Gin cocktails offer a world of flavors to explore. From classic drinks to modern creations, there’s something for every taste.
These mixed drinks showcase gin’s unique botanical profile and versatility.
You’ll find a wide range of gin cocktails to suit different occasions and preferences. Some are light and refreshing, perfect for warm days. Others are rich and complex, ideal for sipping slowly.
Gin pairs well with many ingredients, allowing for endless creative combinations in cocktails.
1. Tom Collins
The Tom Collins is a classic gin cocktail that’s refreshing and easy to make. You’ll need gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda.
To make one, fill a tall glass with ice. Add 1.5 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of lemon juice, and 0.5 ounce of simple syrup.
Stir the ingredients well. Top off the glass with club soda and give it a gentle stir.
For a nice touch, garnish with a lemon slice or cherry.
This drink is perfect for warm days. Its light, citrusy flavor makes it a crowd-pleaser. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less syrup to suit your taste.
2. Negroni
The Negroni is a classic gin cocktail that’s easy to make at home. You’ll need equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
To make a Negroni, fill a mixing glass with ice. Add 1 ounce each of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds until it’s well-chilled.
Strain the drink into a rocks glass filled with ice. For a fancy touch, use one large ice cube instead of smaller ones.
Garnish your Negroni with an orange peel. Twist the peel over the drink to release its oils, then drop it in. This adds a nice citrus aroma to your cocktail.
3. Gin and Tonic
The Gin and Tonic is a classic cocktail that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion. You’ll need gin, tonic water, ice, and a lime wedge for garnish.
Start by filling a glass with ice cubes. Pour 2 ounces of gin over the ice.
Add 4-6 ounces of tonic water, depending on how strong you like your drink.
Gently stir the mixture to combine the ingredients. Squeeze a lime wedge into the drink and drop it in for extra flavor.
You can adjust the gin to tonic ratio to suit your taste. Some people prefer a 1:2 ratio, while others like 1:3. Experiment to find your perfect balance.
4. French 75
The French 75 is a classic gin cocktail that combines gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne. It’s a refreshing drink perfect for special occasions or brunch.
To make a French 75, you’ll need gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne.
Mix the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a champagne flute.
Top off the glass with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.
The result is a bubbly, citrusy cocktail with a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors.
You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less simple syrup to suit your taste. Some variations use cognac instead of gin for a different flavor profile.
5. Aviation
The Aviation is a classic gin cocktail with a light purple hue. It combines gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice.
To make an Aviation, mix 2 ounces of gin, 1/4 ounce of maraschino liqueur, 1/4 ounce of crème de violette, and 1/2 ounce of fresh lemon juice in a shaker with ice.
Shake the mixture well and strain it into a chilled cocktail glass.
You can garnish it with a cherry or lemon twist if you like.
The Aviation has a unique flavor profile. It’s floral and slightly sweet, with a tart citrus finish. The crème de violette gives it its signature color and delicate floral notes.
6. Martini
The Martini is a classic gin cocktail known for its simplicity and elegance. To make one, you’ll need gin, dry vermouth, and ice.
Start by chilling your martini glass. Fill a mixing glass with ice, then add 2.5 ounces of gin and 0.5 ounces of dry vermouth.
Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds to chill and dilute it slightly. Strain the cocktail into your chilled glass.
You can garnish your Martini with a lemon twist or olive, depending on your preference.
The Martini is a versatile drink that you can adjust to suit your taste.
7. Bee’s Knees
The Bee’s Knees is a classic gin cocktail that’s sweet and citrusy. To make it, you’ll need gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup.
Mix 2 ounces of gin, 3/4 ounce of lemon juice, and 3/4 ounce of honey syrup in a shaker with ice.
Shake well for about 30 seconds until it’s very cold.
Strain the drink into a chilled glass. You can use a coupe or martini glass for a fancy touch.
For an extra burst of flavor, twist a lemon peel over the drink before dropping it in. This releases the citrus oils on top.
8. Gin Fizz
The Gin Fizz is a refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for warm days. To make one, you’ll need gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda.
Start by shaking gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice.
Top it off with club soda for that signature fizz. Give it a gentle stir to mix everything together.
