The Ultimate Guide to Mixing Popular Gin Cocktails at Home

At 16, I landed a part-time job as a cocktail bartender at a high-end restaurant in Adelaide, South Australia. This experience ignited my life-long passion for fox mixology and introduced me to the endless possibilities of gin cocktails. Today, gin cocktails remain among the most classic and versatile drinks in the world, with endless combinations of flavours to explore.

In this ultimate guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know to mix up some of the most popular gin cocktails at home, from the history of gin to essential tools and ingredients, classic and modern cocktail recipes, and tips and tricks for perfecting your techniques.

History of Gin

Gin, a spirit made from juniper berries and botanicals, has been enjoyed for centuries, particularly in the UK where it originated. As cocktails culture evolved in the 20th century, gin cocktails become more complex and creative, with mixologists experimenting with new ingredients and flavours.

Today, gin cocktails are more popular than ever, thanks to the resurgence of classic cocktails and craft distilleries producing unique gins. Mastering the art of mixing your own gin cocktails at home is special, even though ordering them at a fancy bar is always fun.

Types of Gin

Before we dive into the recipes, it’s important to understand the different types of gin that are available. Here are five of the most common:

London Dry Gin

The most popular type of gin, with a juniper-forward flavour and a dry finish.

Plymouth Gin

A lees common style of gin that is sweeter and less juniper-forward than London Dry gin.

Old Tom Gin

A sweetened gin that was popular in the 19th century and is now enjoying a revival among mixologists.

Genever Gin

A Dutch style of gin that is maltier and less juniper-forward than London Dry gin.

New American Gin

A relatively new style of gin that emphasize citrus and floral notes over juniper.

Essential  tools and ingredients for mixing gin cocktails

Now that you know your gin, it's time to talk about the essential tools and ingredients you'll need to mix up some delicious cocktails at home. Here are some basic tools and ingredients you should have on hand:

Shaker

A metal or glass shaker is essential for properly mixing ingredients and achieving the right temperature and dilution.

Strainer

A strainer is necessary for removing ice and any solids from your cocktail.

Jigger

A jigger is used for measuring ingredients accurately and consistently.

Vermouth

A fortified wine that is essential in classic gin cocktails like the Martini and Negroni

Bitters

A concentrated flavouring agent that adds complexity and depth to cocktails.

Citrus

Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice is essential in many gin cocktails, adding a bright and acidic balance to the sweet and floral gin.

Classic gin cocktails and their Recipes

In the late 1960s, cocktails were all the rage and customers were eager to impress their significant others by ordering the latest and greatest drinks. As a bartender, I witnessed this firsthand. Now, let me share some classic gin cocktails that have stood the test of time. Get ready to impress your guests with these timeless recipes.

1. Gin and Tonic

This classic cocktails is made with:

• 2 oz gin with ice
• Tonic water
• A squeeze of lime

Directions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add 2 ounces of gin.
3. Top with tonic water.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

2. Martini

Another classic, the Martini is made with:

• 2 oz gin
• 1.2 oz dry vermouth
• Lemon twist or olive for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill  shaker with ice.
2. Add gin and vermouth to the shaker.
3. Stir for 30 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a child cocktails glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist or olive.

3. Negroni

This Italian cocktail is made with:

• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• Orange peel for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth to the shaker.
3. Stir for 30 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with an orange peel.

4. Gimlet

This gin cocktail is made with:

• 2 oz gin
• 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
• 3/4 oz simple syrup
• Lime wheel or twist for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice
2. Add gin, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker
3. Shake for 10-15 seconds
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass
5. Garnish with a lime wheel or twist

5. Aviation

This elegant cocktail is made with:

• 2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz maraschino liqueur
• 1/4 oz creme de violette
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• Cherry for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, maraschino liqueur, crem de violette, and lemon juice to the shaker.
3. Shake for 10-15 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a cherry.

