Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

You’ll love these 3 refreshing summer gin cocktails

By
gin cocktail
Toni Cuenca / Pexels

When you think of gin, chances are that a Gin and Tonic is the first drink that comes to mind. As great as a classic Gin and Tonic cocktail is, there are so many other exciting (and lesser-known) uses for gin in cocktails. Gin is the perfect liquor to use in refreshing cocktails throughout the summer, offering a slightly bitter and refreshing taste. Gin cocktails for summer are perfect for sipping on the beach, by the pool, or even as cocktails at summer parties. Try something new this year with these 3 summer gin cocktails that are easy to make and require minimal ingredients.

Cherry gin cocktail

cherry-gin-cocktail
bogubogu / Shutterstock

Ingredients

  • 1 and 1/2 oz. gin 

  • 2 oz. cherry liqueur 

  • 2/3 – 1 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • Handful of ice

  • Mint and cherries, for garnish

Method

  1. Combine the gin, cherry liqueur, lemon juice, and ice in a shaker. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.
  2. Adjust the flavor of your drink by adding more lemon juice or spirits, if desired.
  3. Serve on the rocks and garnish with mint and cherries. Enjoy!

Gin grapefruit spritz

Aperol Spritz cocktail in a wine glass on a grey background on a bright sunny day, summer drinks, copy space Sasha_P / Shutterstock

If you’re looking for something bubbly in your summer gin cocktails, a Gin Grapefruit Spritz is worth a shot. Combining bubbly and smooth prosecco with gin and grapefruit juice results in a unique combination of summer flavors in one, fun cocktail. This cocktail will quickly become a fan favorite for its taste — not to mention it looks Instagram-worthy.

Recommended Videos

Ingredients

  • 2 oz gin
  • 4 oz grapefruit juice
  • 4 oz prosecco
  • Sparkling water (optional)
  • Grapefruit and rosemary to garnish

Method

  1. Combine ice, gin, and grapefruit juice in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Strain into an ice-filled wine or cocktail glass.
  3. Add prosecco.
  4. Top with sparkling water, if desired.
  5. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and rosemary. Enjoy!

Strawberry gin cocktail

strawberry-cocktail
Jane Vershinin / Shutterstock

Strawberries are another summer fruit that works wonderfully in summer gin cocktails. This delicious drink is creamy, icy, and refreshing, adding creaminess by using plain Greek yogurt blended into the cocktail.

Related: 
Jim Beam just dropped a new bourbon that’s perfect for the last days of summer

Ingredients

  • 2 large or 4 small ripe strawberries, halved
  • 1 1/2 ounces lemon juice
  • 1 ounce honey
  • 3 ounces gin
  • 2 heaping tsp. plain Greek yogurt
  • Strawberries for garnish

Method

  1. Combine strawberries, lemon juice, and honey in a cocktail shaker and muddle until mashed and broken up.
  2. Add gin and Greek yogurt and fill the shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled and yogurt is dissolved, about 15 seconds.
  3. Fill a rock glass with ice and strain the cocktail into it.
  4. Garnish each glass with a strawberry slice, and enjoy!
Emily Caldwell
Emily Caldwell
Contributor
Emily is a freelance journalist with a focus on food, travel, health, and fitness content. She loves to travel to new…
Topics

Editors’ Recommendations

Cool down with these summer cocktails featuring French flair
Put something with a French twist in your festive glass
French 75 cocktail

Summer is full of excuses for a great cocktail recipe. From graduations and holidays to lazy summer hangs and al fresco dining experiences, there's a lot to raise a glass to. And if you need one more ounce of persuasion, there's Bastille Day.

The French holiday lands on Monday and in preparation, we've rounded up some fitting cocktails from some French brands. So, whether you're European or not, we've got something for you to mix up. Sometimes, you just need a fine beverage for a summer weekday.
Courvoisier and Lemondade

Read more
This rosé sangria is the ultimate summer cocktail mashup
A refreshing Spanish-style bevy for summer
Sangria

Is there anything more summer than Rosé and Sangria? How about combining the two. This summer cocktail recipe is about as sunny as things get. And if you need a reason to celebrate, we've got a few.

For starters, the Fourth of July is just a few days away. Even if you're not big on the holiday, it falls on a summer weekend so that's kinda nice. Bastille Day is coming up, if that's more your speed. And the long mild days are always worth raising a glass to, in our opinion.

Read more
Clase Azul is launching a new, smoky blanco tequila you won’t want to miss
Clase Azul Tequila Blanco Ahumado is the newest addition to the brand's portfolio
Clase Azul

There are very few tequila brands with more eye-catching bottles than Clase Azul. The popular brand’s newest expression is no exception. It’s called Clase Azul Tequila Blanco Ahumado. It’s the latest addition to the portfolio, joining the brand’s five tequilas and three mezcals.
Clase Azul Tequila Blanco Ahumado

This artisanal tequila begins with Blue Weber agave hearts that are baked in a traditional oven made by digging a pit in the ground and lighting wood and volcanic rocks. After baking, the agave is shredded, and the juice is fermented and combined with the brand’s proprietary yeast. It’s then double-distilled in copper pot stills, resulting in a memorable tequila that will make you rethink the depths of flavor that blanco tequila can contain.

Read more