Chambord Gin and Tonic

There’s a version of a gin and tonic that’s just fine, and then there’s the Chambord Gin & Tonic. A splash of Chambord is all it takes to turn a classic drink into something even better: a deep berry flavor, a little sweetness, and those bubbles from the tonic that make the whole thing feel celebratory without being fussy.

What Is Chambord?

Chambord is a French black raspberry liqueur. It’s made by steeping whole raspberries and blackberries in French spirits for several weeks, then combining that infusion with cognac, Madagascar vanilla, Moroccan citrus peel, and honey. The result is rich, deeply fruity, and a little luxurious — and a little goes a long way, so one bottle will last you through a lot of cocktails. It’s delicious with gin, vodka, champagne, and dry wine. But gin is where it really shines…in my opinion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s simple. A cocktail shaker, a few ingredients, and about five minutes. That’s the whole commitment.

It’s beautiful. The berry color from the Chambord is genuinely stunning in the glass, especially with lemon and fresh raspberries or blackberries as a garnish.

It’s crowd-pleasing. This is the cocktail you make for a gathering when you want to impress without overcomplicating things.

Ingredients

Gin — a London Dry-style gin is the move here. Its botanical, slightly piney character plays perfectly against the berry sweetness of the Chambord. Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray, or Hendrick’s all work beautifully.

Chambord — the star. Don’t skip it or sub it. The raspberry and blackberry depth it adds is the whole point of this cocktail.

Fresh lemon juice — always fresh. It keeps the drink bright and balances the sweetness of the Chambord.

Simple syrup — optional, but worth having on hand. Start with a little and adjust to your preference.

Tonic water — use a good quality tonic. The bubbles are part of the experience, and a flat or low-quality tonic will flatten the whole drink.

Garnish — fresh raspberries, blackberries, or a lemon wheel. All three work. The berries make it look stunning and add a little extra fruit on the nose.

How to Make a Chambord Gin and Tonic

This is an easy recipe with a short process. Add ice, lemon juice, simple syrup, gin, and Chambord to a cocktail shaker. Shake for about 7 seconds — just until everything is chilled and combined.

Pour over fresh ice and top with tonic water. Garnish with fresh raspberries, blackberries, or a lemon wheel and serve immediately. The bubbles from the tonic will do their thing as soon as it hits the glass. Don’t stir too aggressively or you’ll lose them.

Tips for the Best Chambord Gin and Tonic

Use fresh lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice will dull the whole cocktail. Fresh makes a real difference here.

Keep your tonic cold. Pour it straight from the fridge so it stays bubbly longer in the glass.

Start light on the simple syrup. Chambord brings its own sweetness, so taste before you add more. You may not need it at all.

Go generous with the garnish. Fresh raspberries or blackberries floating in the glass make this feel intentional and special — and they’re delicious to eat at the bottom of the drink.