31 Refreshing Gin Cocktails for an Elegant 2024
Each spirit has unique flavors and properties that make it a natural fit for certain flavor combinations, and the possibilities for gin cocktails are nearly unlimited. This clear liquid is anything but plain. Though it’s made from a fairly neutral base, it is infused with herbs and botanicals to create a wonderfully complex, vegetal or herbal profile — making it a great base for some of the best cocktails.
There are tons of simple gin cocktails that showcase these notes, but gin also pairs nicely with flavors of citrus or other fruits as well as unique flavors like ginger or cucumber. But there are several different types of gin, and each has a distinct usage. Dry gin is different from London dry gin and both differ greatly from Japanese gin. Bon Appetit suggest that there are 11 types of gin!
Gin is one of those spirits that belongs on your home bar cart because it’s such a staple. Classic gin cocktails like the gin and tonic or Tom Collins come together with just a few ingredients and are always refreshing. Yet this often juniper-infused drink lends itself to much more complex drinks like the Negroni or a fruity Singapore Sling. Even a simple gin and tonic requires some understanding of what you’re drinking. Bombay Sapphire and tonic is made even better with a lime wedge. But don’t even think of garnishing a Hendrick’s and tonic with a lime. Thanks to the infusions of cucumber and rose, it belongs with a cucumber slice on the side. With so much to keep in mind, you might be wondering what is good to mix with gin? Snoop Dogg made gin and juice popular, but what juice goes with gin? All that and more in this fantastic list of refreshing gin cocktails to elevate any occasion.
Jump to Section
- Classic Gin Cocktails
- Simple Gin Cocktails
- Fruity Gin Cocktails
- Sweet Gin Cocktails
- 3-Ingredient Gin Cocktails
Classic Gin Cocktails
1. French 75
These classic gin cocktails gets their name from a World War I French machine gun known for rapid-fire. The drink consists of gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and Brut Champagne. The name comes from the “kick” of gin in this bubbly and bright sipper. It’s beautiful in a champagne glass with a twist of lemon, but can be made with cognac or other spirits as well.
2. Negroni
A perfect aperitif, these classic gin cocktails combine three things you probably have on hand. Equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari combine for a strong sipper that’s best enjoyed before dinner with a garnish of an orange twist.
3. Corpse Reviver No. 2
Don’t let the name scare you, these gin cocktails date back to Prohibition and were touted as a hangover cure, intended for morning sipping. It’s made with equal parts gin, Lillet Blanc, orange liqueur and lemon juice, but an absinthe rinse is essential to the overall balance. You can learn all about these specialty spirits and accompaniments with online mixology classes. Gain confidence in creating the perfect ratio to re-create classics or get creative and make your own gin cocktails.
4. Vesper Martini
Slightly different than the original, the vesper martini is one of the most classic gin cocktails, beloved by many, including James Bond. Famously ordered “shaken not stirred” it’s made with three parts dry gin, one part vodka and a half shot of Lillet or another similar dry French aperitif. The lemon twist garnish is also essential to differentiating this light but strong drink. It's also one of the top vodka cocktails.
5. Clover Club
This perfectly pink drink is just the right balance of fruity, herbaceous and refreshing. Muddled raspberries with a sprig of fresh thyme are shaken with gin, egg white, simple syrup and some fresh-squeezed lemon juice. The result is a chilled, foamy masterpiece that’s ideal for slowly savoring.
6. Bramble Gin Cocktail
These classic gin cocktails date back to the 80s, when they were invented by Dick Bradsell. Shake together gin, simple syrup and lemon juice and strain it into a lowball glass filled with ice. Drizzle creme de mur, also known as blackberry liqueur, over the top so it starts to bleed in. You can garnish with a lemon wedge or some blackberries, or serve it as is. Nail the technique at mixology classes in Chicago or mixology classes in Jacksonville. For the best Halloween cocktails, instead of blackberries, add lychees with blueberries inside to make them look like floating eyes.
Simple Gin Cocktails
7. Tom Collins
These iconic and simple gin cocktails are perfectly refreshing, especially on a hot day. Made with lemon juice, sugar, carbonated water and your favorite gin, it’s often thought of as gin and sparkling lemonade. Don’t forget to serve it over ice in a proper Collins glass with a garnish of cherry and maybe a lemon slice, too.
8. Aviation
These particular gin cocktails really showcase the beautiful vegetal profile of the spirit. Made with gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur and creme de violette, it has a soft purple hue and floral flavors with a heavily perfumed profile. Serve it up with a simple maraschino cherry garnish. This stunning violet drink is perfect for parties or virtual happy hours because it’s fairly simple but unique in flavor and appearance.
