A gin and tonic rewards small gestures, and few are smaller or more striking than a whisper of saffron. A quarter ounce of saffron syrup warms the juniper with honeyed depth, while a few threads floated on the surface release slow ribbons of gold as the ice settles. It is the easiest way to make the first drink of the evening feel like an occasion.
At a glance
Serves 1
Prep 5 min
Saffron: 5 threads (≈0.02 g)
Ingredients
- 2 oz floral gin (Hendrick's, Monkey 47, or similar)
- 4 oz quality tonic water
- 1/4 oz saffron simple syrup
- Wide strip lemon peel
- Wide strip orange peel
- 5 Raihan Afghan Super Negin saffron threads
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill a large wine glass with ice.
- Add gin and saffron syrup. Stir.
- Top with tonic.
- Express lemon and orange peels over the glass. Drop in.
- Float saffron threads on top.
Chef's note
Let the syrup carry the flavor and keep the floated threads purely for the finish — add them just before serving so they perfume the first sip, then trail thin lines of gold through the glass as they steep. Genuine saffron colors the drink gradually, not all at once.
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