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.

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!

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Emily Caldwell
Emily Caldwell
Contributor
Emily is a freelance writer with a special focus on health, fitness, lifestyle, food, and nutrition topics. She holds a B.S…
Let bourbon warm you up in all new ways with these delicious fall drinks
These are the best bourbon cocktails to make this fall
Smoked Old Fashioned

Let's be real — bourbon is pretty wonderful any time of the year. A nice smooth bourbon is a great sipper on a night out on the town or the sweet goodness of a classic mint julep while you're enjoying the Kentucky Derby. But come fall, there's just something especially delicious about this spicy-sweet nectar. Warming to the fingertips,  bourbon's characteristic flavor is not only luscious on its own, but it is also complemented beautifully by other warm and cozy fall flavors when mixed into fall cocktails. These are a few of our absolute favorite fall cocktails with bourbon.
Maple Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

The first entry on our list of best fall cocktails blends fall and winter flavors with its decadent combination of maple and cranberry, this is a cocktail you can enjoy straight on through to Christmas. We adore how the acidic burst of cranberry is accented and tamed with the rich coating of maple and the nuttiness of bourbon.

Read more
Aperol and tequila: The perfect fall-friendly drink combination
Need to transition your tequila drinks into the fall season? Look no further than Aperol
Aperol spritz

As the warmth of summer has faded into the cooler weather, as it always does, many people think the changing of the seasons means fewer frozen margaritas. And while that might be true, just because it's not frozen drink weather, it doesn't mean you have to give up tequila. The agave spirit can transition into fall seamlessly with the bittersweet touch of Aperol, among a few other things.

First, a bit of history. Aperol is more than a century old, a famously red-orange bitter apéritif born in northern Italy. It's a lighter cousin of Campari, both in terms of hue and alcoholic heat. Mostly, it's incorporated into a spritz. Yet, Aperol works wonders when it's combined with tequila, especially as you look to add a little more depth and weight to your drinks as autumn arrives.

Read more
Four cozy autumnal whiskey cocktails for the changing season
Combine whiskey with Champagne, apple juice, or even coffee liqueur
george dickel fall cocktails roosevelt

With Labor Day in the rear view mirror, fall season is officially upon us. And that means crunchy leaves, pumpkin spice everything, and cozy autumnal drinks. The whiskey brand George Dickel, one of our favorite Tennessee whiskey brands, is getting into the spirit of the season with four cocktail recipes that embrace the tastes of fall.

Naturally there's an apple drink in there, with the Roosevelt combining bourbon and spiced apple juice. There's also a twist on the classic Champagne cocktail which uses whiskey in place of the brandy, a simple rye daiquiri, and an intriguing combination of bourbon, coffee liqueur, and fruity additions which would be a delightful way to toast a Sunday brunch.
George Dickel Bottled in Bond Cascade Celebration

Read more