One of the greatest and most versatile spirits in any good home bar is gin, which allows you to make a selection of delicious classic gin cocktails. Some of these recipes can get a bit complex though, but if you’re just starting out, you might want a more simple gin cocktails that still taste great.
At its most basic, gin is a neutral distilled spirit (made from barley, wheat, corn, or other grains or ingredients). When it’s first produced, it closely resembles vodka. But while vodka is distilled and filtered to have as little flavor as possible, gin takes a completely different route.
Gin is flavored with juniper berries and various herbs and botanicals, including anise, Angelica root, Orris root, orange peel, cinnamon, and more. And while all gin needs to include the aforementioned juniper, the rest of the ingredients are up to the distiller.
Gin is a great mixing spirit. Its complex, pine-forward, floral aromas and flavors make it a perfect base for a summer cocktail (or any time of year). It pairs well with citrus, herbs, and various other fresh ingredients.
4 simple gin cocktails anyone can make
Gin is a floral, piney, versatile spirit that’s well-suited for mixing into countless seasonal cocktails. It plays nice with floral, citrus, fruity, and herbal flavors. Some of the more iconic gin-based drinks include the beloved Gin & Tonic and classic Martini. But these aren’t the only simple, elegant, refreshing gin-based cocktails. Below, you’ll find four mixed drinks anyone can make with their favorite gin and a few simple ingredients.
Gin and tonic
When it comes to simple gin-based cocktails, there aren’t many as refreshing and easy to make as a Gin & Tonic. At its most basic, this highball drink consists of only two ingredients: gin and tonic water. A squeeze of a lime wedge that’s then dropped into the drink completes this simple drink. While the true origins of this classic drink are unknown, it’s believed that the British military was mixing their gin rations with quinine to make it more palatable as early as the 1850s.
What you need to make a gin and tonic
- 2 ounces of London dry gin
- Topper of tonic water
- Lime wedge garnish
The gin and tonic recipe steps
1. Add ice to a highball or pint glass.
2. Pour the gin into the glass.
3. Top with tonic water.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Negroni
The Negroni is a simple, surprisingly flavorful drink that’s been around for more than 100 years. Consisting of gin, Campari (a bitter Italian liqueur), and sweet red vermouth, this drink was created in 1919 at the Caffè Casoni in Florence, Italy. A man named Count Camillo Negroni came in and asked the bartender to make an Americano with gin instead of soda water. The rest is history.
What you need to make a Negroni
- 1 ounce of gin
- 1 ounce of Campari
- 1 ounce of sweet red vermouth
The Negroni recipe steps
1. Add ice to a rocks or Old Fashioned glass.
2. Pour in the gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Garnish with an orange peel.
Martini
The martini (like many classic cocktails) has a bit of a murky history. While multiple tales of its creation exist, the most popular takes us back to the 1860s. This is when renowned bartender Jerry Thomas is believed to have created the drink at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco when he mixed up a drink with sloe gin, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, and maraschino bitters. The modern-day martini is a little different than the original.
What you need to make a martini
- 3 ounces of London dry gin
- 1/2 ounce of dry vermouth
The Martini recipe steps
1. Add ice to a mixing glass.
2. Pour in the gin and vermouth.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon peel or a green olive.
French 75
The French 75 is a simple cocktail made with gin, fresh lemon juice, champagne, and simple syrup. This World War I era drink was created in 1915 at the New York Bar in Paris by renowned bartender Harry MacElhone. It’s a perfect mix of floral gin, tart lemon, sweet sugar, and effervescent sparkling wine. It only has a few ingredients, but they all work perfectly together.
What you need to make a French 75
- 1 ounce of gin
- 1/2 ounce of fresh lemon juice
- 1-2 dashes of simple syrup
- Topper of Champagne
The French 75 recipe steps
1. Add ice to a cocktail shaker.
2. Pour the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously to combine.
4. Strain into a Champagne flute.
5. Top with Champagne.
6. Stir gently to combine.
Which gin to use for simple gin cocktails
If you’re new to making gin cocktails, one big consideration when you begin is which gin to buy. One of the fun things about gin is how many different brands and varieties are available, as gin is relatively easy to make and can be flavored with a wide range of herbs and other botanicals.
The good news is that good gin doesn’t need to be expensive, as unlike a spirit such as whiskey, it doesn’t require aging. That means it’s fairly simple for smaller brands to set up and start producing high-quality gins that they can sell for affordable prices.
However, you shouldn’t go to the supermarket and grab the cheapest bottle of gin you can find, as low-quality spirits will never make great drinks. Instead, look for something that’s solidly in the middle of the pack, for which you might spend around $25 to $30. Some great brands for mixing include Tanqueray, Brokers, or Haymans, all of which feature good flavors and smooth quality without being overly expensive.
If you do fancy getting a bit more upmarket, particularly for your gin and tonics, you can try out brands like Hendrick’s, Brooklyn Gin, or The Botanist — all of which are excellent high-end choices that will elevate any drink you use them for.
