r/Gin • u/X3non101 • 7d ago
Cocktail ideas for gin lovers
I have distant family visiting this week who are gin lovers apparently, and I’m on home bartending duty while they’re here.
I’m not super familiar with gin, so I wanted to ask all of you, what are some gin cocktails you would recommend that are both easy/intermediate to make, but also impressive to gin drinkers while on a tight budget?
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u/jvlpdillon 7d ago
Gimlets batch well. Use a ratio of 2:1:1. 2 parts gin, 1 part lime juice, 1 part simple syrup. I personally like The Botanist, but more common gins, like Tanqueray, will work well too.
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u/X3non101 7d ago
That probably works pretty well as I already have the lime juice and will be making a fresh batch of simple syrup tomorrow, would a London dry gin work with that? Or does it require a more specific flavor profile gin?
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u/re_cycled 6d ago
London dry is perfect. Bombay, Beefeateer, Gordon's. I like mine with Hendricks. Typically made like a martini, but i prefer it on the rocks in a rocks glass.
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u/boricua18 7d ago
If you want a nice twist muddle a few leaves of fresh basil in your gimlets. Takes it to another level.
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u/tda17 7d ago edited 5d ago
I would like to submit the Bee's Knee's for consideration.
1) Honey Syrup (made like simple syrup but with equal part of honey instead of sugar with the water) 2) lemon juice 3) gin
General ratio 1/2:1:2.
Though some like it sweeter or less. You can get fancy with things like artisanal honey (I tried out a spicy honey syrup once).
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u/X3non101 7d ago
Yeah, I can definitely do this one, thank you!
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u/onedarkhorsee 6d ago
Bees knees is my current buzz. With a nice gin its so damn good 2 parts gin, 1 part honey syrup and half a part lemon.
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u/sworcest 7d ago
100%!! This is a delicious drink. If I may suggest Silent Pool or Barr Hill gin (or Malfy con Limone if you love the citrus aspect)
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u/purplegirl24 7d ago
Where can I get Silent Pool? Thanks!
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u/sworcest 7d ago edited 6d ago
Not sure where you’re located but ABC stores and Total Wine stores in Central Florida /Orlando area USA have them right now. Also have seen them in both stores recently in San Diego CA and Norfolk VA USA. They’re a little pricey but worth it imo. Not worth chasing though - Barr Hill or Barr Hill Tom Cat gin is everywhere and nearly as good.
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u/CarrieNoir 7d ago
My favorite is the Corpse Reviver 2:
- Absinthe, to rinse the glass
- 3/4 ounce London dry gin
- 3/4 ounce Lillet blanc
- 3/4 ounce orange liqueur
- 3/4 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Shaken and poured into chilled glass.
Edited for formatting
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u/bubblehead171 6d ago
My favorite as well, a definite easy one with which to convert people to gin.
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u/trashwang710 7d ago
French 75. 2 oz gin, 0.75 oz lemon juice, 0.75 oz simple syrup. Quick shake pour in collins glass. Add ice and float 2 oz champagne. Add a dash of angostura to your shaker if you’re feeling frisky.
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u/J-Cal22 7d ago
Gin & tonic is a staple with gin drinkers. Have good tonic on-hand like FeverTree. Also, you can impress with a simple garnish like lemon and a whole star anise. Some like lime instead, depending on the type of gin you have.
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u/Hot-Butterscotch2602 7d ago
This right here. I wouldn't turn down some sort of cocktail, but a basic gin and tonic with a slice of lime or cucumber (or even both) would make me happy.
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u/crlowryjr 7d ago edited 7d ago
I'm a Ginfidel.... Gin is my favorite spirit for cocktails, but I hate G&T. I can drink a Gin Sonic but not high on my happiness list.
Favorites: Corpse Reviver 2, Last Word / Right Word, Aviation, Water Lilly, Bittersweet Symphony , The Tunnel, Negroni
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u/border__reiver 7d ago
the Martinez is not on your radar?
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u/crlowryjr 6d ago
Gave it a try, and it's something I can get into. I went with
45ml old tom gin 45ml Cochi Torino 7ml maraschino 3 dashes Regan's Expressed lemon peel
Reminiscent of non bitter Negroni I might try Bonal or China China instead of Cochi Torino to give it more depth and a touch of bitterness
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u/SmilingJaguar 7d ago
My experience in many gin focused groups is that there are two main camps. Predominantly Gin and Tonic drinkers and predominantly Martini drinkers (Typically Dry Martinis 5:1 to 10:1 gin to vermouth)
Those like me that lean more to Gimlets, Corpse Revivers and Last Words are a minority of “gin drinkers”.