For an extra frothy version, you can add an egg white before shaking. This creates a smoother texture and a foamy top.
The Gin Fizz is crisp, tangy, and easy to drink. It’s a great choice for gin lovers who want something light and bubbly.
9. Singapore Sling
The Singapore Sling is a fruity gin cocktail with a tropical twist. It was created in the early 1900s at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
To make this drink, you’ll need gin, pineapple juice, lime juice, and cherry liqueur. You’ll also add Benedictine, orange liqueur, and bitters.
Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
For a finishing touch, garnish with a slice of pineapple or a cherry.
The Singapore Sling is perfect for hot days. Its blend of sweet and sour flavors makes it a refreshing choice.
10. White Lady
The White Lady is a classic gin cocktail that packs a citrusy punch. You’ll love its refreshing taste and elegant appearance.
To make this drink, you’ll need gin, triple sec (like Cointreau), and fresh lemon juice. Some recipes also call for an egg white to give it a silky texture.
Mix the ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
The result is a pale, creamy-looking drink that’s both tart and smooth.
The White Lady was created in 1919 by Harry MacElhone, a famous bartender. It’s been a popular choice in bars for over a century.
11. Last Word
The Last Word is a gin cocktail with a perfect balance of flavors. It combines equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice.
This Prohibition-era drink offers a unique blend of sweet, sour, and herbal notes. To make it, shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.
You can try different gins to create subtle variations. Some bartenders experiment by swapping gin for mezcal or adding pineapple juice for a twist.
The Last Word’s complex taste profile makes it a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts. Its revival in recent years has coincided with the growing popularity of craft gin.
12. Southside
The Southside is a refreshing gin cocktail that combines mint, citrus, and sweetness. To make one, you’ll need gin, lime juice, simple syrup, and fresh mint leaves.
Start by gently muddling mint leaves in a shaker to release their oils. Add 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of lime juice, and 0.5 ounces of simple syrup.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass to remove any mint bits.
Garnish your Southside with a fresh sprig of mint.
The result is a balanced drink with bright citrus notes and a cool minty finish.
13. Vesper Martini
The Vesper Martini is a famous cocktail with a strong connection to James Bond. You can make this drink by combining gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc or dry vermouth.
To prepare a Vesper, mix 3 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of vodka, and 1/2 ounce of Lillet Blanc in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake the mixture well for about 10-15 seconds.
Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass. For a finishing touch, garnish with a thin slice of lemon peel.
The result is a potent and sophisticated drink with a unique blend of flavors.
14. Gimlet
The Gimlet is a classic gin cocktail known for its simplicity and refreshing taste. You can easily make one at home with just a few ingredients.
To prepare a Gimlet, mix 2 ounces of gin with 1/2 ounce of lime juice and 1/2 ounce of simple syrup in a shaker filled with ice.
Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
For a twist, try using vodka instead of gin. You can also muddle cucumber and basil before shaking for added flavor.
Garnish your Gimlet with a lime wheel or cucumber slice to enhance its visual appeal.
Choose a quality gin like Bombay Sapphire or Hendrick’s to elevate your Gimlet experience. Adjust the sweetness to your liking by varying the amount of syrup used.
15. Corpse Reviver #2
The Corpse Reviver #2 is a classic gin cocktail with a reputation for curing hangovers. It’s a balanced mix of gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
To make this drink, you’ll need equal parts of each ingredient.
Combine 3/4 ounce each of gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice in a shaker with ice.
Add a dash of absinthe to your chilled cocktail glass. Shake the mixture well and strain it into the glass.
The absinthe gives the drink a subtle anise flavor.
This cocktail is crisp and refreshing, with a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and herbal notes. It’s a great choice for brunch or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
16. Pegu Club
The Pegu Club is a classic gin cocktail that packs a punch. It’s named after a British officers’ club in Burma where it was created in the 1920s.
To make this drink, you’ll need gin, orange curaçao, lime juice, and bitters.
Shake these ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.
The result is a tart and refreshing cocktail with a complex flavor profile.
The gin provides a strong base, while the orange curaçao adds sweetness and citrus notes.
Angostura and orange bitters give the drink depth and balance. The lime juice brings a zesty kick that ties everything together.
