With sorbet and tonic, this Blood Orange Cocktail with gin is refreshing and delicious. It’s a boozy float perfect to serve any time of year and it’s ready in just minutes!
Even though I’m not a fan of tonic, I love this drink. Sure, I’ll sip a Blackberry Gin and Tonic from time to time. But since I have a sweet tooth (boy, do I love my desserts!) I much prefer a spiked float!
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A super refreshing Blood Orange Cocktail
Oh yeah. This cocktail is the perfect combination of a gin and tonic and blood orange sorbet float!
The blood orange sorbet adds such a nice sweetness and is a nice compliment to the herbal notes of the gin.
This sorbet cocktail is perfect for spring, would fit perfectly in at Easter Brunch, but work just as well in the evening as a before-dinner drink.
Yes, I said before dinner. Sorbet is acceptable any time of day, don’t you know.
And while it’s great in summer on a hot day, you really can drink this any time of year. It’s one of my favorite cocktails to make for friends.
And, of course, you can make this into a mocktail if you prefer. Just leave the gin out! Or use non-alcoholic gin like I did in my Non-Alcoholic Gin and Tonic.
Ingredients
Just a few ingredients and a few minutes is all you need to make this gin float.
Scroll down to the end of the post for a printable recipe card with full measurements and more detailed instructions.
- your favorite gin
- tonic
- blood orange sorbet
- Meyer lemon, juiced
- fresh rosemary
- Club Soda, to top off the drink, if desired
Gin has flavors of herbs and juniper and I think it goes best with the rest of the flavors in this drink. But you could use vodka if you wanted.
I used Jack Rudy tonic syrup, but you can use any other brand. I like the branding and wanted to try this out but it is harder to find. It’s more like a syrup that you pair with club soda for the fizz.
If you use regular tonic, you can probably skip the club soda noted above. Just give it a taste and make that determination.
Blood orange sorbet can be hard to find also, so if you want to substitute you could use any other citrus or even raspberry would be tasty.
I always favor Meyer lemons if they are around as they smell RIDICULOUSLY good and are a bit of a sweeter flavor than a traditional lemon. But a regular old lemon would be fine.
While I just used the rosemary as a garnish, you can muddle it if you want to infuse the drink with even more flavor.
The addition of the fizz from club soda makes it extra refreshing in my opinion and makes it a bit more like an ice cream float.
How to make Blood Orange Gin and Tonic Float
1. Add a scoop of blood orange sorbet
You can make this drink in a small or tall glass. Since there is gin in this cocktail, you may want to start small.
And as I said before, if you can’t find blood orange sorbet, use whatever flavor you want. You could even do rainbow sherbet if you wanted!
2. Add juice of half a Meyer lemon
For real. When you smell this, you will never go back to regular lemons again. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best! (This is my favorite citrus squeezer!)
3. Add gin, tonic and club soda
As I mentioned before, you can use regular tonic and you may not need additional club soda.
4. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary
These ingredients (especially the sorbet!) make this cocktail great for serving at Easter brunch, Mother’s Day, bridal showers and any girl’s night in!
Frequently Asked Questions
As blood orange is a citrus, you can pair it with anything that you would typically pair with other citrus such as spices like cinnamon. It also goes really well with tequila, vodka and just about any other liquor.
Blood orange is similar to oranges but with less bold flavor. It also leans a little towards grapefruit. I would say it’s refreshing in cocktails but the real selling point is the cool color it gives.
This drink is just so pretty, right? And I love how you get that amazing whiff of fresh rosemary as you bring the drink to your lips.
Related Recipes
- Beer Floats are a fun way to enjoy beer, just make sure you find a stout with chocolate undertones.
- This 7Up Pineapple Rum Float is tropical in flavor and so yummy!
- This Champagne Float with Strawberry Lemonade is another fruity drink that’s delicious to stip on a warm day.
- This Tea Cocktail with Gin is super refreshing and one you will crave!
- A refreshing Grapefruit Vodka Tonic is a simple cocktail you need to try.
Or see my collections of Easy Cocktails, Moscow Mule Variations, Vodka Cocktails, Tequila Mixed Drinks and Wine Cocktails.
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Gin Float with Blood Orange Sorbet
Ingredients
Instructions
- To a cocktail glass, add one scoop of your favorite sorbet.
- Add gin and tonic syrup.
- Top off with soda water.
- Take rosemary sprig in your hand give it a clap to release some oils.
- Add rosemary sprig to glass and use it to stir.
- Continue to stir as the sorbet melts to add more herb flavor.
Notes
Nutrition
This gin sorbet cocktail was originally posted on April 1, 2014. It’s been updated to include better instructions for making at home.
Lokness @ The Missing Lokness says
This float looks and sounds absolutely amazing! The pictures are stunning too. My husband and I love St. George gin! I am going to make this! Thank you for sharing!
Sharon Garofalow says
Thanks for your comments! Your site is gorgeous and your food sounds super yummy!
Summer says
Have you tried the kina tonic? It’s my particular favorite. I think it can even be purchased on amazon.
Sharon Garofalow says
No I haven’t but I will look for it! Thank you!
Summer says
It has an orange taste to it so I have a feeling you will like it.
Malia says
I’m a little obsessed with blood oranges right now and THIS is right up my alley! Can’t wait to try it!
Sharon Garofalow says
I hope you like it!!
Melissa says
This looks and sounds amazing!