21 Gin Cocktails You Need to Try

Most gin lovers are familiar with the classic gin cocktails, like a G&T, dirty martini, Tom Collins, gimlet, or gin fizz. While these drinks are delicious bar staples, you can take your gin cocktails a step further with the drinks below.

Check out 21 of the most innovative and heavenly gin cocktails you probably haven’t tried yet!

Jump to:

• 1. English Garden
• 2. Cucumber Melon Gin Spritzer
• 3. Cucumber and Coriander G&T
• 4. Plum Basil Gin Fizz
• 5. Pear Vanilla Gin Fizz
• 6. Pomegranate Hula Breeze
• 7. Royal Spritz
• 8. Rosemary Gimlet
• 9. White Lady
• 10. Gin Sour
• 11. Earl Grey Martini
• 12. Pimm's Cup
• 13. English Rose Martini
• 14. Bee’s Knees
• 15. Singapore Sling
• 16. British Mule
• 17. Greyhound
• 18. Blueberry Collins
• 19. English Breakfast
• 20. Elderflower Gin Spritz
• 21. British Bloody Mary
• Final Note
• 📖 Recipe

1. English Garden

The English garden cocktail has a vibrant and daint flavor that is a lovely drink for a summer breakfast or dinner. It consists of gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice. It’s traditionally garnished with fresh mint leave and cucumber strips for an upscale presentation that matches its sunny flavor.

2. Cucumber Melon Gin Spritzer

Many people enjoy the delicate and refreshing flavor of floral gins, and nothing brings out those invigorating flavors better than cucumber and melon. Melon has a succulent sweetness that matches the watery coolness of the cucumbers. Combining these ingredients with gin brings you a biting and energizing cocktail, balancing sweet and earthy.

3. Cucumber and Coriander G&T

What gin lover hasn’t had the iconic combination of gin and tonic? This recipe will introduce you to an innovative and gourmet version of this quintessential gin drink. The peppery and slightly citrus coriander flavor elevates the herbal notes in the gin, and the coolness of the cucumber helps dull some of the bitter flavors, so everything melds together beautifully.

4. Plum Basil Gin Fizz

The gin fizz is a classic and beloved gin cocktail, but this recipe puts a tasty twist on the traditional gin fizz. With fresh basil leaves and muddled plum, this drink has a rich flavor with herbaceous notes. Topped with seltzer, it has a light bubble feel and a hint of citrus from a lime wedge.

5. Pear Vanilla Gin Fizz

This twist on the gin fizz cocktail achieves a more complex and toasty flavor profile that is unique in gin cocktails. It’s one of the more unusual gin cocktails, as the slightly spicy and sweet vanilla syrup develops the floral and herbaceous notes in the gin, giving you a simultaneously warm and refreshing cocktail. It’s the perfect cocktail for a Thanksgiving dinner or autumn evening when pears are in season.

6. Pomegranate Hula Breeze

The deep, juicy flavor of pomegranate perfectly complements the sharp and herby flavor of gin. This combination, paired with ginger, pineapple, and orange flavors, brings out the tropical elements in pomegranate and highlights the gin brilliantly. It has a complex and irresistible flavor, and it can work with a variety of hard liquors.

7. Royal Spritz

The royal spritz is a stunning cocktail ideal for people who love chilled rose wine. It features lemon juice, grapefruit, and elderflower. This recipe calls for sparkling rose and Bombay Sapphire, giving the drink an upscale flavor that is easy to achieve.

8. Rosemary Gimlet

This recipe is a twist on the classic gimlet. Gimlets are a simple combination of gin, lime, and simple syrup, which can be quite bitter and sharp. Adding rosemary to this classic cocktail brings it to another level, adding an herbaceous and cozy element to the flavor profile.

9. White Lady

The white lady is an iconic gin cocktail that any gin lover should try once in their life. It has a creamy, elegant appearance with a foamy top and milky color. It offers a delightful orange flavor and an egg-white topping that develops a velvety mouth feel for a top-notch drinking experience.

