly pea flower	A beautiful colour-changing effect
Carrot	A slightly sweet and earthy flavour
Celery	Refreshing garnish and a cool crunch!
Chilli	Add a spicy note
Citrus peel	Bright and zesty flavour
Cucumber	Refreshing garnish that can add a crisp and clean taste
Edible flowers	Delicate and floral flavour
Fennel	Sightly sweet and liquorice-like flavour
Ginger	Adds warmth and spice
Grapefruit	Bright and tangy flavour
Grapefruit sorbet	A unique and delicious garnish
Grapes	Sweet and juicy flavour
Green beans	Slightly savoury and crisp flavour
Juniper berries	Slightly spicy and piney flavour
Kiwi	Sweet and tart
Lemon	A nice citrus pop
Lemon balm leaves	Sweet and citrusy
Lemon verbena leaves	Add a bright and lemony vibe
Lime	Probably Australia's most popular garnish for gin. Adds a citrus zing.
Mint	Freshness
Olive oil	Luxurious mouth feel
Orange twist	Provides elegance with citrus vibe
Pear	Slightly sweet and crisp flavour
Pineapple	Adds a tropical vibe
Pink peppercorns	Adds warmth and length
Radish slices	Spice and heat
Raspberry	Tartness
Rosemary	Fragrant and herbal notes
Sage	Slightly earthy and herbaceous
Smoked salmon	A salty and savoury flavour
Star anise	Adds spice and a liquorice vibe
Strawberry	Sweet and fruity flavour
Thyme	Herbaceous and earthy notes
Watermelon	A fun, summery garnish
Wildflower honey	Adds sweetness and a floral vibe
Woodruff	Slightly sweet and vanilla-like flavour
Yuzu	Bright and tangy flavour

Apple slices

Apples can add a crisp and slightly sweet flavour to gin drinks and make for an aesthetically pleasing garnish.

Basil

Basil is a herbaceous garnish for gin that adds a unique and savoury element when used. Its flavour is a perfect complement to the juniper notes in gin, making it a popular garnish choice. The bright green leaves of basil also add a touch of visual appeal, making them look as good as they taste.

Beetroot

Beetroot adds an earthy flavour and beautiful colour to gin drinks. It’s a great way to experiment with unexpected ingredients.

Blackberries

Blackberries are a popular gin garnish due to their tart flavour and vibrant colour. They add a refreshing and fruity note to a G & T, especially when ripe and in season. They also add an eye-catching pop of colour.

Black peppercorns

Black peppercorns can add a spicy kick and complement the botanicals in gin, making it an unexpected but delicious garnish option.

Butterfly pea flower

Provides a beautiful colour-changing effect when mixed with tonic water. It’s a unique way to add some flair to your gin.

Carrot

Carrots add a slightly sweet and earthy flavour to gin drinks and provide an interesting twist on traditional garnish options.

Celery

Celery is a refreshing garnish that can add a subtle but distinctive flavour to gin drinks, as well as a satisfying crunch.

Chilli

Chilli peppers can add a spicy kick to gin drinks, making them a great option for those who like a bit of heat.

Citrus peel

Citrus peels can add a bright and zesty flavour to gin drinks, as well as a beautiful aroma on the nose.

Coconut

Coconut can add a tropical and creamy flavour to gin drinks, making it a great garnish for those looking for a bit of island flair.

Cucumber

Cucumber is a refreshing garnish that can add a crisp and clean taste to gin drinks, making it a popular option for summer sipping. It pairs well with Hendricks gin.

Edible flowers (lavender, pansies, violets)

Edible flowers add a delicate and floral flavour to gin drinks, as well as a stunning visual appeal.

Fennel

Fennel can add a slightly sweet and liquorice-like flavour to gin drinks, making it an interesting and unexpected garnish option.

Ginger

Ginger adds a warm and spicy flavour to gin drinks, as well as providing some digestive benefits. Ginger is often used as a botanical in gin itself, as the heat tends to add a bit of length (long lasting mouth feel) to the gin.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit can add a bright and tangy flavour to gin drinks, making them a great option for those who love a citrusy twist.

Grapefruit sorbet

Grapefruit sorbet is a unique and delicious garnish that can add a sweet and refreshing flavour to gin drinks. A little bit whacky, but all you need is a teaspoon of it. Give it a go!

Grapes

Grapes can add a sweet and juicy flavour to gin drinks, as well as providing an elegant and colourful garnish.

Green beans

Green beans add a slightly savoury and crisp flavour to gin drinks, as well as providing an interesting visual element.

Juniper berries

Juniper berries complement the botanicals in gin and can add a slightly spicy and piney flavour to gin and tonics.

Kiwi

Kiwi adds a sweet and tart flavour to gin drinks and provides a tropical and refreshing garnish option.

Lemon

Probably in the top handful of garnishes used, largely because most people have lemon sitting around at home. They’re easy to come across. They do add a nice citrus pop to gin when used as a garnish, The trick is to only use a small wedge – no need to over do it.

