Try Adding Kaffir Lime Leaf To Your Next Gin and Tonic (Recipe)

The kaffir lime leaf adds an amazing flavor profile to cocktails, especially the classic gin and tonic! Here's a recipe (or two) you totally need to try!

If you love finding new ways to dress up a classic gin and tonic, you need to check out the kaffir lime leaf. Makrut limes grow in Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia, and their leaves are considered an essential ingredient for any kitchen.

Scoring some of these leaves will take your personal or professional bar to the next level. Keep reading for some ways to make a makrut leaf G&T!

Infuse Gin with the Kaffir Leaf

One of the most delicious ways to make a makrut leaf G&T is by infusing the gin with the leaves. This is the number one way to maximize the floral, aromatic flavor of the leaves in your cocktail.

Take one cup of frozen or fresh kaffir leaves and fold or roll them. This will help release the flavor. Then stuff them into a bottle of your favorite gin. 

You may have to pour some gin out in order to get them to all fit. That's okay. Give the bottle a good shake and let it sit for three days.

Now you have kaffir infused gin, and you can use it for a classic G&T recipe:

Fill a glass halfway with ice.

Add two ounces of kaffir lime infused gin.

Fill to the top with your favorite tonic water.

Garnish with some fresh kaffir leaves and lime wedges. Enjoy!

Make a Kaffir Leaf Simple Syrup

We all know someone who likes their G&T on the sweet side! If that's you, you may enjoy making a makrut leaf simple syrup:

Take 1/4 cup of kaffir lime leaves and chop them coarsely to release their flavor. 

In a pan, combine 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water. Add the chopped kaffir leaves. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.

Take it off the heat and let it cool. Pour the mixture through a strainer into a sealable container. Now you have kaffir leaf simple syrup that you can use for up to one month!

To make a G&T with kaffir leaf simple syrup:

Fill a glass halfway with ice.

Add two ounces of gin.

Add one ounce of kaffir leaf simple syrup.

Fill to the top with tonic water.

Garnish with some fresh kaffir leaves and lime wedges. Enjoy!

Short on Time?

Let's say you want a makrut leaf G&T but don't have time to infuse your gin or make a simple syrup. What now?

You can always muddle the lime leaves and achieve a delicious result.

Coarsely chop a handful of kaffir leaves and muddle them in a cocktail shaker. Let them sit with 2 ounces of gin for a few minutes. Then strain the gin and add it to some tonic water and ice.

It's not quite as flavorful, but it will still be delicious! Don't forget the garnish.

Dress Up Your G&T

The gin and tonic is a classic cocktail that you can easily personalize as a delicious lime cocktail. And if you've been looking for some inspiration, the kaffir lime leaf is the answer you've been waiting for. Try one of the above recipes and let us know what you think!

For fresh lime leaves for sale, check out our fresh kaffir lime leaves here!