Gin cocktails are a beloved choice for many drinkers. They offer a wide range of flavors and styles to suit different tastes.

From classic recipes to modern twists, there’s a gin drink for everyone to enjoy.

You can find over 20 delicious gin cocktails to try at home or order at a bar. These drinks showcase gin’s versatility as a spirit.

Some popular options include the Gin and Tonic, Martini, Negroni, and Tom Collins. Each cocktail has its own unique mix of ingredients that complement gin’s botanical notes.

1. Negroni

The Negroni is a classic gin cocktail that’s both simple and sophisticated. It’s made with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.

To make a Negroni, mix 1 ounce each of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a glass with ice. Stir well to chill and combine the ingredients.

Serve your Negroni in an old-fashioned glass over ice. Garnish with an orange peel for a touch of citrus aroma.

This cocktail has a balanced blend of bitter, sweet, and herbal flavors. It’s perfect as an aperitif to enjoy before dinner.

2. Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a classic gin cocktail that’s easy to make and refreshing to drink. You’ll need gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda.

To make one, add 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of lemon juice, and 1/2 ounce of simple syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a tall glass filled with ice.

Top it off with club soda and stir gently. Garnish with a lemon wedge or slice if you like.

This drink is perfect for hot summer days. The fizzy soda and tart lemon balance out the gin nicely.

You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less syrup to suit your taste.

3. Aviation

The Aviation is a classic gin cocktail with a beautiful light purple color. It mixes gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette.

To make an Aviation, combine 2 oz gin, 1/2 oz lemon juice, 1/4 oz maraschino liqueur, and 1/4 oz crème de violette in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

The drink has a delicate floral aroma and a balance of sweet, tart, and herbal flavors. It’s a sophisticated cocktail that’s perfect for sipping before dinner.

4. Gin Fizz

The Gin Fizz is a classic cocktail that’s easy to make and refreshing to drink. You’ll need gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water.

Shake the gin, lemon juice, and sugar with ice. Strain into a glass and top with soda water. This creates a light, bubbly drink with a frothy top.

For extra foam, add an egg white before shaking. This gives the drink a silky texture and impressive look.

You can try different variations too. Use lime instead of lemon for a different flavor. Or add herbs like mint or basil for a fresh twist.

5. Martini

The Martini is a classic gin cocktail. You mix gin with dry vermouth and garnish with an olive or lemon twist.

To make a Martini, stir gin and vermouth with ice. Strain into a chilled glass. The ratio of gin to vermouth can vary based on taste.

A “dry” Martini uses less vermouth. A “dirty” Martini adds olive brine for a salty flavor. You can also try a Gibson, which swaps the olive for a cocktail onion.

Martinis are strong drinks. Sip slowly to enjoy the crisp, clean taste. Many people like Martinis as pre-dinner cocktails.

6. Sloe Gin Sling

The Sloe Gin Sling puts a twist on the classic Singapore Sling. You’ll love this fruity and refreshing drink.

Mix 2 ounces of sloe gin with 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice and 1/2 ounce of simple syrup. Add a splash of club soda for some fizz.

Garnish with a lemon wheel and a cherry. The deep red color makes it look great in a tall glass.

This cocktail balances sweet and tart flavors. It’s perfect for sipping on warm days or as a pre-dinner drink.

7. Bee’s Knees

The Bee’s Knees is a classic cocktail from the 1920s Prohibition era. It combines gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup.

To make this drink, you’ll need to shake gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup with ice. Strain it into a chilled coupe glass.

The honey syrup gives the Bee’s Knees a smooth, sweet taste that balances the gin and lemon. For the best flavor, use a high-quality gin.

You can garnish your Bee’s Knees with a lemon twist. This adds a nice aroma and makes the drink look fancy.

8. Gin and Tonic

The gin and tonic is a classic cocktail that’s simple yet refreshing. You’ll need gin, tonic water, and lime.

Fill a glass with ice. Pour in 1 part gin and 3 parts tonic water. Squeeze in some fresh lime juice.

Stir gently to mix the ingredients. Garnish with a lime wedge or slice.

You can try different gins to change the flavor. Some people like to add cucumber or herbs for extra taste.

The gin and tonic is perfect for warm days. It’s easy to make and always hits the spot.

9. Southside

The Southside is a refreshing gin cocktail that combines mint, citrus, and sweetness. You’ll find it’s similar to a Mojito, but with gin instead of rum.

