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Craving a fun gin drink but short on time? Here’s how to craft simple gin cocktails with just a few ingredients and minimal effort.

Gin and Lemonade
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Sometimes you’ve got time to mix up some fun cocktails, but other times you want something that’s quick and easy. If you’ve got a bottle of gin on hand, here are our top simple gin cocktails that are easy to throw together.

What’s a simple gin cocktail?

How do we define simple here? We’ve got a whole list of our best gin cocktails that includes all the classics. This collection is a sub-set of gin cocktails that take 5 minutes and are made with only a few ingredients and no fancy techniques. Many of them you can build right in the glass, so you don’t even need to dirty a cocktail shaker!

There’s everything from two-ingredient gin cocktails to simple bubbly highballs. Here’s what to mix with gin (tonic water and beyond!) to make an easy, breezy drink to enjoy. Alex and I have made these recipes multiple times, and we love every one of them! Some top favorites are the Gin Rickey, Gin Gin Mule, and Salty Dog.

The recipes: our top 10 simple gin cocktails

Best types of gin

The general rule around gin cocktails: the better the gin, the better the drink. Don’t buy the cheapest gin you can find. Try to invest in a mid-price range gin: the drink will only taste as good as the gin you invest in! Here are a few notes:

  • MalfyAviationBeefeater London Dry have a developed, botanical flavor that blends well in cocktails.
  • Locally distilled gin is a great option! In Indianapolis, we like 8th Day Distillery, Hotel Tango, and Big Heart Gin.
  • Steer clear of strong flavored sipping gins in cocktails. For us this includes brands like Tanqueray gin (very floral) and Opihr gin (spice-forward). These types of gin can overpower the subtlety in many mixed drinks.

More gin cocktails

Looking for more gin cocktail ideas? We’ve got recipes for every season! Here are a few of our top ideas:

Frequently asked questions

What kind of gin should I use for these cocktails?

Malfy, Aviation, and Beefeater London Dry is a versatile choice for most simple cocktails. However, you can explore other styles like juniper-forward gins or citrusy gins depending on your taste preference.

Do I need fancy ingredients for these cocktails?

Not at all! Most recipes use readily available ingredients like citrus juice, tonic water, and simple syrup.

Can I make these cocktails without a shaker?

Absolutely! Many of the recipes, like the Gin and Tonic, Gin Rickey, and Gin and Lemonade can be built directly in the glass. For drinks requiring mixing, a mason jar or even a tightly sealed mug can work in a pinch.

How can I add a personal touch to these simple cocktails?

Experiment with different garnishes! Fresh herbs like mint, rosemary, or thyme can add a touch of elegance. You can also use slices of cucumber, orange, or lemon for a pop of color and flavor.

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10 Simple Gin Cocktails

Gin and lemonade
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5 from 1 review

Gin and lemonade are the best combination! Make this quick and easy 2 ingredient cocktail that’s perfectly sweet tart.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink 1x
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Stirred
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 ounces (¾ cup) homemade lemonade or purchased lemonade*
  • 2 ounces (¼ cup) gin
  • Ice, for serving (try clear ice)
  • Fresh mint and lemon slices, for garnish

Instructions

  1. By the glass: In a glass, pour in the lemonade and gin. Add ice and garnish with fresh mint and lemon slices.
  2. By the pitcher: Mix 6 cups lemonade with 2 cups gin. Add ice and serve.

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About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

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2 Comments

  1. Sabrina says:

    interesting change for me, will have to keep these for the weekend, I’m not a big gin drinker so, thank you