6. Tom Collins

This refreshing cocktails is made with:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Club soda
• Lemon wheel for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake for 10-15 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a Collins glass filled with ice.
5. Top with club soda.
6. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

7. Corpse Reviver No. 2

This classic cocktail is a bit complex, made with:

• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz Cointreau
• 1 oz Lillet Blanc
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• Absinthe rinse
• Orange peel for garnish

Directions:

1. Rinse a chilled cocktail glass with absinthe
2. Fill a shaker with ice.
3. Add gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, and lemon juice to the shaker.
4. Shake for 10-15 seconds.
5. Strain the mixture into the prepared cocktail glass.
6. Garnish with an orange peel.

8. French 75

This classic is made with:

• 2 oz gin
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Champagne or sparking wine
• Lemon twist for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake for 10-15 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a Champagne flute.
5. Tip with Champagne or sparkling wine.
6. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Modern Gin Cocktails and their Recipes

While classic gin cocktails are always great choices, there are plenty of modern gin cocktails that are worth exploring as well. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. The Last Word

This prohibition-era cocktail is made with:

• 3/4 oz gin
• 3/4 oz green Chartreuse
• 3/4 oz maraschino liqueur
• 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
• Lime wheel for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice to the shaker.
3. Shake for 10-15 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a lime wheel.

2. Bee's Knees

This cocktail is made with:

• 2 oz gin
• 3/4 oz honey syrup
• 3/4  oz fresh lemon juice
• Lemon twist for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill the shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, honey syrup, and lemon juice to the shaker.
3. Shake for 10-15 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist.

3. Gin Fizz

This classic cocktail is made with:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Sode water
• Lemon wedge for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake for 10-15 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a Collins glass filled with ice.
5. Top with soda water.
6. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

4. Southside

This cocktail is made with:

• 2 oz gin
• 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
• 3/4 oz simple syrup
• Fresh mint leaves
• Lime wheel for garnish

Directions:

1. In the shaker, muddle a few mints leaves with the simple syrup.
2. Fill the shaker with ice.
3. Add gin and lime juice to the shaker.
4. Shake fo 10-15 seconds.
5. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
6. Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wheel.

5. White Lady

This cocktail is made with:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz Cointreau
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• Lemon twist for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, Cointreau, and lemon juice to the shaker.
3. Shake for 10-15 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist.

6. Clover Club

This cocktail is made with:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz raspberry syrup
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 egg white
• Fresh raspberries for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and egg white to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

7. Bramble

This cocktail is made with:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz blackberry liqueur
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Fresh blackberries for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, blackberry liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake for 10-15 seconds.
4. Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice.
5. Strain the mixture over the ice.
6. Garnish with fresh blackberries.

8. The Vesper

This cocktail was famously created by James Bond in the novel "Casino Royale."

This is made with:

• 3 oz gin
• 1 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz Lillet Blanc
• Lemon twist for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc to the shaker.
3. Shake for 10-15 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Tips and Tricks for perfecting your gin cocktails

Now that you have some great cocktails recipes under your belt, here are a few tips and tricks to take your home bartending to the next level:

Use fresh ingredients

Always use fresh citrus juice, and consider making your own syrups and bitters for added depth and flavour.

Experiment with different gins

Try different types of gin to find the one that suits your taste, and don't be afraid to experiment with new brands and flavours.

Balance your ingredients

Be mindful of balancing sweet, sour, and bitter flavours in your cocktails to achieve a well-rounded taste.

Don't over dilute

Be careful not to over-dilute your cocktails by shaking or stirring for too long. Aim for 10-15 seconds of shaking or stirring, depending on the cocktail.

Conclusion

Making gin cocktails at home is a fun and creative way to impress your friends and family. With a few basic tools and ingredients, you can easily mix up classic gin cocktails like the Martini and Negroni, or try your hand at modern recipes like The Last Word and Aviation.

I hope this ultimate guide has inspired you to shake things up in your own home bar. With these recipes and tips, you can confidently mix up delicious and refreshing gin cocktails that are sure to impress your guests. So grab your cocktail shaker, pick your favorite recipe, and get ready to sip on some gin goodness.

Visit Flaschengeist.com.au for more cocktail ideas!