To make a Southside, you’ll need gin, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and mint leaves. Shake these ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.

The drink’s origins are debated. Some say it came from Chicago’s South Side, while others claim it was created at New York’s 21 Club.

The quality of gin matters in this cocktail. Pick a good botanical gin to complement the mint and lime flavors.

You can adjust the sweetness to your taste by adding more or less simple syrup. Garnish with a mint sprig for extra aroma and visual appeal.

10. Corpse Reviver #2

The Corpse Reviver #2 is a classic gin cocktail with a bold flavor profile. It’s made with equal parts gin, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, and Cointreau.

A dash of absinthe adds a unique twist to this drink. The name might sound scary, but don’t worry – it’s just meant to wake you up!

To make one, shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. The result is a balanced mix of citrus, herbal, and slightly sweet notes.

This cocktail gained popularity during Prohibition and has made a comeback in recent years. It’s a great choice for gin lovers looking to try something new and exciting.

11. French 75

The French 75 is a classic gin cocktail that combines gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne. It’s named after a World War I field gun, hinting at its powerful kick.

To make a French 75, mix gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Strain into a champagne flute and top with chilled champagne.

This drink offers a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors. The gin provides a botanical base, while the champagne adds bubbles and elegance.

You can customize your French 75 by using different types of gin. Try a juniper-forward London dry gin for a traditional taste, or experiment with more modern gins for unique flavor profiles.

12. Gimlet

The Gimlet is a classic gin cocktail that’s simple yet sophisticated. It combines gin, lime juice, and sugar for a perfectly balanced drink.

To make a Gimlet, mix 2 ounces of gin with 1/2 ounce each of fresh lime juice and simple syrup. Shake well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

You can adjust the sweetness to your taste by adding more or less simple syrup. For a modern twist, try using a flavored gin or adding a splash of soda water.

The Gimlet’s crisp, tart flavor makes it a refreshing choice for warm weather. It’s easy to make at home or order at most bars.

13. Clover Club

The Clover Club is a classic gin cocktail with a pretty pink hue. It mixes gin, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and egg white for a silky texture.

To make one, shake all ingredients without ice first. This helps the egg white get frothy. Then shake again with ice and strain into a glass.

The drink has a nice balance of sweet and sour flavors. The gin provides a botanical base while the raspberry adds fruity notes.

You can find the Clover Club in many cocktail books from the early 1900s. It was a popular drink at a Philadelphia hotel where businessmen and writers met.

Try a Clover Club when you want a fancy-looking cocktail that’s still easy to make at home. Its bright color and smooth taste make it great for parties too.

14. Bramble

The Bramble is a modern gin cocktail created in London during the 1980s. It combines gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and blackberry liqueur for a fruity, refreshing drink.

To make a Bramble, mix gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup in a glass filled with crushed ice. Drizzle blackberry liqueur over the top to create a colorful effect.

The cocktail gets its name from the blackberry bush, also called a bramble. Its flavor balances sweet and tart notes. The crushed ice gives it a slushy texture.

You can garnish a Bramble with fresh blackberries and a lemon slice. For a twist, try using blackberry jam instead of liqueur. The Bramble is perfect for sipping on warm summer days.

15. Singapore Sling

The Singapore Sling is a fruity gin cocktail created in the early 1900s at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel, Singapore. It has a pretty pink color that makes it stand out.

To make a Singapore Sling, you’ll need gin, cherry brandy, pineapple juice, lime juice, and bitters. Some recipes also add triple sec or Cointreau for extra flavor.

Shake all the ingredients with ice for about 20-30 seconds until cold. Then strain into a tall glass filled with ice. The drink is sweet, tart, and very refreshing.

While it started as a drink for women to enjoy discreetly, the Singapore Sling is now popular with everyone. It’s a must-try cocktail if you visit Singapore or want to bring some tropical flair to your home bar.

16. Ramos Gin Fizz

The Ramos Gin Fizz is a classic cocktail from New Orleans. It was created in 1888 by Henry Charles Ramos. This drink stands out for its creamy texture and fluffy foam top.

To make a Ramos Gin Fizz, you’ll need gin, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, cream, egg white, and orange flower water. The key is in the mixing technique.

First, shake all ingredients without ice for about 30 seconds. This helps create the signature frothy texture. Then add ice and shake again for 15-20 seconds.

