7 Best Gin Cocktails: Classic & New Age Drinks With Gin
If you’re a gin lover, you know that the delicious herbal flavor of this classic distilled spirit is truly unmatched. And, with a quick visit to the history of this spirit, it’s clear to see how time has been a key element in it’s perfected taste. To start, juniper, the core ingredient of gin, has been mixed with alcohol as far back as 70 A.D. The combination of juniper and alcohol transformed century after century, with both its use and taste evolving throughout time. The origin of true gin dates back to when it was used as a medicinal liquor created by monks and alchemist across Europe as early as the 13th century. And eventually, drinking gin gained rapid popularity throughout the late 17th century and early 18th century, particularly in England. Eventually, we began using the citrus and spice flavors of gin to create gin cocktails, with the earliest gin cocktails dating back to the early 1800s.
Now that we’ve had a fast-tracked history lesson on the topic of gin, we can dive into how we enjoy this botanically flavored spirit today. To start, the juniper-derived flavors of gin make it a delectable spirit to enjoy neat. However, the complex herbal flavors also make it a standout choice for incorporating into cocktails. Cocktail drinks with gin take on a botanical piney flavor that truly can’t be matched by other spirits. Drinks with gin are typically light and refreshing, as it’s flavors pair wonderfully with sweet citrus flavors and mint. To name just a few of the best gin cocktails, there’s gin fizzes, Tom Collins, and even new age recipes like the juniper’s jungle right here on the Less Than Greater Than cocktail menu. There’s virtually countless gin cocktails out there, each of which features gin in its own unique (and delicious) way.
7 Best Gin Cocktails
From classic gin cocktails to new age recipes, there’s essentially an endless list of drinks with gin to choose from. However, we’ve gathered some of the best drinks with gin that will allow you to fully appreciate this spirit’s complex flavor. So, read on to find the best gin cocktails that you’ll want to try.
Gin Fizz
The perfectly balanced gin fizz is a classic gin cocktail that’s both sweet and tart. With origins that date back to 1887, it’s a classic gin cocktail that’s a must try for anyone looking to explore this distilled spirit. The light, refreshing, and pleasantly bubbly gin fizz is made using these few simple ingredients:
Gin
Lemon juice
Simple syrup
Egg white
Carbonated water
Tom Collins
The Tom Collins is just about as classic as it gets when talking about the best gin cocktails. To start, you may be wondering who exactly Tom Collins is and why there’s a drink named after him. However, the name Tom Collins actually stems from a running joke in the 19th century. While the joke died out, this classic gin cocktail surely did not. This cocktail is sometimes compared to a boozy lemonade, with bright citrusy lemon flavors. The classic ingredients found in a Tom Collins are:
Gin
Lemon juice
Carbonated water
Simple syrup
Juniper’s Jungle
Many of the best gin cocktails are those that are classic. However, we can’t forget about some of new age gin cocktails that feature this herbal spirit in a new and incredibly delicious way. One of these new age gin cocktails, concocted at the speakeasy bar Less Than Greater Than, is the juniper’s jungle. Taking on a tropical twist and respectfully highlighting the herbal juniper flavors of gin, juniper’s jungle takes a classic spirit and makes it contemporarily unique. The drink features:
Gin
Lemon
Campari
Pineapple
Coconut rum
Orgeat
Falernum
French 75
If you’re looking for a drink with gin that’s just as festive as it is delicious, the French 75 is the best gin cocktail for you. Made with gin and champagne, it’s a bubbly delight that makes for the perfect celebratory or special occasion drink. The French 75, whose name originates from a gun used by the French in World War II, is made of the following simple (but deliciously elegant) ingredients:
Gin
Champagne
Lemon juice
Simple syrup
Negroni
The Negroni is without a doubt one of the best gin cocktails, and one that has risen in worldwide popularity in recent years. However, its origins aren’t so recent, with its routes tracing back to 1919 in a bar in Florence, Italy. When it comes to this gin cocktail’s taste, it can be described as a perfected fusion between bitter orange, the floral flavors of gin, and a bit of sweetness. One of the best gin cocktails out there and a definite must-try, the Negroni is made from the following ingredients:
Gin
Sweet vermouth
Campari bitters
Fresh orange slice or peel
Gin Martini
One of the most iconic cocktails of all time, the martini, is taken to a botanical level with the gin martini. The gin martini is a spirit forward cocktail that brings forward the juniper taste of gin for a crisp, sleek sip. Keeping it simple yet sophisticated, this gin cocktail features the following ingredients:
Gin
Dry vermouth
Gin Rickey
It’s bubbly, deliciously refreshing, and brightly citrusy: it’s the Gin Rickey! One of the best gin drinks, the Gin Rickey is actually named after a Democratic lobbyist named Joe Rickey, who famously added lime to his highball drinks of choice. While there are many version of Rickey cocktails, the pairing of botanical and lime flavors in the Gin Rickey are hard to beat. This bright and refreshing cocktail is made from:
Gin
Lime juice
Carbonated water
Drinks with gin have a unique botanical flavor that’s truly hard to beat. The juniper notes of this classic spirit combine beautifully with a variety of other flavors, from lemon to champagne, to create delicious gin cocktails that are enjoyed by many. With both classic drinks with gin, like the Negroni, and new age gin cocktails, like juniper’s jungle, you’re sure to find one that suits your taste.