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?
📖 Recipe
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.
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.
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! 🙂
Sara (Belly Rumbles) says
Perfect recipe for me to make on Fathers' Day for my dad, he loves a good G&T 🙂
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
What a fun idea! I'd make a kir royale into a dessert.
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?
muppy says
they look so lovely, yum!
Richa says
you had me at gin and tonic!