10. Gin Sour

Whiskey sours are the more popular version of this drink, but gin works equally well with the ingredients. As the name suggests, the cocktail has a puckering effect with a deep flavor from the aromatic bitters. With lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg-white foam, it strikes the perfect balance between tart and sweet with a silky smooth texture.

11. Earl Grey Martini

An Earl Grey martini is a bit more effort than other gin cocktails, but the floral, earthy flavor is worth the extra effort! The drink has a flowery and citrus taste punctuated with the rich bitterness of black tea. The notes of lavender perfectly enhance the herbaceous gin, and the egg white foam gives it a luxurious feel.

12. Pimm's Cup

Technically, Pimm’s No.1 is a gin-based liqueur, not a hard gin liquor. So this cocktail is ideal for someone who wants a more subtle gin flavor and less alcohol. A Pimm’s Cup is an iconic drink made with Pimm’s No. 1, a sweet carbonated drink, like ginger ale or San Pellegrino, lemon juice, and an excess of fruit or herb garnishes.

13. English Rose Martini

This colorful variation on the classic gin martini is a bright and mouthwatering cocktail that shows the sweeter side of London Dry gin. It makes for a tasty aperitif or nightcap featuring apricot brandy, dry vermouth, lemon, and grenadine. The sweet, syrupy taste of grenadine is subdued by the fruit brandy and biting dry vermouth, offering a well-balanced flavor that will awaken your tastebuds.

14. Bee’s Knees

The bee’s knees cocktail is a sophisticated and refined gin cocktail that highlights the distinct and cozy flavor of honey. This recipe uses honey syrup, but you can swap it out for honey liqueur, like Barginger, or just a drizzle of raw honey. The cocktail has a melodious and delectable combination of tart lemon and sweet honey.

15. Singapore Sling

The Singapore sling has a long list of ingredients but is worth the effort if you want a complex and fruity gin cocktail. It consists of the elaborate and spicy taste of Benedictine liqueur with the sweet simplicity of Grand Marnier. Along with an assortment of fruit juices and a dash of Angostura bitters, the gin drink offers a complex tropical taste.

16. British Mule

This British version of a mule swaps out vodka for gin, giving it a more complex and flowery flavor, depending on what gin you use. London Dry gin will add a biting but muted flavor. But Hendrick’s will bring a floral and herby taste. No matter what gin you prefer, this cocktail is refreshing and ideal for a scorching hot summer day.

17. Greyhound

One of the best classic gin cocktails is the greyhound, which is not as popular or well-known as it should be. It’s super simple to make, as it combines gin, grapefruit juice, and a lime wedge for a refreshing and straightforward flavor. The bitterness of the grapefruit meshes well with the sharp and herbaceous taste of gin.

18. Blueberry Collins

This colorful tart gin cocktail is a delectable and sweet spring or summer cocktail. A Tom Collins is one of the classic gi cocktails everyone knows and loves, and this simple twist on the traditional drink offers the bright flavor of berries with the subtle sharpness of London Dry gin and lemon juice.

19. English Breakfast

If a typical cup of English Breakfast tea isn’t enough, you can make this rich and zesty English Breakfast cocktail. It features chilled black tea, lemon juice, and elderflower for a flowery and citrusy flavor profile. It has a slightly tart taste with a rustic, earthy finish that delights the palette.

20. Elderflower Gin Spritz

The elderflower spritz is a refreshing and delicately-flavored cocktail. It includes elderflower liqueur, soda water, gin, and white wine, usually a Sauvignon Blanc or Prosecco. This cocktail has a floral and biting flavor with a bubbly mouthfeel. Add a lemon or lime wedge to give it a hint of citrus.

21. British Bloody Mary

Turn your Sunday Bloody Marys into a British version by exchanging the vodka for gin! Garnish your British Bloody with olives, lemons, and limes to accentuate the gin taste. You’ll notice how the mix’s spices and sauces are easier to taste with the herbaceous gin instead of the harsh vodka.

Final Note

While you can make delicious gin cocktails with basic products, using quality ingredients will enhance your drinking experience. Buy the higher quality gin or the name-brand ginger beer. And if you can use fresh fruit, cucumber, or herbs for garnish, it will only make the cocktail better.