Top 10 easy gin cocktails
- Leon Dalloway
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Use up a bottle of dry gin with our easiest ever cocktail ideas. This versatile spirit can be used in everything from classic G&Ts to martinis and more.
Gin is more popular than ever, so it’s a good time to learn some simple serving options to take it to another dimension. You don’t need any fancy equipment for these speedy gin cocktails – even a jam jar will do as a shaker. It’s all about the love you put into the preparation.
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For more inspiration, see our top 10 fruity gin cocktails and best pink gin cocktails.
How to make a gin cocktail
- The key to making drinks is the balance between sweet and sour/bitter. Try not to let one element overpower the other
- Taste your drinks before you serve
- If serving over ice, fill your glass to the top with it
- Ensure your garnish is fresh and stacked close to the straws
- Remember that we drink in three steps: with our eyes first, then with our nose and finally with our mouth
As a general rule, we recommend using 50ml gin for each cocktail unless otherwise stated. If using a liqueur, reduce this to 40ml gin and use 10ml liqueur. Balance 20ml fresh citrus juice with 15ml sugar syrup that’s been made from equal parts sugar and water (you’ll find a recipe at the bottom of the page).
Top 10 quick and easy gin cocktails
1. Bramble
You'll need:
- 40ml gin
- 20ml sugar syrup
- 20ml lemon juice
- 10ml crème de mure
- berries or lemon zest, to garnish
Tip the gin, sugar syrup and lemon juice together in a shaker, then pour this over crushed ice and drizzle with the crème de mure. Garnish with lemon zest or fresh seasonal berries.
2. French 75
You'll need:
- 30ml gin
- 20ml lemon juice
- 10ml sugar syrup
- champagne
- lemon zest
- ice
Pour the lemon juice, sugar syrup and gin into a cocktail shaker then fill up with ice. Shake well then strain into a champagne flute. Top with a little champagne, leave to settle (as it will bubble up) then fill up with more champagne. Swirl gently with a cocktail stirrer then garnish with a strip of lemon zest if you like.
3. Elderflower collins
If you’ve not made your own elderflower cordial, you can buy it from most big supermarkets.
You'll need:
- 50ml gin
- 20ml lemon juice
- 10ml sugar syrup
- 10ml elderflower cordial
- soda water, for topping up
- herb sprigs, to garnish
Shake the gin with the lemon juice, sugar and a dash of elderflower cordial in a cocktail shaker. Pour over rock ice and top up with soda water. Garnish with a sprig of your favourite herb.
4. Sloe gin fizz
Give wonderfully wintry sloe gin a mean cocktail kick.
You'll need:
- 50ml sloe gin
- 20ml lemon juice
- 15ml sugar syrup
- 1 rosemary sprig
- 20ml egg whites
Shake together the sloe gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, a rosemary sprig and the egg whites in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain, remove the ice, return the mixture to the shaker and shake without ice to ensure maximum froth. Serve in a wine glass.
5. Negroni
You'll need:
- 25ml gin
- 25ml sweet vermouth
- 25ml Campari
- 1 strip of peeled orange zest
Pour the gin, vermouth and Campari into a rocks glass filled with ice. Stir until it is diluted to your taste, then twist the orange peel over the glass to release the oils and drop it into the drink before serving.
6. Martini
You'll need:
- 60ml gin
- dry vermouth, to taste
- 1 strip of lemon peel, to garnish
Stir the gin with as much dry vermouth you like: the more you use the more herbal it will be. Stir until diluted to your taste. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.
7. Gimlet
You'll need:
- 50ml gin
- 25ml cordial of your choice (we used lime)
- lime slice, to garnish (optional)
Stir together the gin and cordial, then continue to stir until diluted to your taste and serve in a coupe glass garnished with a lime slice, if you like.
8. Pink gin spritz
Beautifully delicate and floral, this is ideal for an al fresco gathering.
You'll need:
- handful of ice
- 50ml rose-flavoured gin
- 35ml lychee liqueur
- sparkling water, for topping up
Fill a highball glass with ice, then pour over the gin and lychee liqueur. Top up with sparkling water.
9. G&T
The headline act. A gin and tonic evolves into something far more complex with the right twists.
You’ll need:
- gin
- tonic water
- lime slice, to garnish (optional)
Make a classic G&T by combining one part gin with two parts tonic, then garnish with a lime slice, if you like (or, use cucumber slices, herb sprigs or berries). See our more unique cocktail ideas with our 10 gin & tonics with a twist guide or discover even more inspiration with our gin & tonic recipe collection.
10. Floral gin pitcher
Make this summery floral gin pitcher to serve a crowd in summer.
You’ll need:
- 300ml dry gin
- 120ml elderflower liqueur
- 90ml rose syrup
- 150ml freshly squeezed red grapefruit juice, plus grapefruit slices to serve
- tonic water, for topping up
- ice
- rosemary sprig, to garnish
Tip some ice into a large pitcher and stir in the gin, elderflower liqueur, rose syrup and grapefruit juice. Top up with tonic water and stir, then garnish with grapefruit slices and a rosemary sprig.
Quick sugar syrup recipe
Combine one part sugar and one part water in a pan and heat over a low heat, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved. Leave to cool slightly, then pour into a sterilised glass jar and seal. This can also be flavoured with herbs, citrus zest and spices, if you like.
More on gin
The best gins - taste tested
The best classic gins - taste tested
Video: How to make your own sloe gin
10 gin and tonics with a twist
Our favourite gin cocktail recipes
All you need to know about gin
Gin and tonic recipe collection
The best sloe gin recipes
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