Gin is the ultimate cocktail spirit, being an essential ingredient in many classic and contemporary cocktails. Despite Gin being a bold spirit with a wide range of flavors, it is the ultimate team player. If you would like to know what makes Gin taste like Gin, explore our story on Gin Botanicals.
Gin is happy to be the star or play a supporting role in cocktails, contributing its unique blend of aromatic herbs and spices to your happy hour elixir. Gin is the ideal spirit for our time. It’s well-suited for the cocktail renaissance we now enjoy; the category’s newcomers are primarily in the premium arena that satisfies the quality-spirits trend, and the subject of Gin is great fodder for analysis and debate. So who cares if Gin is the next “hot” thing? Ricky Martin was once hot, and I don’t recall that working out so well. Conversely, the Gin Rickey is a great cocktail, and perhaps it should have made this list.
We have steered clear of naming Gin brands here, as we know that you, Gin drinkers, are very brand loyal. Gin is perhaps the most polarizing of spirits. If you love juniper-heavy Gin (as I do), you have your go-to brands, and if you like your juniper muted (can’t imagine why), you have your brands as well.
If you want to explore Gins to expand your bar and your repertoire, check out Gin reviews. Further, we really hope that you check out our story, Gin & Genever – The Essence of Juniper, a straightforward look at the first and best flavored Vodka.
Without further ado, we present our Top Five Gin cocktails – indispensable in our view.
The BevX Top Five Gin Cocktails
- French 75 – When the premise involves mixing Gin with Champagne, I can barely contain my excitement. While this great classic cocktail is served in a Champagne glass and its volume is dominated by sparkling wine, Gin is the driving force in this drink. See the Story and get the Recipe
- Negroni – Life is so much better with a Negroni in your hand, and life would be less enjoyable without the creation of the Negroni – they’re that good. Yes, Gin is exactly one-third by volume in the Negroni, but the addition of Gin is what makes a classic Americano a Negroni. See the Story and get the Recipe
- Martini (classic) – These days, they call everything in a glass and a garnish a Martini, but the Martini deserves much more respect and deserves to be made with Gin and quality Dry Vermouth in support. See the Story and get the Recipe
- Vesper – It’s named for a Bond girl, and 077 himself created the drink in the classic Casino Royale, so how could it not be in our Top 5? See the Story and get the Recipe
- The Confessional – In a list comprised of treasured classics, I had to include one BevX original (if there is such a thing as an original cocktail). See the Story and get the Recipe
We are feeling generous and thirsty for more Gin, so here are Five More Gin Cocktails!
Delmonico, the steakhouse favorite… Get the Recipe here
Singapore Sling – BevX Style, an epic drink with a great story… Get the Recipe here
Aviation Cocktail, a classic Gin drink that has become a contemporary favorite. Get the Recipe here
Parisian Cocktail, sadly absent on most cocktail menus, this classic cocktail is a BevX favorite. Get the Recipe here
Gimlet is a classic three-ingredient cocktail that punches above its weight and delivers pure refreshment. Get the Recipe here
Do you want to better understand cocktails? May we suggest Be A Beverage Expert (BABE), a guide to understanding wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails.
Enjoy!