9. French Blonde
One of the more modern gin cocktails to gain popularity, the French Blonde is elegant and minimalistic. Lillet Blanc combines with gin, fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, elderflower liqueur and lemon bitters for a floral sipper that’s light and refreshing. Thanks to its subtle golden hue, no garnish is necessary when served in a nice martini glass or coupe. To learn more about this modern drink and how to make it, check out mixology classes in Washington, D.C. or mixology classes in New Jersey.
10. Southside
Simple and classic gin cocktails that are reminiscent of the mojito, the Southside combines gin with lemon, lime and mint with a little simple syrup for balance. To create an even more refreshing version, add soda water for a Southside Fizz. It looks extra fancy served in a martini glass. It is quite similar to the Mint Julep, one of the best bourbon cocktails or even mezcal cocktails.
11. Sloe Gin Fizz
This special type of gin comes in handy for Thanksgiving cocktails or holiday drinks thanks to its spectacular red hue. It gets this trademark red color from blackthorn fruits, called sloes, which also impart a delicate berry flavor into the liquid. A bottle of this specialty gin, popular in Britain, makes a nice gift for cocktail lovers as well. For the Sloe Gin Fizz, you’ll want to combine your special gin with lemon juice, sugar syrup and an egg white with a sprig of rosemary, then strain into a high glass before stirring in club soda.
12. Gin and Cucumber Refresher
There are several variations of this delightful gin cocktail, but however you choose to make it will be perfect. Cucumbers are a natural pairing for this vegetal spirit, and add a refreshing lightness to any drink. Combine gin, simple syrup, cucumber (muddled or juiced) and freshly squeezed lemon. For an extra refreshing sip, add some sparkling water.
13. Greyhound
Sort of like the gin-based version of the Screwdriver, these gin cocktails require just two ingredients. Ideal for morning sipping, your favorite gin and fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice are a match made in heaven. With the addition of a salted rim, this becomes known as a Salty Dog.
Fruity Gin Cocktails
14. Singapore Sling
This is probably one of the fruitiest gin cocktails that bring a taste of the tropics to wherever you are. Pineapple juice, gin, cherry-flavored brandy, lime juice, grenadine, triple sec and Bénédictine are shaken over ice, then served with a garnish of pineapple and cherry. It’s certainly not the simplest thing to whip up, but it’s quite delicious.
15. Ramos Gin Fizz
Cream and alcohol can be a match made in heaven, and these fruity gin cocktails are prime examples. The Ramos Gin Fizz is like an alcoholic citrus cream soda, made with the juices of lemons and limes, orange flower water, vanilla extract, heavy cream, egg whites (for a foamy top) and soda water with your gin of choice. The drink originated in New Orleans by a local saloon owner named Henry Charles Ramos and for a while, it was known as the New Orleans Fizz.
16. Bicycle Thief
There are more than a few fruity gin cocktails that make use of the dream-pairing of citrus and gin, and this grapefruit-laden drink is no exception. Similar to a Negroni but not quite as strong, combine Campari, gin, grapefruit and lemon juice with club soda and simple syrup to make a Bicycle Thief. Serve it in a highball glass over ice.
17. Red Snapper
Technically, tomatoes are a fruit, and these gin cocktails are brimming with tomato and other spices. Essentially a Bloody Mary with gin, the base of this cocktail involves mixing tomato juice, Worcestershire, lemon juice, gin, Tabasco and some salt and pepper in a shaker. After everything is blended up, pour it into a highball glass and garnish with a stalk of celery and maybe a cherry tomato. You can get fancy with a celery salt rim or other toppings if you like.
18. Plum Gin Fizz
Sweet, ripe plums are the perfect complement to herbal gin, especially if you use a specialty version like Empress or Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice version. Make your homemade plum purée with just the stone fruits and a bit of sugar. Let it cool in a cocktail shaker and then add purée, gin, lemon juice and egg whites and shake. Strain or skip that step and combine with club soda and a sprig of lavender.
19. Pomegranate Crush
This bright red, fruit red cocktail is the perfect addition to a fall or winter party. Start by muddling six red seedless grapes along with a teaspoon of elderberry syrup. Add your ice cubes and gin, shake well and pour it into a highball glass filled with ice and top it with champagne and a sprinkle of pomegranate arils.