The result is a refreshing, citrusy drink with a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Its unique taste and appearance make it a favorite at bars and a fun challenge for home bartenders.

17. White Lady

The White Lady is a classic gin cocktail that’s crisp and refreshing. It combines gin, triple sec, and lemon juice for a citrusy flavor profile.

To make a White Lady, you’ll need gin, Cointreau or another orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and an optional egg white. Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice, then strain into a chilled glass.

18. Last Word

The Last Word is a classic gin cocktail with a balanced flavor profile. It combines gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice.

To make this drink, you’ll need equal parts of each ingredient.

Combine them in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.

Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass. You can garnish it with a brandied cherry or a lime twist if you like.

This cocktail originated around 1915 at the Detroit Athletic Club. It fell out of favor for decades but has recently seen a revival in popularity among cocktail enthusiasts.

The Last Word offers a unique blend of herbal, sweet, and tart flavors that work together surprisingly well.

19. Hanky Panky

The Hanky Panky is a classic gin cocktail with a unique twist. It blends gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet-Branca for a complex flavor profile.

This drink was created in the early 1900s at London’s Savoy Hotel. Ada Coleman, the head bartender, invented it for a regular customer.

To make a Hanky Panky, mix gin and sweet vermouth in a glass with ice.

Add a dash of Fernet-Branca for a bitter, herbal kick.

Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

The Hanky Panky pairs well with cheese plates or charcuterie. Its herbal notes complement creamy cheeses and salty meats. You might also enjoy it with a piece of dark chocolate.

20. Pegu Club

The Pegu Club is a refreshing gin cocktail with a tangy citrus flavor. It’s named after a famous British club in Burma from the early 1900s.

To make a Pegu Club, you’ll need gin, lime juice, orange liqueur, and bitters.

Shake these ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.

This drink is similar to a gin sour but with added complexity from the orange liqueur and bitters. It’s a great choice for warm weather sipping.

You can garnish your Pegu Club with a lime wheel or twist for extra zest. The bright flavors make it a popular option for gin lovers looking to try something new.

History of Gin Cocktails

Gin has played a key role in cocktail culture for centuries. Its unique flavor profile and versatility have made it a favorite among bartenders and drinkers alike.

The Origins of Gin

Gin got its start in 17th century Holland as a medicine. Doctors used juniper berries to make a spirit they thought could cure kidney problems. This early gin was called genever.

In the 1700s, gin became very popular in England. It was cheap and easy to make. This led to a period known as the “Gin Craze.” Many people drank too much gin during this time.

By the 1800s, gin had improved in quality. Distillers started using better ingredients and methods. This paved the way for gin to become a respected spirit for cocktails.

Evolution of Gin Cocktails

Gin cocktails have changed a lot over time. In the late 1800s, bartenders started mixing gin with other ingredients to create new drinks.

Some early gin cocktails include:

• Gin Fizz (1888)
• Clover Club (1909)
• Southside (early 1900s)

The classic Gin and Tonic was born in the 19th century. British soldiers in India mixed gin with tonic water to make their malaria medicine taste better.

In the 20th century, gin became a staple in many famous cocktails. The Martini, Negroni, and Gimlet all use gin as their base spirit. These drinks are still popular today.

Modern bartenders keep creating new gin cocktails. They use fresh ingredients and unique flavor combinations to showcase gin’s versatility.

Key Ingredients in Gin Cocktails

Gin cocktails rely on a mix of botanicals and complementary mixers to create their unique flavors. The right ingredients can turn a simple drink into something special.

Botanicals in Gin

Gin gets its taste from botanicals. Juniper berries are the main flavor. Other common botanicals include:

• Coriander seeds
• Angelica root
• Citrus peels
• Orris root
• Cardamom

These give gin its crisp, herbal taste. Some gins use unique botanicals like lavender or cucumber. This changes the flavor profile. When making cocktails, pick a gin that matches the other ingredients.

Mixers and Garnishes

The right mixers and garnishes bring out gin’s flavors.

Popular mixers include:

• Tonic water
• Soda water
• Citrus juices (lemon, lime, grapefruit)
• Vermouth

Garnishes add visual appeal and extra taste.

Common options are:

• Citrus slices or peels
• Cucumber ribbons
• Fresh herbs (mint, basil, rosemary)
• Edible flowers

For a classic gin and tonic, use a wedge of lime. In a martini, add an olive or lemon twist.

Match your mixers and garnishes to the gin’s botanicals for the best taste.