White port and tonic water. A refreshing aromatic drink with lemon and orange peel and mint leaves. Portugal’s answer to a Gin and Tonic.

White Port and Tonic – Portugal’s Best Export

Light and fruity, Portuguese white port works well with bitter tonic to make a refreshing aromatic drink that you can drink in any season.

White port and tonic water. A refreshing aromatic drink with lemon and orange peel and mint leaves. Portugal’s answer to a Gin and Tonic.

When we were on holiday in Portugal, we took a mini holiday within our holiday.  We visited Lisbon which was only a 3 hour drive from our villa and stayed overnight at an Airbnb right in the centre of the city which worked brilliantly.  Just like our villa, we could relax at to our own timetable and eat where and when we wanted.

I had in my sights to visit the Time Out Market food hall in Lisbon after reading about in various newspapers and magazines.  It was everything I wanted it to be.  Filled with delicious Portuguese meals cooked to order and just about every other cuisine you could think of.  I loved it and while perched on the incredibly high stools eating my dinner I actually let my legs swing like I was about 8 years old. 

Before we even decided what to eat, my husband came back to our table with a White Port & Tonic without asking.  This is one of the many reasons I love him.  While drinking the cocktail I felt it summed up Portugal in a glass.  Unexpected, aromatic and full of colour.

Here’s a video on how to make it.

White port and tonic water. A refreshing aromatic drink with lemon and orange peel and mint leaves. Portugal’s answer to a Gin and Tonic.

I’d heard of white port before but it was something reserved for after dinner drinks or special occasions but in Portugal it’s widely available and a regular on the supermarket shelves.  White Port is made from white grapes as apposed to the red grapes in ruby Port and has a lighter, nuttier and citrusier flavour.  It is delicious served chilled with almonds and cheeses after a meal.  Actually, we grazed on these all holiday long.  Don’t you just love holidays like that?

Light and fruity, Portuguese white port works well with bitter tonic to make a refreshing aromatic drink that you can drink in any season.

 

White Port and Tonic

(serves 1)
Handful of Ice cubes
50ml white port
1 large strip orange peel
1 large strip lemon peel
5 mint leaves, bruised
Tonic water

Put a handful of ice cubes in a large glass.

Pour over 50ml white port.

Add one strip of each orange and lemon peel.

Bruise the mint leaves by crushing slightly in your hand and add to the glass.

Top with tonic and stir.

White port and tonic water. A refreshing aromatic drink with lemon and orange peel and mint leaves. Portugal’s answer to a Gin and Tonic.

White port and tonic water. A refreshing aromatic drink with lemon and orange peel and mint leaves. Portugal’s answer to a Gin and Tonic.

19 Comments

  • Reply Laura 16th October 2017 at 10:14 pm

    LOVE white port and tonic. It’s so refreshing – and a lovely change from the trendy G&T

    • Reply Elinor Hill aka Beach Hut Cook 17th October 2017 at 10:30 am

      I love it’s aromatic flavour too. So in love with it and way cheaper than gin!

  • Reply Milly Youngman 19th October 2017 at 1:59 pm

    I’d never actually heard of white port – it sounds lovely though, and perfect for a refreshing cocktail!

  • Reply Isabel 19th October 2017 at 4:42 pm

    That looks incredibly refreshing. I’ve never seen whole strips of lemon peel in drinks before, but I actually think it looks way prettier than slices. 🙂

    • Reply Elinor Hill aka Beach Hut Cook 19th October 2017 at 7:24 pm

      The lemon peel release their delicious oils into the drink this way. I love it!

  • Reply Newcastle Family Life 20th October 2017 at 9:30 am

    My dad and teen have just returned from a holiday in Portugal, I have never been but I really want to after hearing how much they enjoyed it. I had never heard of white port before, it looks like a very refreshing dish x

  • Reply Stephanie Merry 20th October 2017 at 10:20 am

    I have this all the time in Portugal, it really reminds me of summers there x

  • Reply MELANIE EDJOURIAN 20th October 2017 at 11:34 am

    Clearly I have not yet live, white port??? Really I didn’t know it existed. I need to try this and get my dad to as well as I bet he will love it too. Thanks so much for sharing this I’m going to see if I can track down some white port.

  • Reply kerry norris 20th October 2017 at 12:19 pm

    That sounds very refreshing and you’re right with it summing up Portugal. I don’t think I’ve ever tried it though

  • Reply Ami Rose 20th October 2017 at 12:41 pm

    This sounds like a lovely cocktail to make. I’m sure I tried something like this when I was in Portugal a few years ago, but then what drinks didn’t I try (hehe).

    Ami xxx

  • Reply Helen 20th October 2017 at 1:47 pm

    Oo I’ll have to let my auntie know about this – she loves a classic gin and tonic, so this would be an interesting twist 🙂

  • Reply Talya 20th October 2017 at 2:02 pm

    I’ve never thought of having port and tonic and actually didn’t know that there was such a thing as white port!

  • Reply Sarah | Boo Roo and Tigger Too 20th October 2017 at 4:21 pm

    Sounds really refreshing, something I think my MIL would enjoy

  • Reply Claire 20th October 2017 at 6:41 pm

    The drinks look so refreshing! I would love to try it as I’ve never heard of this before 😛

  • Reply Emma 21st October 2017 at 9:10 am

    This sounds delicious…. perfect for a holiday cocktail!

  • Reply Francesca 21st October 2017 at 6:40 pm

    I can’t say I’ve ever heard of white port before! Wow! The white port and tonic looks fab though and I’d love to have some with cheese after a meal!! Thanks for sharing this!!

  • Reply Lindy 22nd October 2017 at 10:21 pm

    This looks so refreshing, definitely a Summer drink essential. Your photos look so good too!

    • Reply Elinor Hill aka Beach Hut Cook 23rd October 2017 at 6:31 pm

      Thanks Lindy, so kind x

  • Reply Anosa 23rd October 2017 at 6:28 pm

    I have tried white port and tonic before and I loved it for sure, loving your recipe for sure and need to try this version.

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