Sweet Gin Cocktails
20. Bee’s Knees
It doesn’t get much simpler than these sweet gin cocktails. Perfect at all times of the year thanks to the classic combination of lemon and honey, you probably have everything you need to shake up a Bee’s Knees right now. Start by making a simple honey syrup by stirring it into some warm water. After it cools, add a drizzle of your syrup with a squeeze of lemon juice and a pour of gin and shake with ice.
21. Pina Colada Martini
Swap the traditional rum cocktails for your gin of choice with these sweet, tropical gin cocktails. Pineapple juice and a dash of coconut rum combine with gin for a lighter version of a beloved frozen cocktail.
22. Raspberry Gin & Tonic
With a little foresight, you can enjoy these beautiful pink raspberry gin cocktails all summer long. Using a half-empty gin bottle or another container, add fresh raspberries to your gin (along with sugar if you like it sweet) and give them at least a week if not longer to infuse. Pour up a gin and tonic as usual. The berries shouldn’t stay in the liquid for more than a month, so strain them out and your pink gin will keep for a year. If you'd like to try something a little different, mix out the gin for whiskey for one fo the most unusual whiskey cocktails.
23. Fogcutter
These classic Tiki drinks are nice and sweet gin cocktails to enjoy on a warm day. Made with equal parts gin, brandy and rum along with orange juice, a splash of lemon juice, some almond syrup (or orgeat) and a dash of sherry. Serve it in a highball over ice.
24. Be Cool
These fruity gin cocktails require a little bit of effort but are worth every step as they make the perfect party drink. To start, you’ll need to infuse dried hibiscus flowers into blanc vermouth for 24 to 48 hours, then drain. You can hold onto the flowers for garnish or fancy ice cubes, so don’t throw them away. Then add infused vermouth, gin, ice cubes, simple syrup and Campari to your blender. Blend until smooth, then serve in a coupe glass, garnished with a vermouth-soaked flower. This fancy frozen cocktail is like a slightly sweeter and more floral Negroni with a twist.
25. Clementine Cocktail
These sweet-and-sour gin cocktails are perfect for summer gatherings. Made with just a few ingredients, you can pour one up in no time at all. No shaking is required, just a highball glass, filled with ice. First pour over gin, a little creme de cassis and finish with the juice of two clementines. Give it a stir with your straw and savor every last sip.
3-Ingredient Gin Cocktails
26. Gimlet
This citrusy 3-ingredient gin cocktail is always in fashion and best served ice cold. Lime, sugar and gin are things you probably have on hand. There is some controversy over the best way to make a gimlet, some sources say 50% Rose’s lime juice and 50% gin is the only way, while others lean towards gin with a splash of lime. It’s up to you how strong you like it.
27. Martini
The iconic martini is perhaps one of the most quintessential gin cocktails of all time, and it involves just a few ingredients. Its beautiful simplicity offers plenty of opportunity to make it your own, with the addition of olives, cocktail onions or perhaps the twist of a lemon. Made with gin, dry vermouth and the slightest dash of bitters, it’s best enjoyed so chilled that there are ice crystals on top.
28. Pink Lady
These sweet pink gin cocktails couldn’t be simpler, with just a few basic ingredients coming together for a fancy pink sipper. Add grenadine, lemon juice and egg white to your gin of choice and shake until frothy and perfect. Serve with a lemon twist over ice.
29. Dubonnet and Gin
The former Queen of England, along with her mother, loved a good Dubonnet and gin, especially as a way to stimulate their appetite before lunch. This simple gin cocktail combines gin with Dubonnet — a French fortified wine with notes of herbs, spices and black currants — and is garnished with a lemon peel. For a stronger drink, pour in a 1:1 ratio, but to keep it lighter, pour two parts Dubonnet to one part gin.
30. Tuxedo Cocktail
These easy and elegant gin cocktails are perfect for a night in or out. Similar to a martini, it features gin, dry sherry and orange bitters with an orange twist. It looks beautiful served in a couple or martini glass, chilled.
31. Gin Rickey
It truly doesn’t get any simpler than this 3-ingredient gin cocktail. It’s basically a gin and soda with a fancy name. Your choice of gin (or sometimes bourbon) is then mixed with club soda and lime juice, and served up in a highball glass.
This list of gin cocktails should be more than enough to get you curious about this unique spirit. It has a lot more complexity than vodka thanks to the herbal and botanical infusions, which really do affect how to mix and pair it. Back to the original question about gin and juice, you now can see that gin pairs wonderfully with so many fruits. Concord grape, grapefruit or pineapple are all equally delicious, especially with a few extra pairings.
For even more fun party ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