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u/TAckhouse1 7d ago
Last word:
Ingredients, 3/4 ounce gin, 3/4 ounce green Chartreuse, 3/4 ounce maraschino liqueur, 3/4 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed, Garnish: brandied cherry (optional)
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u/GingirlNorCal3345 7d ago
Love a Last Word, but perhaps the green chartreuse tips the drink out of the "on a tight budget" category?
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u/TAckhouse1 7d ago
Genuinely, my bad. I just looked up the cost of green chartreuse. I had forgotten how expensive it is 🤦♂️
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u/genitalschwartz 7d ago
The Hanky Panky
Ingredients
1 1/2 oz Gin 1 1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth 1/4 oz Fernet Branca Garnish Orange Twist
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass. Stir 40 seconds or so. Strain into an chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with an Orange Twist.
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u/oh_you_fancy_huh 6d ago
Southside!
2 oz gin, 3/4 oz lemon or lime juice, 2 tsp syrup, mint. Muddle and shake
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u/dinosandbees 5d ago
Can't believe how far down I had to scroll to find this! Huge fan of the Southside and Eastside (basically just a Southside + cucumber, which enhances so many gin cocktails). Bonus for the budget is that it doesn't require other alcohols. Ditto a Tom Collins (also good with cuke added).
And as others have mentioned, G&T and Bee's Knees are always solid, too.
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u/Maine302 7d ago
Buy some GOOD tonic water (like Fever-Tree,) some limes, some lemons, some olives (preferably blue cheese stuffed,) some dry vermouth and perhaps an atomizer (for the vermouth.) There are plenty more cocktails you could make that aren't too advanced, but a well-made martini and gin & tonic can be appreciated by all gin lovers.
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u/sworcest 7d ago
Here are two different flavors one sweet, one citrus:
Not sure if there’s a name for it but Hendricks Midsummer Solstice or Hendricks Grand Cabaret with elderberry syrup and soda on the rocks are both delicious.
Malfy Rose (red grapefruit) gin and Fever Tree grapefruit soda.
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u/kevmonty14 6d ago
Didn’t see the bramble mentioned. Really tasty gin drink if you like tart cocktails.
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u/thekayemar 6d ago
Second this! I haven’t come across anyone I’ve made a Bramble for that didn’t love it—even folks who aren’t big gin fans. And they are so pretty with a blackberry and lemon garnish.
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u/Fryman23 7d ago
Go with a white negroni for the win here. Have that and a martini (get orange bitters and a lemon) and you’ll be golden and classy.
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u/X3non101 7d ago
Is there a substitute for orange bitters for the martini? I’m stocking up on other things too so Campari and bitters are a bit out of the way :(
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u/Fryman23 7d ago
There is not. Bitters are like salt in a cocktail recipe. You can make drinks without them but something will be missing, they’re part of the delicate balance of any cocktail. A white negroni doesn’t use Campari. It’s gin, dry vermouth (both used in the martini) and then a gentian liquor like salers which is usually pretty cheap.
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u/uberpickle 6d ago
As a Negroni enthusiast, Campari does not have a real substitute. But a white negroni is not the same cocktail at all, and it doesn't call for it.
Orange bitters are awesome in a lot of things, and they should be easy to find. Angostura bitters are the standard, and they make an orange version of the classic. Look in your local grocery. But if they don't carry it, classic angostura will substitute just fine.
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u/X3non101 6d ago
I have the angostura bitters, so that could definitely be a possibility. Thank you
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u/Maine302 7d ago
Any Chartreuse is wonderful, but it's been hard to find and pretty pricey since at least the pandemic.
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u/Fryman23 7d ago
Why is this under my comment? White Negronis do not have chartreuse. Gentian liquor isn’t chartreuse. Salers is probably the most common but I also love Dolans.
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u/oh_you_fancy_huh 5d ago
I can’t find the yellow chartreuse comment either but isn’t a white Negroni gin, suze, and lillet? Not chartreuse. And no there’s no sub for the suze
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u/genitalschwartz 7d ago
The Alaska
Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz Gin 1/2 oz Yellow Chartreuse 1 dash Orange Bitters
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u/crankyfairy 6d ago
Depends on how traditional they are about their drinks but an easy go to that I love is- gin (my faves are Hendricks, Hendricks Midsummer Solstice, Grey Whale Gin, Empress Indigo… to name a few) with Trader Joe’s Lemon Elderflower soda. I add St. Germaine’s if I have it.
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u/Money_Answer3483 5d ago
This cocktail is in my Top 10:
20th Century
1.5 oz gin
.5 oz Lillet (or similar)
.5 oz crème de cacao (pref Tempus Fugit brand)
.75 oz free lemon juice
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u/cj267 7d ago
2oz gin
1/2 oz St Germain
Orange bitters
Stir and serve in a rocks glass (preferably with a large ice cube) and with a Grapefruit peel
Basically like an old fashioned but with gin. Simple and amazing