14 Best Gin Cocktails for Every Taste

Gin cocktails offer a vibrant mix of history, flavor, and versatility that makes them a beloved choice for enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. From timeless classics like the martini and negroni to innovative new creations, gin provides a rich base for countless delightful beverages.

In this blog post, you will learn how to make some of the most iconic gin cocktails. The recipes are simple, and the ingredients are easy to find. Each cocktail, from the gin and tonic to the bee’s knees, has unique characteristics that cater to different tastes and occasions.

Gin and Tonic

The Gin and Tonic is a timeless cocktail loved for its simplicity and refreshing taste. Originating as a medicinal drink to ward off malaria, it has become a staple in bars and homes worldwide.

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 4 oz tonic water (chilled)
• Ice (to fill the glass)
• Lime wedge or twist (for garnish)

Instructions

• Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice.
• Add 2 ounces of gin.
• Pour 4 ounces of chilled tonic water over the gin.
• Gently stir to combine, preserving the carbonation.
• Garnish with a lime wedge or twist to enhance the citrus flavor.

Tips for the Perfect Gin and Tonic

• Use quality tonic water for the best taste. Brands like Fever-Tree or Schweppes are popular.
• Experiment with different types of gins, such as London Dry or Plymouth, to find your preferred flavor.
• Try adding other garnishes like cucumber, mint, or seasonal fruits for a unique twist.

Martini

A classic Martini is often considered the pinnacle of gin cocktails. Its simplicity highlights the quality of the gin and the balance of flavors.

To make a classic Dry Gin Martini, you will need:

• 2.5 oz gin
• 0.5 oz dry vermouth
• Lemon twist or olive for garnish

Instructions:

1. Chill a martini glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer for a few minutes.
2. Combine gin and vermouth in a mixing glass filled with ice.
3. Stir for 30 seconds to ensure proper mixing and chilling.
4. Strain the mixture into the chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist or olive as preferred.

The Gin Martini showcases the botanicals in the gin. Adjust the vermouth to suit your taste. Some prefer just a splash, while others enjoy equal parts.

If you like variations, consider these options:

• Perfect Martini: Equal parts dry and sweet vermouth.
• Dirty Martini: Add a splash of olive brine and garnish with olives.
• Gibson: Garnish with a cocktail onion instead of an olive or lemon twist.

Experiment with different gins to discover your favorite. Classic choices include London Dry Gin, but modern gins with unique botanicals can add a twist to your Martini.

Negroni

The Negroni is a classic gin cocktail. It offers a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness.

Ingredients

• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 oz Campari
• Orange twist (for garnish)

Steps to Make It

1. Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour the gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari into the glass.
3. Stir well for about 30 seconds.
4. Gently squeeze an orange twist over the glass.
5. Add the orange twist as a garnish.

For a different presentation, you can serve the Negroni straight up:

1. Combine the gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari in a mixing glass.
2. Add ice and stir for about 20 seconds.
3. Strain the cocktail into a chilled glass.
4. Garnish with an orange twist.

Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a classic gin cocktail. It’s perfect for hot days. The drink is simple and refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• Club soda
• Ice
• Lemon wheel (for garnish)
• Maraschino cherry (optional)

Instructions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake well until chilled.
4. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
5. Top with club soda.
6. Stir gently.
7. Garnish with a lemon wheel. Add a maraschino cherry, if desired.

The Tom Collins has a tart, sweet, and fizzy taste. The lemon juice provides a refreshing tang. The simple syrup balances the flavor. The club soda adds the right amount of fizz.

This cocktail is not only delicious but also easy to prepare. You can mix it up in just a few minutes. Serve it at parties or enjoy it as a relaxing evening drink.

Gin Fizz

The Gin Fizz is a classic cocktail that combines gin with citrus and sweetness, creating a refreshing drink. You can make a Gin Fizz with just a few ingredients and some simple steps.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces gin
• 3/4 ounce lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 3/4 ounce simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water ratio)
• 1 small egg white (optional)
• Club soda

Instructions

• Add the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker.
• Dry-shake the mixture (without ice) for about 15 seconds.
• Add ice to the shaker and shake for another 30 seconds until well-chilled.
• Strain the drink into a chilled glass.
• Top with club soda.

The egg white is optional but recommended for a frothier texture. For a richer flavor, you can experiment with different variations. You might substitute lime juice for lemon or add a splash of heavy cream. Enjoy your homemade Gin Fizz!

Gimlet

The Gimlet is a classic gin cocktail. It is loved for its simplicity and balance.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces gin
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 0.75 ounce simple syrup

Instructions

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Pour in the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake well until chilled.
4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a lime wheel.

You can also substitute lime cordial for fresh lime juice and simple syrup. This slightly changes the flavor but remains a classic.

Certain variations use vodka instead of gin. This is less common but equally tasteful. For gatherings, the Gimlet is both elegant and easy to prepare.

French 75

The French 75 is a classic gin cocktail that originated in the early 20th century. It combines the botanical notes of gin with the effervescence of Champagne. Quick to prepare, this cocktail is ideal for celebrations.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. gin
• 0.75 oz. lemon juice
• 0.5 oz. simple syrup (1:1 ratio)
• 3 oz. Champagne or sparkling wine
• Lemon twist (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until well chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a chilled champagne flute.
4. Top with Champagne or sparkling wine.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist.

You can enjoy this drink at celebrations or relaxed gatherings. It delivers a refreshing burst of citrus and effervescence. The French 75 is named after a French field gun from World War I, reflecting its impact and zest.