17. Ramos Gin Fizz
The Ramos Gin Fizz is a classic cocktail known for its creamy texture and light, frothy top. It’s made with gin, lemon juice, lime juice, heavy cream, simple syrup, egg white, and orange flower water.
To make it, shake all ingredients except soda water vigorously without ice for about 10-15 seconds. This helps combine the cream and egg white.
Then add ice and shake again for at least 15 seconds. Strain into a tall glass and top with a splash of soda water.
The Ramos Gin Fizz requires effort to make, but you’ll be rewarded with a uniquely smooth and refreshing drink.
Its silky texture and subtle citrus flavors make it a standout gin cocktail.
18. Silver Bullet
The Silver Bullet is a crisp gin cocktail with a unique flavor profile. You’ll need gin, kummel liqueur, and fresh lemon juice to make this drink.
To prepare, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add 1.5 ounces of gin, 0.5 ounces of kummel, and 0.5 ounces of lemon juice.
Shake well until the mixture is cold and combined.
Strain the cocktail into a chilled glass. For an extra touch, you can garnish with a lemon twist.
The Silver Bullet offers a refreshing blend of herbal gin, caraway-flavored kummel, and zesty lemon.
This cocktail is perfect for gin lovers looking to try something different. Its balanced flavors make it a great choice for any occasion.
19. Clover Club
The Clover Club is a classic gin cocktail with a pretty pink hue. You’ll need gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white to make it.
Start by adding all ingredients to a shaker without ice. Shake vigorously to mix the egg white.
Then add ice and shake again until chilled.
Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
For a fancy touch, garnish with fresh raspberries on a cocktail pick.
This drink balances sweet and tart flavors. The egg white gives it a silky texture and frothy top.
You’ll enjoy the Clover Club’s smooth taste and elegant appearance.
Origins of Gin
Gin started as a medicine in the Netherlands in the 1600s. Doctors used juniper berries to make a drink that could treat stomach problems. This drink became popular in England during the late 1600s.
The English loved it so much that a “Gin Craze” swept through London in the early 1700s. During this time, gin was cheap and easy to make. Many people drank too much of it. This led to social problems and new laws to control gin production.
By the mid-1700s, gin became safer and higher quality.
Evolution of Gin Cocktails
Gin cocktails began to appear in the late 1700s. The first known gin cocktail was the Gin Punch, a mix of gin, lemon juice, sugar, and water.
In the 1800s, more complex gin drinks emerged. The Tom Collins became popular in 1874. It’s a refreshing mix of gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water.
The Martini, another famous gin cocktail, appeared around the same time. It combines gin with vermouth and sometimes olive brine. In the early 1900s, bartenders created even more gin cocktails.
The Corpse Reviver #2, a mix of gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, and absinthe, became a hit. Today, gin remains a key ingredient in many classic and modern cocktails.
Ingredients and Flavor Profiles
Gin cocktails blend botanical flavors with complementary mixers and garnishes. The right ingredients create unique taste experiences, from classic recipes to modern twists.
Traditional Ingredients
Gin is the star of these drinks. It’s made with juniper berries and other herbs. Most gin cocktails use London Dry gin. This type has a strong juniper taste.
Common mixers include tonic water, soda water, and fruit juices. Lemon and lime are popular choices. They add a fresh, sour kick.
Vermouth is key in martinis. It’s a fortified wine that comes in dry or sweet versions.
Bitters add depth to many drinks. Angostura bitters are most common. They have a spicy, herbal flavor.
Garnishes like cucumber slices, mint leaves, or olives finish the drink. They add visual appeal and extra flavor.
Modern Twists
New gins use different botanicals. Some have floral notes from rose or lavender.
Others are spicy with ginger or black pepper.
Craft mixers are on the rise. Artisan tonics come in flavors like elderflower or cucumber.
Fresh herbs are popular additions. Basil, rosemary, and thyme add complexity.
Fruit purees bring color and sweetness. Try strawberry or peach for a summer twist.
Infused syrups offer unique flavors. Honey lavender or cinnamon syrup can transform a classic recipe.
Egg whites create a silky texture in fizzes and sours. They’re making a comeback in modern bars.