24 Gin Cocktail Recipes to Make for Any Occasion

Kirsch Martini Tray and Mixer
Justin Walker

Gin is a staple on bar carts everywhere—it's a liquor that's usually infused with juniper berries, as well as other herbal botanicals such as mugwort, wild thyme, meadowsweet, chamomile, and birch. You may also find it infused with cucumber and rose petals. You can use the spirit to make classic gin cocktails such as a lime-based gimlet or a gin and tonic, or more creative concoctions like the Pink Gin Martini that's pictured here. This particular drink gets its soft pink hue from maraschino cherries and its delicate fruity flavor from cherry liqueur, blanc vermouth, and aromatic bitters. This recipe serves two, which makes it just right for serving on Valentine's Day or date night at home.

We also have a handy how-to guide for making a well-balanced gin and tonic. Our go-to recipe calls for three parts tonic water and one part gin, plus plenty of ice and fresh lime for a garnish. Of course, feel free to get creative and add cucumber slices or a lemon twist for a refreshing dash of brightness. We're sharing additional aromatic and flavorful versions of the timeless gin and tonic that are made with unexpected garnishes like fresh basil or rosemary.

Gin also pairs beautifully with St. Germain, a French elderflower liqueur that's bursting with a fresh, floral, and slightly fruity aroma. It perks up gin in a way that makes you immediately want to sip it at a summer garden party. We have gin cocktail recipes that pair the two together for one delicious drink.

Whether you consider yourself a pro mixologist or a beginner bartender, these gin cocktail recipes will instantly strengthen your shaking and stirring skills.

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Gin and Tonic

tonic water being poured into glass filled with ice
Courtesy of Fever Tree

Master the art of one of the most classic drinks of all time with this step-by-step guide for the gin cocktail.

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French 75

French 75 recipe
Bryan Gardner

If you're looking for something elegant to sip on, make this gin cocktail recipe that's more than 100 years old. Shake up gin, lemon juice, and homemade simple syrup in a cocktail shaker; pour into a champagne flute and top with bubbly.

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Tom Collins

tom-collins-cocktail-102882438.jpg
Emily Kate Roemer

For a refreshing, adults-only twist on lemonade, make this gin cocktail using only four ingredients—gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and seltzer water.

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Aperol Gin Punch

farm punch
Paola + Murray

We love serving this pretty-in-pink punch at a bridal shower or birthday party. This gin cocktail gets its bright color from Aperol, an Italian aperitif, which is mixed with gin, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, orange blossom water, and basil.

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The Negroni

negroni cocktail
Spencer Staats

If you can't travel to Italy, you can still enjoy a taste of the country's unofficial cocktail with this gin-based recipe—all it calls for is the juniper-infused liquor as well as Campari and vermouth.

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Gin Julep

gin julep cocktails
Sidney Bensimon

Instead of the usual bourbon, we're adding gin to this Derby Day favorite. Superfine sugar brings a little sweetness and fresh mint leaves perks it up with a cooling effect.

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Aviation

aviation-cocktail-102882416.jpg
Emily Kate Roemer

The secret to this pale purple gin cocktail is crème de violette, which has a pronounced floral flavor and eye-catching color.

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Bitter Martini

Bitter Martini
Seth Smoot

A large cocktail onion and pimento-stuffed olives bring a sharp, slightly spicy flavor to this two-ingredient gin cocktail recipe.

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Lillet Rose Spring Cocktail

lillet-rose-cocktails-mld108276.jpg

If you've never made a cocktail with Lillet before, you're in for a real treat. The lovely fortified French wine is packed with botanicals, which make it a delightful complement in this grapefruit and gin cocktail recipe.

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Strawberry-Cucumber Gin-Elderflower Spritz

strawberry cucumber gin elderflower spritz
William Abranowicz

There's no drink we'd rather sip on outdoors than this gin cocktail. Strawberries and cucumbers bring crisp, juicy flavor to the big-batch beverage, and St. Germain adds a delightful floral touch.

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Gin Dandy

Gin Dandy

Pomegranate liqueur introduces tart flavor and a deep red color in this gin cocktail recipe that gets even more brightness from a combination of lemon juice and lemon wedges.

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St-Germain, Gin, and Plum Cocktail

cocktails gin plum llillet cucumber

All you need are three ingredients to make one strong sip: gin, St. Germain (or any other elderflower liqueur), and thin slices of fresh plums.

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Campari, Gin, and Orange

mld106339_1210_martini017.jpg

Clement Creole Shrubb is a spiced orange liqueur that binds bitter Campari and fragrant gin in this cocktail.

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Elderflower Sour

elderflower sour
Charles Masters

There's nothing too sour or too sweet about this gin cocktail recipe—it's a refreshing blend of homemade Lemon-Mint simple syrup, plus gin and elderflower liqueur. It's just the thing to sip on outdoors as soon as the flowers begin to bloom.

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Rosemary Gimlet

rosemary gimlet and bitter bee cocktail
Justin Walker

Both fresh rosemary and an infused simple syrup highlight the subtle earthy tones of gin in this cocktail recipe that serves one.

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Pink Gin Fizz

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This gin cocktail recipe will instantly transport you to the tropics no matter where you are, thanks to a sunset-inspired combination of orange juice and pink grapefruit juice.

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Basil French 75

Basil French 75

Elevate the earthy flavor of gin in this effervescent gin cocktail recipe using fresh basil leaves, which are muddled with sugar before the rest of the ingredients are added.

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Pineapple Gin "Kir"

pineapple gin kir
Stephen Lewis

We often think of pineapple as being the perfect pairing for rum-based cocktails, but you'll be surprised—and delighted—by how the juicy fruit brightens this beverage.

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Boozy Frozen Lemonade

frozen gin terragon lemonade
Christopher Testani

Keep this big-batch, frosty gin cocktail recipe on hand for a hot summer day. Preparing the cocktail starts by making a tarragon simple syrup and then mixing it with lemon juice and water; the mixture is frozen and then blended into a refreshing slushie.

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Gin Gimlet

mld106343_1110_gimlet.jpg

Our classic gimlet pairs gin with lime juice and a lime wedge in this timeless cocktail recipe.

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Cucumber Southside Fizz

cucumber fizz
Emily Kate Roemer

Dress up this spinoff on a traditional Southside cocktail with cucumber slices and our homemade cucumber-lemon gin.

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Gordon's Breakfast Cocktail

gordons garden cocktail
CHELSEA CAVANAUGH

If you love a Bloody Mary, you'll love this spicy gin cocktail recipe that gets a serious kick from prepared horseradish and a homemade jalapeño simple syrup.

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Tomolive Martini

Tomolive brine, which is the spicy pickling brine used for green olives, is used in this gin and vermouth cocktail.

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