Gin has been around for a long time, and classic cocktails such as martinis or a Tom Collins have been favorites that have their own cult followings. Another popular gin cocktail is the simple gin and tonic. And you can upgrade your gin experience by drinking a good-quality gin that goes down smoothly.
Gin’s primary flavor comes from the berries of juniper plants. That just sounds delicious and invigorating, doesn’t it?
Maybe you’re feeling nostalgic for a gimlet or Tom Collins. For some people, a gin martini is what they want for a sophisticated cocktail.
Delving into the world of gin cocktails, you’ll quickly find yourself exploring an array of flavors, from bold botanicals to crisp and refreshing citrus notes. Gin’s characteristic juniper and herbaceous profile serve as an excellent base for creative cocktail development, satisfying both the aspiring mixologist and those simple cravings for a well-crafted drink.
As you begin your journey into gin-based concoctions, various classics are ripe for experimentation. From the iconic Martini and Negroni to more eclectic offerings such as the Aviation or the Bee’s Knees, there’s a gin cocktail perfectly suited to your taste. Learning the ins and outs of these time-honored recipes not only expands your repertoire but also enhances your appreciation for the artistry involved in crafting a balanced and enjoyable cocktail.
Equipped with a bottle of gin and a few mixers, it’s time to dive into a satisfying mixology experience at home. Exploring different ingredients and techniques, you’ll have ample opportunity to discover new favorites and unlock a wealth of tastes that celebrate gin’s versatility. So continue reading, and let’s embark on a spirited adventure together.
An Italian gin cocktail, the Negroni is an apéritif, which is either before or after a meal.
Like most of the other classic gin cocktail recipes on our list, the Negroni has been around for a long time. Most experts believe that it was first served in 1919 in Florence, Italy to the Caffe Casoni for the Count of Negroni, Pascal Olivier.
The count basically wanted a stronger drink than his customary Americano, and the bartender added some gin. History was made.
With unique flavors of sweet vermouth (not dry vermouth), Campari, and gin, the Negroni is a winner.
Another cocktail that dates back to the early part of the 20th century, the Floradora is an absolute masterpiece.
The Floradora was inspired by the beloved Broadway show “Floradora” and makes use of a spicy ginger beer, raspberry syrup, and lime.
In the Broadway show, six chorus girls were featured and they carried parasols and wore pink dresses. This pink drink is beautifully reminiscent of these ladies.
Garnish this gorgeous drink with a raspberry skewer and a lime wedge.
If you’ve never tried a French 75 cocktail, you’re in for a delightful surprise.
All you need to make this classic gin cocktail is dry sparkling wine (Brut champagne is an excellent choice), fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin.
If you add a dab of honey (for honey syrup) to your simple syrup instead of using sugar syrup, it gives this traditional cocktail a whole new level of flavor.
The French 75 needs to be shaken in a cocktail shaker with some ice to reach full awesomeness.
Fruity and fresh summertime cocktails are what we are all about, and this Strawberry Gin Smash is just what the doctor ordered.
This cocktail is similar to a Tom Collins, but instead of fizzy lemonade, the Strawberry Gin Smash has a generous squeeze of lime juice and strawberries that have been muddled.
The best thing about this cocktail is how versatile it is. For the fizz, you can use any kind of carbonated beverage. Think Sprite, ginger ale, club soda, and even tonic water.
In a pinch, you can also use frozen strawberries that you thaw in time for sipping.
Another trick to use if you don’t have strawberries or strawberry syrup is to use some strawberry jam or preserves. This gives you a delicious fruity jam cocktail.
Pro tip: try this cocktail with a bit of pineapple juice and crushed ice for a beverage that is perfect for summer. Garnish with a lemon wheel to add a touch of tartness.
The secret to the perfect gin and tonic recipe is balancing the gin against the tonic water’s bitterness.
Also, using the best gin you can afford makes a difference, too. Gin that is mid-shelf or high-shelf will give you the best flavor.
And would you even try to enjoy a gin and tonic without lime? Of course, you wouldn’t!
Here’s another pro-tip for making the perfect gin and tonic. If you’re not going to use a whole big bottle, stick with the smaller bottles that give you a single serving.
Using the small bottles, you will always have fresh tonic water with plenty of fizz. London Dry Gin is excellent in a gin and tonic.
However, this classic cocktail became popular when it was published in a cocktail recipe book in the 1950s.
In 2004, the Last Word caught the attention of a Seattle bartender named Murray Stenson. Somehow, the Last Word started to go viral and now it’s popular all over the world.
In the Last Word, the green Chartreuse liqueur and maraschino liqueur are the stars of the show.
Here’s a pro tip about making the Last Word. Tanqueray gin is hugely popular, but it has floral notes that don’t lend themselves well to some cocktails, so it’s best to choose a different one for the Last Word. Consider a dry gin like Beefeater Gin as an option.
Grapefruit is the king of the citrus world, and it shines beautifully in the Greyhound Cocktail.
Born in the early part of the 20th century, the Greyhound Cocktail is named after the Greyhound bus company because this fun cocktail used to be served in bus terminals.
To add yet another great cocktail to your list of best gin drinks, salt the rim of the Greyhound Cocktail and you officially have a Salty Dog. Or use vodka instead of gin and you have a Vodka Greyhound.
The gin cocktail with the cutest name, the Gimlet is incredibly simple but the flavors offer something refreshing and complex.
All you need to make a Gimlet is gin, simple syrup, and lime. This classic cocktail is like a gin sour that is perfectly balanced.
The Gimlet is one of the oldest classic gin cocktails on our list of best gin drinks. Dating back to the 1880s, the Gimlet was created by Sir Thomas Gimlette, a surgeon in the Royal Navy.
Dr. Gimlette knew that the lime juice would help prevent his sailors from getting scurvy.
We don’t have to worry about scurvy anymore, but we think the Gimlet is just what the doctor ordered, anyhow!
The Pegu Club was the signature drink of a club with the same name that was located near Rangoon in Burma. This classic gin cocktail gets its name from the Pegu River.
Popular since the 1920s, the Pegu Club has flavors of herbs and citrus.
If you’re looking for a sophisticated cocktail that your guests have probably never tried before, you can surprise them with the Pegu Club.
To make the Pegu Club, you need to use both orange bitters and angostura bitters.
Perhaps the most sophisticated gin cocktail, a classic martini is simply perfection.
The only ingredients in a martini are gin and vermouth. That’s it. A martini is famously simple. Of course, the twist of lemon peel adds the perfect garnish.
One of the most iconic cocktails in history, the martini is a beloved drink that has lots of history.
You can have your martini shaken, or request a stirred martini. A martini is made with dry vermouth.
But what is vermouth? Essentially, vermouth is a fortified wine, which means that liquor was added to the wine for preservation properties.
Also, a dry martini should be stirred, not shaken.
Watch the video below to see some of these cocktails being made in action.
Our BEST Gin Cocktails (+Negroni Cocktail)
These recipes are sure to please. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
