Gin is the most versatile spirit on the back bar. Its botanical, juniper-led character can carry a drink that is bone-dry and spirit-forward, or one t
Gin is the most versatile spirit on the back bar. Its botanical, juniper-led character can carry a drink that is bone-dry and spirit-forward, or one that is long, citrusy and refreshing. That range is exactly why gin sits at the heart of so many classic cocktails.
There are dozens of great gin drinks. But if you only learn five, learn these. Between them they cover every style worth knowing , a long highball, a stirred classic, a bitter aperitivo, a sparkling celebration drink, and a tall refresher. Master these and you can make a gin cocktail for any occasion, any guest, and any mood.
Here are our five best gin cocktails, with the exact recipe, the right gin to reach for, and the one detail that makes each one better.
A quick word on gin styles
Before the recipes, it helps to know that not all gin is the same, because the style you choose changes the drink.
- London Dry is the classic, juniper-forward style. Think Tanqueray or Beefeater. It is the safe, correct choice for almost every cocktail on this list.
- Plymouth is slightly softer and earthier than London Dry, and a lovely option in a Martini or Negroni.
- Contemporary or “New Western” gins (like Hendrick’s, with its rose and cucumber) lead with botanicals other than juniper. They shine in a Gin & Tonic but can get lost in a bitter drink like a Negroni.
- Old Tom is a slightly sweeter, old-fashioned style that is excellent in a Tom Collins or a Martinez.
For four of the five drinks below, a good London Dry is the answer. We will flag the exceptions.
1. Gin & Tonic
The drink that made gin famous, and still the one most people reach for. It looks effortless, and it is. A a handful of small choices separate a great G&T from a watery one.
- 2 oz (50 ml) gin
- 4–5 oz (120–150 ml) tonic water
- Lime or lemon wedge, or a slice of cucumber
Fill a large glass to the top with ice. Pour the gin over, then add the tonic slowly to keep the bubbles. Stir once, gently, and garnish.
The detail that matters: use plenty of ice and good tonic. A glass full of ice melts slower than a half-full one, so your drink stays cold and crisp rather than going flat and warm. A contemporary gin like Hendrick’s is a great pick here. The G&T is the one drink where its softer botanicals really sing. See our full Gin and Tonic guide for garnish ideas.
2. Dry Martini
The most iconic cocktail in the world, and a true test of good gin. With only two ingredients there is nowhere to hide, so use a gin you genuinely enjoy.
- 2½ oz gin
- ½ oz dry vermouth
- Lemon twist or olives to garnish
Stir the gin and vermouth with plenty of ice for about 30 seconds, until very cold, then strain into a chilled coupe or Martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or olives.
The detail that matters: stir, do not shake. Shaking a clear, spirit-forward drink makes it cloudy and over-dilutes it. The classic ratio above is a fairly dry Martini; for a wetter, more approachable version, use 2 oz gin to 1 oz vermouth. A dash of orange bitters is a lovely optional addition. See our Martini recipe for the full method and variations.
3. Negroni
Equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, and the drink that converts more people to bitter cocktails than any other. It is simple to make and impossible to forget.
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
Stir all three with ice and strain into a rocks glass over a large fresh ice cube. Express an orange peel over the top and drop it in.
The detail that matters: the orange peel is not optional. Squeezing the peel over the surface releases citrus oils that lift the whole drink and balance the bitterness of the Campari. Use a juniper-forward London Dry here so the gin holds its own against the Campari. See our Negroni recipe for more.
4. French 75
The celebration drink. Gin and Champagne sounds extravagant, and it is, but the result is bright, elegant and dangerously easy to drink.
- 1 oz gin
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 3 oz Champagne or dry sparkling wine, to top
Shake the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup with ice, then strain into a chilled Champagne flute. Top with Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.
The detail that matters: add the Champagne last, and do not shake it. Shake only the gin, lemon and syrup, then pour the sparkling wine on top to keep all the bubbles. Use a dry sparkling wine, prosecco or cava work perfectly and cost a fraction of Champagne.
5. Tom Collins
A tall, fizzy, lemony refresher that is essentially a sparkling gin sour. It is the gin drink to make on a hot afternoon.
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- Soda water, to top
Shake the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup with ice, then strain into a tall Collins glass filled with fresh ice. Top with soda water, stir once, and garnish with a lemon slice and a cherry.
The detail that matters: fresh lemon juice is everything in a Collins. Bottled juice tastes flat and slightly bitter, and there is no sugar or strong mixer to hide it behind. This is also a great place for an Old Tom gin if you have one, as its touch of sweetness suits the style.
How to choose which one to make
- Easy and refreshing: Gin & Tonic or Tom Collins.
- Spirit-forward and serious: Dry Martini.
- Bitter and complex (before dinner): Negroni.
- Celebrating something: French 75.
If you are building a gin home bar from scratch, start with one good London Dry gin, a bottle of tonic, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth and Campari. With just those, plus fresh lemon, you can make four of these five tonight.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular gin cocktail? The Gin & Tonic is by far the most popular gin drink worldwide, followed by the Negroni and the Dry Martini, both of which have surged in popularity in recent years.
What is the best gin for cocktails? A good London Dry gin like Tanqueray or Beefeater is the most versatile choice and works in almost every classic gin cocktail. Save softer, contemporary gins like Hendrick’s for a Gin & Tonic where their botanicals can shine.
What is the easiest gin cocktail for beginners? The Gin & Tonic, because you build it straight in the glass with no shaking or measuring tricks. After that, the Tom Collins and Negroni are both very forgiving.
Should you shake or stir gin cocktails? Stir cocktails that are all spirits and should stay clear, like the Martini and Negroni. Shake cocktails that contain citrus juice, like the French 75 and Tom Collins, because shaking blends and chills them properly.
What three bottles should a new gin drinker buy? A London Dry gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Those three make a Negroni on their own, and the gin alone covers the G&T and Martini.
COMMENTS