This cocktail has been beloved for nearly a century, maintaining its prestige. Use a juniper-forward gin for best results. This enhances the cocktail’s botanical backbone.

Aviation

The Aviation cocktail is a classic gin-based drink. It was created in the early 1900s and has gained popularity for its floral and slightly tart flavor.

To make an Aviation cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz maraschino liqueur
• 1/4 oz crème de violette
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 brandied cherry (for garnish)

Follow these steps to prepare it:

• Add gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice to a shaker.
• Fill the shaker with ice and shake well for 15-20 seconds.
• Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail or coupe glass.
• Garnish with a brandied cherry.

Bee’s Knees

The Bee’s Knees cocktail is a classic gin drink from the Prohibition era. People love it for its simple yet delightful combination of flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces gin
• 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce honey syrup (1 part honey, 1 part water)

Instructions

1. Make the honey syrup by combining equal parts honey and water in a saucepan. Heat until dissolved, then let cool.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Add the gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup to the shaker.
4. Shake well for about 30 seconds until cold.
5. Strain the mixture into a coupe or martini glass.
6. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.

This cocktail’s name, “Bee’s Knees,” was popular slang in the 1920s for something outstanding. It’s fitting for such an excellent drink.

The combination of gin, lemon juice, and honey creates a well-balanced cocktail. You’ll find it both refreshing and flavorful.

Many enjoy the Bee’s Knees for its simplicity. The drink relies on fresh ingredients to shine.

Modern variations sometimes replace lemon juice with sour mix. You could try it with fruit-forward or floral gins for a new twist.

Pro Tip: Using fresh lemon juice and quality honey will enhance the flavors.

Southside

The Southside cocktail stands out in the world of gin cocktails. It’s a refreshing mix of gin, lime, mint, and simple syrup.

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
• 0.75 oz simple syrup
• 6-8 fresh mint leaves
• Ice

Instructions

Muddle Mint:

• Gently muddle the mint leaves in a cocktail shaker to release their oils.

Combine Ingredients:

• Add gin, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.

Shake:

• Add ice, and shake for about 15 seconds until well-chilled.

Strain:

• Double-strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass to remove mint bits.

Garnish:

• Garnish with a mint sprig for a fresh aroma.

Tips

• Mint: Use fresh mint for the best flavor.
• Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice elevates the drink’s taste.
• Simple Syrup: You can adjust the sweetness by modifying the amount of simple syrup.

This crisp cocktail is not only easy to make but also perfect for a hot summer day. Enjoy your Southside!

Clover Club

The Clover Club cocktail is a sophisticated gin drink. This classic cocktail combines gin with raspberry syrup and fresh lemon juice. The addition of egg white gives it a creamy, frothy top.

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz raspberry syrup
• 1 egg white

Instructions

1. Combine the gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker.
2. Dry shake (without ice) vigorously for about 15 seconds. This helps create the creamy texture.
3. Add ice to the shaker and shake again until well chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
5. Garnish with fresh raspberries or a lemon twist, if desired.

This cocktail dates back to the late 1800s. It was a favorite at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia. Writers, lawyers, and industry leaders frequently enjoyed it.

The Clover Club is known for its tangy and bright flavors. Its beautiful pink color makes it visually appealing. A mix of tart lemon juice and sweet raspberry syrup balances the flavors well.

Last Word

The Last Word is a classic gin cocktail. It originated during Prohibition. Modern bartenders revived it, making it a staple in cocktail bars.

Ingredients

• ¾ oz gin
• ¾ oz Green Chartreuse
• ¾ oz Luxardo Maraschino
• ¾ oz fresh lime juice

Instructions

1. Add gin, Green Chartreuse, Maraschino, and lime juice to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake until well-chilled, about 10-15 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
4. Garnish with a brandied cherry or a lime twist (optional).

The drink offers a balanced mix of herbal, sweet, and tart flavors. Its simplicity and unique taste make it a must-try.

Singapore Sling

The Singapore Sling is an iconic gin cocktail. Created in the early 1900s at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, it’s known for its vibrant pink color and complex flavor.

Ingredients:

• 30 ml Gin
• 15 ml Cherry Brandy
• 7.5 ml Cointreau
• 7.5 ml Benedictine
• 120 ml Pineapple Juice
• 15 ml Lime Juice
• 10 ml Grenadine
• A Dash of Angostura Bitters
• Club Soda (to top)
• Garnish: Pineapple slice, Maraschino cherry

Instructions:

1. Add gin, cherry brandy, Cointreau, Benedictine, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine, and bitters into a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well for 8-10 seconds.
3. Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Top with club soda.
5. Garnish with a pineapple slice and a maraschino cherry.

The Singapore Sling is not only visually appealing but also delivers a refreshing burst of flavors. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in this cocktail’s unique taste. Enjoy it as a standalone treat or pair it with light appetizers for an elegant experience.

Ramos Gin Fizz

The Ramos Gin Fizz is a classic cocktail from New Orleans. It’s known for its frothy texture and complex flavor. Create this challenging drink with care.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 1 oz heavy cream
• 1 egg white
• 2-3 drops orange flower water
• club soda

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, heavy cream, egg white, and orange flower water.
2. Dry shake (without ice) for 15 seconds to emulsify.
3. Add ice and shake vigorously for 1-2 minutes.
4. Strain into a chilled highball or Collins glass without ice.
5. Top with club soda to create a foamy head.