Can't choose between a cocktail and dessert? Well, you can have both with these Gin and Tonic Tarts!
This fun adults-only twist on a lemon tart is as delicious as it sounds. And if you don't like Gin don't be put off because the Gin flavour is quite subtle. In fact, if you love lemon tarts these tarts deliver in a double whammy with both a beautiful lemon filling and a tangy Gin, lemon and tonic syrup. Having said that though the tarts are not overwhelmingly zingy, so if you like a really tangy lemon tart feel free to kick up the quota of lemon juice and zest.
For the Gin portion of this recipe feel free to use your favourite Gin, I used Beefeater which is what I had on hand, however I feel that Bombay Sapphire would work best in this recipe as the herbal notes would add an extra dimension.
So tell me, what cocktail would you like to make into a dessert?
Gin and Tonic Tarts - lemon tarts with gin and tonic syrup
Ingredients
- PASTRY
- 200 g of plain flour sifted, all purpose
- ¼ cup of icing sugar sifted, 35g
- 75 g of chilled unsalted butter chopped into cubes
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1 egg yolk
- ¼ cup of cold tonic water 60ml
- TART FILLING
- 2 eggs
- 150 mls of cream
- 80 g of caster sugar
- zest of 1 lemon
- juice of 2-3 lemons to 100ml
- 30 ml of Gin
- GIN & TONIC SYRUP
- 75 g of caster sugar
- 125 ml of tonic water
- thinly paired zest of 1 lemon
- juice of 1 lemon
- 30 ml of Gin
- 3 juniper berries lightly bruised
Instructions
- Start by making the pastry. In the bowl of a food processor add the flour and icing sugar and process to combine. Add the lemon zest and butter and pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and tonic water and process until the mixture starts to come together. Remove from the food processor and wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 180 celsius (355 Fahrenheit) and lightly grease 8 10cm loose bottom mini tart tins. Roll out the pastry until roughly 5mm thick and then cut circles from the pastry that are 2 cm larger in diameter than the tart tin. Line the each tart tin and trim excess. Chill for 15 minutes before lining with baking paper and filling with pastry weights. Bake for 10 minutes before removing the weights and baking for a further 5 minutes or until dry and lightly golden. Set aside to cool.
- For the filling whisk together the eggs, caster sugar, lemon zest and juice. Add the cream and gin and whisk until combined. Carefully divide the filling between the mini tarts and bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until the filling is just set. Set aside to cool.
- While the tarts are baking prepare the syrup. Place the caster sugar, tonic water and lemon juice in a saucepan over a low heat and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the gin and juniper berries and zest and bring to the boil and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Serve the tarts with a dollop of cream and a drizzle of syrup.
Notes
2. I find the best way to trim the pastry for the tarts is to use a rolling pin and roll over the top of the tarts and the excess will come away easily.
Richa says
you had me at gin and tonic!
muppy says
they look so lovely, yum!
Mariette says
Oh my, oh my! These little tarts look absolutely devine! I'm not realy a gin fan, but you have just persuaded me! My husband would love these, so I'm going to surprize him!
I love Strawberry Daquiries and Margarithas! What would you make with them in mind?
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
What a fun idea! I'd make a kir royale into a dessert.
Sara (Belly Rumbles) says
Perfect recipe for me to make on Fathers' Day for my dad, he loves a good G&T 🙂
Moya says
Love the photographs Jennifer, not a fan of gin but would be very happy to sit down and have your take on a gin and tonic... delicious! A Pina Colada would be also nice made into a dessert! You must be super excited about your very special day coming up! 🙂
Jenny says
My mum would love these, gin and tonic s her favourite drink - I might treat her to some of these next time I'm home.
I'm really into cocktail cupcakes at the moment, my last ones were Cosmo cupcakes and they were very tasty indeed.
Kankana says
I love anything citrusy and lemon .. oh yeah! I got to make this for some party. With gin in it .. people will love it 🙂
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking says
Gin and tonic was my favorite drink in my collage years, oh, so many memories.
These tart are so pretty Jennifer. going on my must-baking list!
suzanne Perazzini says
I would use rum to make a dessert. It is already naturally sweet and I love the caramel flavour.
lizzie - strayed from the table says
I think Pim's & lemonade could work.
Natalie says
Umm, you say to add the cream and Gin to the filling.....how much cream? Unless I have been taste testing too much Gin, I can't seem to find the cream in the ingredients!LOL! I just added 200ml...I hope that's not too much. I've decided to call mine Dirty little tarts! Thanks!
Jennifer says
Hi Natalie,
Sorry I omitted that. It's 150 mls of cream. I hope you enjoy them! 😀
kyleen says
This little tart looks delectable! I wish I were old enough to drink slash buy gin so I could make this!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
What a gorgeous idea Jennifer! And perfect for that dinner party of that sparkling afternoon tea too! 😉
Hotly Spiced says
What a fun name for a dessert. And these looks so perfect. I bet they have an amazing flavour xx
thelittleloaf says
This is such a fun idea! I love lemon tart, but can imagine the gin and tonic give this an extra special tang. Very cool 🙂
Amy says
What beautiful photos ... so fresh and inviting. I'd like to turn Baileys into a dessert. Mmmm.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I love a gin and tonic in a glass so a tart would make it even better. I could have something in both hands! They look so pretty.
Choc Chip Uru says
What a gorgeous tart 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Amy says
Gin + tonic + pastry = a match made in heaven!
These look absolutely beautiful, and so worthy for a cocktail party 🙂
Amy @ fragrantvanillacake says
These sound wonderful! I love the idea of gin and tonic tarts with citrus! Yum :)!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Your lemon tarts themselves already look delicious and your twist with gin and tonic on these make it even better! I think all the adults will be hogging up these delicious goodness!! 😀
Jean (Lemons and Anchovies) says
Jennifer, these are brilliant! I love the gin and tonic idea with a lemony base. These are just perfect. 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
What a fun twist on the classic lemon tart, these are just beautiful!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Gin and tonic tarts?!? Cheers to the deliciousness 🙂
Russell van Kraayenburg says
What an incredible tart idea!! And they're so pretty too.
Amanda says
Oh, I do love the idea of these, but I reckon Brandy Alexanders would make a pretty great tart too.
Anne says
These look absolutely delicious! I make the usual lemon tarts but these are that extra bit special! Thanks for a great blog!
Jennifer says
You're welcome Anne 😀
Lizzy (Good Things) says
I'll be right over!
Rosa says
Delicious tarts! A very original flavor.
Cheers,
Rosa
Erin @ she cooks, she gardend says
Oh my, these sound excellent. Gin and tonic is my drink of choice so these will go down a treat. I reckon a pina colada cupcake would be awesome, too.
Jennifer says
Mmm pina colada cupcakes sound fantastic Erin 😀 Great idea 😉
Joanne T Ferguson says
YUM! Definitely on the list to do!
Thanks for inspiring me with that next entertaining recipe! WHOO HOO!