These 8 Essential Gin Cocktail Recipes feature a classic liquor that offers lovely floral notes and some surprising health benefits. Perfect for fruity, spicy and savory mixed drinks alike, it’s a great spirit to have in your back pocket as you try to stay cool this summer.
What Type of Alcohol is Gin?
Gin stands out among other grain-based alcohols because of its distinctive floral notes. These come thanks to the juniper berries it’s distilled with. Aside from needing that juniper base, in order for a spirit to be considered gin, it also needs to be at least 80 proof, or 40% alcohol.
Naturally, gin comes out a pale yellow, which is a color you can play around with when mixing your drinks. And here’s a fun fact: although nowadays it’s a staple at bars all over the world, it was actually used originally as a medicinal alcohol.
These gin cocktail recipes are going to hit all the notes. Fruity, floral, refreshing and easy to make!
Is Gin the Healthiest Alcohol?
When it comes to healthy spirits, gin is sitting pretty right at the top of the list. Made using fermented juniper berries, gin has a ton of health benefits that don’t all disappear when it’s distilled.
These include antioxidants that help to protect your cells from damage, as well as vitamins and minerals that can give your immune system a boost.
How to Keep Cocktails Cold in the Summertime
When it’s hot outside, a cold cocktail is the perfect thing to cool you down. But how do you keep your cocktails cold when the weather is working against you? One option is to chill your cocktails before serving them. You can also use chilled ingredients, or even chill the glass you plan to put them in.
And if you have a fruity drink and want to get really creative, try using frozen fruit like ice cubes! You can go with the same fruit that’s flavoring your drink, or pick something else that complements it.
One of the key reasons that we love these gin cocktail recipes is how refreshing they are to sip on a warm summer day.
8 Must-Make Gin Mixed Drinks
Now that you know how healthy gin is, you can mix it into your cocktails this summer guilt-free! Here are some great ways to get the most out of this herbaceous spirit.
The perfect lazy motto for summer? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's the philosophy that brings you this classic Tom Collins cocktail, famous for its bubbly texture and fresh lemon flavor.
This equally classic cocktail is good all year round, but it hits the spot in such a satisfying way when you enjoy it out on the porch in the fresh summer air. Its distinctive briny flavor just can't be beat.
Sweet and tart at the same time, this cocktail looks impressive with its stunning blood-red color and a sprig of fresh rosemary on top. The bold citrusy flavor is so fruity and refreshing on a hot day.
This drink features a lovely two-tone color scheme that looks just like a sunset, with the orange at the bottom blending seamlessly into a clear layer on top. Chilled to keep it cool, its fruity flavor and dusk-on-the-beach colors make it an amazing summertime drink.
With the perfect balance of herbaceous flavor and citrusy tang, this drink uses fresh ingredients that will perk you up no matter how hot it is. There's also a sweetness to it that really hits the spot.
This martini is perfect if you want fresh summer flavor but don't like fruity drinks. The taste of the cucumber is cool and refreshing, and the nutrients from this fresh vegetable make it even more healthy!
As a kid, one of the best things about summer is waking up late to a big, hearty breakfast. Make this sweet and savory cocktail to recapture that feeling of decadence.
With fresh lime and a bubbly kick of ginger beer, this drink will get you through even the most brutal days of summer heat. Elderflower liquor boosts both the floral flavor and health benefits of the gin in this refreshing cocktail.