Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast crafting concoctions at home or a professional bartender seeking to impress and satisfy discerning customers, having a robust repertoire of gin cocktails is a must.
From the sophisticated simplicity of the Martini to the complex herbal notes of a Last Word, the drinks we are about to explore are far more than mere combinations of spirits and mixers.
Each has its own personality, its own story, and its own special place in the cannon of gin cocktails. They are icons.
For drinkers, exploring and appreciating their distinct flavour profiles is to truly discover the full potential of gin. For bartenders, they are ‘must memorise’ recipes as consumers expect to be able to order them off menu. Moreover, knowing how each is made and mastering them will allow you to riff of them and invent your own versions – just like how so many of the modern classics started.
So here we go! These are the gin cocktails (beyond the Gin & Tonic) you’ll want to have up your sleeve, ready to mix, shake, and stir…
The Martini
Sophistication in a glass, the Martini is the quintessential gin cocktail, embodying simplicity and elegance.
It pairs gin with dry vermouth and can be garnished with either a citrus twist or an olive. Its flavour profile is greatly determined by both the ratio of each part and the specific profiles they have.
The Martini tends to be a highly subjective drink – whether you prefer it dry (less vermouth), wet (lots of vermouth) or dirty (with olive brine) it’s all about individual expression.
This cocktail is for the confident and discerning drinker who appreciates an iconic classic.
Meanwhile, the Martini is essential for bartenders to master for two key reasons.
The first is it’s versatility and ability to be customised. Even if you stick to the absolute basics – whether it’s dry, wet, dirty, or with a twist (and forget the likes of bitters etc.) understanding the nuances of Martini preparation allows bartenders to cater to diverse preferences. You need to as well – as each gin will be unique and need a tailored approach to make sing.
The second reason the Martini should be a staple in any bartender’s repertoire is the historical significance. The Martini is an iconic cocktail with such a rich history. Mastering it not only connects bartenders to a significant part of cocktail culture but also enhances their credibility.
Let’s be honest here – you can’t really be trusted behind the stick if you don’t know how to make one…
The Basil Smash
The Basil Smash is a relatively modern addition to the gin cocktail pantheon, having only emerged in the late 2000s, but its refreshing and vibrant flavours have quickly made it a favourite.
It’s a herbal sensation, muddling fresh basil leaves with gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. This cocktail is a lively dance of zesty, sweet, and aromatic notes, made visually arresting by its verdant green hue from the muddled basil.
The Basil Smash is the perfect choice for those who appreciate fresh, garden-inspired flavours in their glass, offering a truly invigorating twist on gin’s botanical character.
As for bartenders, the Basil Smash is useful to master due to the way it showcases how fresh ingredients can transform a drink. Harnessing fresh herbs is a skill that’s crucial for creating contemporary cocktails that emphasises fresh, garden-to-glass concepts. Master this and you become infinitely better at making many other drinks.
The Negroni
The Negroni is a bold and bittersweet Italian classic that combines gin, bitters (often Campari), and sweet vermouth in equal measures.
Given it’s popularity – it needs no introduction. But for the uninitiated – it’s renowned for its rich ruby hue and bold biter-sweet flavour profile. Typically it’s garnished with an orange slice or twist. The Negroni is for the bold, the sophisticated, and those with a taste for the extraordinary. It is equal parts delicious, boozy and satisfying.
When making a Negroni, bartenders should pay close attention to the quality and flavour profile of each ingredient. Their equal proportions mean each component significantly impacts the overall flavour and balance of the drink.
The Martinez
The Martinez is a tantalising precursor to the modern Martini. This cocktail pairs gin with sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and a dash of orange bitters. The result is a complex, sweet, and slightly bitter concoction.
With its deep amber colour and nuanced flavours, the Martinez is for the curious and history-oriented drinker, looking to delve into the heritage of gin cocktails.
This link to the past is why mastering the Martinez is crucial for bartenders. Understanding and preparing this classic cocktail connects bartenders to the deep history of mixology, enriching their craft and knowledge.
For both drinker and barkeep, it also acts as a foil into exploring the use of Genever and sub-styles of gin like Old Tom.
The French 75
Named after a World War I artillery piece, the French 75 packs a punch. It’s a sparkling cocktail that blends gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar and Champagne.
The result is a delightful symphony of crisp, citrusy, and effervescent notes, finished with a subtle botanical depth. This cocktail is perfect for celebrations and those who appreciate the finer things in life, and aren’t afraid to celebrate with fizz that packs a boozy punch.
If you are a bartender – the French 75 needs to be in your repertoire. It’s known for its elegance and association with celebrations. Being able to nail just the right doses in your French 75 enables you to offer a sophisticated, sparkling cocktail that’s perfect for special occasions.