Lemon balm leaves

Lemon balm leaves can add a slightly sweet and citrusy flavour to gin drinks, as well as providing a fresh and aromatic garnish.

Lemon verbena leaves

Lemon verbena leaves add a bright and lemony vibe to your gin and tonic, as well as being a fresh and aromatic garnish.

Lime

Probably Australia’s most popular garnish for gin. Like Lemon, it’s something that is often in the house so it’s become a bit of a go-to option. Not that it’s a bad thing – lime works amazing with most gins. The key here is to go with just s small wedge.. Enough to add a pop of citrus flavour, but not so much that it out-shines the gin flavour itself.

Mint

Mint is a great option for a a refreshing burst that can give you a flavour reminiscent of a mojitos. Its bright green colour and distinct aroma also make it a popular choice for garnishing classic gin and tonics and adding a touch of sophistication.

Olive oil

A couple drops of olive oil can add a smooth and savoury flavour, as well as a luxurious mouth feel. Go easy though, you need just a couple drops tops.

Orange twist

Orange is a classic garnish that adds a citrusy aroma and flavour to gin-based cocktails. A twist of orange peel can be used to create an elegant garnish for a classic gin martini or a simple gin and tonic, while a slice of orange is often added to more complex cocktails to enhance their flavour and appearance.

Pear

Pear slices can add a slightly sweet and crisp flavour to gins, as well as a unique and unexpected garnish.

Pineapple

Pineapple chunks can add a tropical and sweet flavour to gins, as well as being a fun and festive garnish.

Pink peppercorns

Pink peppercorns can add a slightly sweet and floral flavour to gin drinks, as well as a beautiful and delicate garnish.

Radish slices

Radish slices can add a slightly spicy and refreshing flavour to gin drinks, as well as providing a colourful and crunchy garnish.

Raspberry

Raspberries are a versatile garnish that throw off a sweet and slightly tart flavour. Like blackberries, their colour also adds a pop of visual appeal to take your gin and tonic to the next level.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a popular garnish, adding a fragrant and herbal note to the drink. Its woody and earthy flavour profile complements the botanicals in gin and enhances its overall complexity.

Sage

Sage can add a slightly earthy and herbaceous flavour to gin drinks, as well as a rustic and aromatic garnish.

Smoked salmon

Smoked salmon can add a salty and savoury flavour to gin drinks, as well as a unique and luxurious garnish.

Star anise

Star anise can add a warm and slightly sweet flavour to gin drinks, as well as a stunning and exotic garnish.

Strawberry

Strawberry fans can add a beautiful and impressive garnish to gin drinks, as well as a sweet and fruity flavour.

Thyme

Thyme is a popular garnish for gin that adds a unique and refreshing aroma and flavour to the drink. Its herbaceous and earthy notes complement the botanicals in the gin, creating a perfect balance of flavours.

Watermelon

Watermelon can add a sweet and juicy flavour to gin drinks, as well as a fun and summery garnish.

Wildflower honey

A drizzle of wildflower honey can add a sweet and floral flavour to gin drinks, as well as a luxurious and indulgent touch.

Woodruff

Woodruff can add a slightly sweet and vanilla-like flavour to gin drinks, as well as a unique and interesting garnish.

Yuzu

Yuzu can add a bright and tangy flavour to gin drinks, as well as a fun and citrusy garnish.

Best Gin and Tonic Garnish Combos

 

Thyme and Grapefruit:

A combination of thyme and grapefruit can add a fresh and bright flavour to gins.

Rosemary and Grapefruit

A combination of rosemary and grapefruit can add a unique and refreshing flavour to gins, as well as providing a fragrant and beautiful garnish.

Lemon and Rosemary

The sharpness of the lemon complements the herbaceous nature of gin, while the earthy aroma of rosemary brings out botanical flavours.

Cucumber and Rosemary

The crispness of cucumber adds a refreshing touch to the herbal flavours of gin and the rosemary is a great enhancer for savoury style gins.

Orange and Clove

The citrusy sweetness of orange works well with gin, while the pungent, woody aroma of cloves provides a fantastic depth of flavour.

Lime and Basil

The zesty, citrusy taste of lime is a perfect match for the herbaceous nature of gin. The sweet, fragrant aroma of basil adds a layer of complexity to your drink.

Strawberry and Black Pepper

The sweet, juicy taste of strawberries complements the botanical notes of gin whilst the spicy heat of black pepper adds a hint of complexity and extra length.

Apple and Cinnamon

The sweet, tangy taste of apple enhances the fruity flavours in gin. The warm, spicy aroma of cinnamon adds a layer of depth and complexity as well.

Summing Up

Overall, garnishes can add a variety of flavours, aromas, and visual appeal to gin drinks.

From classic citrus twists to unexpected ingredients like beetroot or smoked salmon, there are endless possibilities for creative and delicious garnishes.

Experimenting with different garnishes can add an exciting element to gin drinks and provide a unique experience for each sip.

Published Mar 09, 2023

Categorized as Blog