It’s also a good cocktail to hone your balance between strength and elegance. The French 75 combines the strength of gin with the lightness and effervescence of Champagne and getting it right sharpens your overall skills.
The Tom Collins
Bright, bubbly, and refreshing, the Tom Collins is a timeless thirst quencher. Made with gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar, and soda water, it offers a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavours.
Served in a tall glass over ice, this cocktail is casual yet invigorating. One to have up your sleeve on a hot day, and a great cocktail for Flavoured Gins.
The Bramble
The Bramble is a British classic that showcases gin in a fruity context. It features gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and a drizzle of blackberry liqueur.
The result is a cocktail that’s tart, sweet, and delicately balanced. It’s visually stunning too, with its dark “bramble” bleeding into the rest of the drink.
Created in the 1980’s, the Bramble can be made as a faithful recreation. Meanwhile, adapting it using home made liqueurs / fresh seasonal ingredients can be a great way to showcase your creativity.
This makes the Bramble a perfect example of how traditional drinks can be either presented in their timeless recipes, or adapted with modern elements to create appealing, contemporary cocktails.
The Aviation
The Aviation is a pre-Prohibition era cocktail that tastes as ethereal as it looks. It blends gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de Violette and lemon juice to produce a pale, cloudy cocktail that echoes the sky at twilight.
Its flavour is a unique blend of floral, sweet, and tart notes, making it perfect for the whimsical drinker. You might not get many being ordered off menu at the bar, but when you do, you’ll want to be able to ensure your’s really takes off and hits all the high notes.
The Corpse Reviver No. 2
Despite its ominous name, the Corpse Reviver No. 2 is a classic cocktail intended to bring the dead (or hungover) back to life.
It’s an equal-parts mix of gin, lemon juice, Lillet Blanc, and Cointreau, with a dash of absinthe for a subtle yet soul stirring note. It’s bright, complex and just a touch herbal – an invigorating cocktail for the brave and lively.
The Corpse Reviver No. 2 should be part of a bartender’s repertoire because it embodies the art of classic cocktail revival and balance. It’s a perfect example of the early 20th-century cocktail renaissance. As a result, the Corpse Reviver No. 2 is not just a drink, but a piece of cocktail history.
It also challenges bartenders to marry complex, bold flavours. Getting it right showcases an individual’s skill in balancing recipes with precision and modern flair.
The Clover Club
Named after a pre-Prohibition gentlemen’s club in Philadelphia, the Clover Club is a balance of strength and delicacy.
It combines gin, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and an egg white, creating a cocktail that is tart, sweet, and smooth with a luxurious frothy cap.
The Clover Club is a must-have in every bartender’s arsenal because it subverts expectations. It looks pretty and pink, but it’s anything but.
It’s the best recipe when the occasion calls for something light and fluffy on the eye but the drinker wants something with depth and character to taste. Overlook it at your peril!
The Last Word
The Last Word is an equal-parts cocktail that hails from the Prohibition era. Its mix of gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice creates a bright, herbal, and slightly tart flavour profile.
Its name is befitting for drinkers who enjoy a bold, complex cocktail that leaves a lasting impression.
Meanwhile, bartenders should know and serve the Last Word cocktail because it is a testament to the art of pairing strong, distinct flavours. It demonstrates a bartender’s skill in creating a harmonious blend from potent, individual tastes. And, well, it’s just really delicious too…
The White Lady
The White Lady is a stylish and elegant cocktail with a velvety texture. It’s made from gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, and egg white, offering a delicate blend of citrus and juniper notes with a smooth, frothy finish.
Its sophistication and smoothness make it a favourite for drinkers who appreciate subtlety and refinement.
From the other side of the bar – the White Lady is a classic cocktail from the 1920s and it has a timeless appeal.
Combine these elements with the fact that it is less frequently seen on menus (that tend to list riffs on it), and you can see why it’s a great cocktail to make for someone who gives you carte blanche to surprise them.
When making a White Lady, bartenders should focus on achieving a perfect emulsification of the egg white. This requires skill in shaking techniques to ensure a smooth, silky texture that elevates the drink’s overall quality and presentation.
Even in this exploration of a dozen essential gin cocktails (there are dozens and dozens more!) – it’s easy to see the versatility and rich history of gin in the world of mixology.
From the timeless elegance of the Martini to the refreshing zest of the Basil Smash, each cocktail offers a unique expression of gin’s botanical character. These iconic drinks are not only staples for bartenders but also provide a delightful journey for enthusiasts to appreciate the nuanced flavours being made by craft distillers.
Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, mastering these cocktails ensures a deeper understanding and appreciation of gin’s role in the art of cocktail making. It shows you the potential gin has as a spirit!
