The 20 Best Gin Cocktails That Prove Juniper Is King

From Martinis to Fizzes — Our Favorite Gin Drinks

Written by Curiada Editorial Staff

11 min read
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Why These 20 Gin Cocktails?

Gin might be the most cocktail-friendly spirit ever created. The botanical backbone — juniper, coriander, citrus peel, and whatever else the distiller felt like throwing in — means gin arrives in your shaker already complex, already interesting, already ready to play well with practically anything you put next to it. That's why it anchors more classic cocktails than any other spirit.

This guide pulls together 20 of our favorite gin drinks from a library of over 1,100 recipes. The Martini and the Gin & Tonic get their due, but we went much deeper: egg white sours, fizzes, stirred drinks with vermouth, and a few builds that pair gin with unexpected partners like sherry and elderflower. The Fallen Angel, Opal, and Maiden's Prayer are the kinds of recipes that make you realize how much gin territory is still left to explore.

If you've got a bottle of London Dry on your shelf, every recipe here is within reach. If you've also got a Plymouth or a contemporary-style gin, even better — swapping the gin changes the drink more than you'd expect.

All 20 Recipes

A photo of the Fallen Angel cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Freshly squeezed lemon juice, Tempus Fugit Crème De Menthe, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne) in a Martini.
#1 medium Daiquiri/Classic Sours & Riffs

Fallen Angel

A splash of creme de menthe gives this gin sour a cool, minty edge.

The Fallen Angel proves gin plays well with mint liqueur. A touch of creme de menthe adds just enough cool to a classic lemon sour.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Chill martini glass
  2. Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker
  3. Add ice to shaker
  4. Shake vigorously
  5. Fine strain into chilled martini glass
  6. Garnish with mint leaf
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Opal cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Giffard Triple Sec, Freshly squeezed orange juice, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne), Orange flower water in a Martini.
#2 medium Other Family

Opal

Orange flower water perfumes this gin-triple sec-OJ combo with floral magic.

Orange flower water lifts this gin and triple sec drink into fragrant territory, making it a standout in the gin cocktail lineup.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to cocktail shaker
  2. Add all ingredients to shaker
  3. Shake vigorously
  4. Fine strain into chilled martini glass
  5. Express orange zest twist over drink and drop into glass
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the The Gin Bitter Truth cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Freshly squeezed lime juice, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne), Angostura Aromatic Bitters, Chilled water in a Coupe.
#3 medium Daiquiri/Classic Sours & Riffs

The Gin Bitter Truth

Angostura bitters turn a simple gin-lime sour into something deeper.

Sometimes gin just needs lime, sugar, and a couple dashes of Angostura. This is the stripped-down gin sour that tells the bitter truth.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to shaker
  2. Pour all ingredients into shaker
  3. Shake well with ice
  4. Strain into chilled coupe glass
  5. Float dehydrated lime wheel on top
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Fine & Dandy cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Giffard Triple Sec, Freshly squeezed lemon juice, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne), Chilled water (reduce if wet ice), Angostura Aromatic Bitters in a Martini.
#4 advanced Other Family

Fine & Dandy

Gin, triple sec, lemon, and bitters — nothing fancy, everything fine.

The Fine & Dandy is a gin sour with triple sec and bitters that delivers exactly what its name promises — simple, balanced, great.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to cocktail shaker
  2. Add all ingredients to shaker
  3. Shake vigorously
  4. Fine strain into chilled martini glass
  5. Express lemon zest twist over drink and drop into glass
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Maiden's Prayer cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Giffard Triple Sec, Freshly squeezed orange juice, Freshly squeezed lemon juice in a Martini.
#5 medium Sidecar/New Orleans Sours & Riffs

Maiden's Prayer

Triple sec and OJ soften London Dry gin in this citrus-forward classic.

Maiden's Prayer balances gin with generous pours of triple sec and orange juice, creating a bright, citrus-driven gin cocktail.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to cocktail shaker
  2. Add all ingredients to shaker
  3. Shake vigorously
  4. Fine strain into chilled martini glass
  5. Express orange zest twist over drink and drop into glass
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Gin Sidecar cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Giffard Triple Sec, Freshly squeezed orange juice, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne), Orange flower water in a Coupe.
#6 medium Daiquiri/Classic Sours & Riffs

Gin Sidecar

The Sidecar swaps cognac for gin and adds orange flower water for lift.

This gin riff on the Sidecar keeps the triple sec and citrus but adds orange flower water for a botanical twist worth trying.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker
  2. Add ice to shaker
  3. Shake vigorously
  4. Fine strain into chilled coupe glass
  5. Express orange zest twist over drink and drop into glass
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Spencer Cocktail cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Giffard Abricot Du Roussillon, Freshly squeezed orange juice, Angostura Aromatic Bitters in a Martini.
#7 medium Sidecar/New Orleans Sours & Riffs

Spencer Cocktail

Apricot liqueur meets gin in this fruity, bitters-kissed Prohibition-age gem.

Giffard apricot liqueur brings stone-fruit warmth to London Dry gin, with Angostura bitters adding spice. A forgotten gin classic.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Chill martini glass
  2. Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker
  3. Add ice to shaker
  4. Shake vigorously
  5. Fine strain into chilled martini glass
  6. Express orange zest twist over drink and discard
  7. Garnish with Luxardo Maraschino cherry
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Pegu Club cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Giffard Triple Sec, Freshly squeezed lime juice, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne), Angostura Aromatic Bitters, Angostura Orange Bitters in a Martini.
#8 advanced Daiquiri/Classic Sours & Riffs

Pegu Club

Two types of bitters and triple sec make this gin sour a spicy legend.

Born in colonial Burma, the Pegu Club's double-bitters punch with triple sec and lime makes it one of gin's most storied cocktails.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to cocktail shaker
  2. Add all ingredients to shaker
  3. Shake vigorously
  4. Fine strain into chilled martini glass
  5. Garnish with lime wedge
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Violet Aviation Fizz cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Giffard Triple Sec, Giffard Crème de Violette Liqueur, Freshly squeezed lime juice, Freshly squeezed lemon juice in a Flute.
#9 medium Sidecar/New Orleans Sours & Riffs

Violet Aviation Fizz

Creme de violette and triple sec make gin fly in this Aviation riff.

Violette and triple sec give this gin drink a purple-hued, floral-citrus character that's a beautiful riff on the classic Aviation.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to cocktail shaker
  2. Add all ingredients to shaker
  3. Shake vigorously
  4. Fine strain into chilled flute glass
  5. Express orange zest twist over drink and drop into glass
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Peachy Keen Gimlet cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Rothman & Winter Orchard Peach Liqueur, Freshly squeezed lemon juice, Fresh pressed pineapple juice in a Coupe.
#10 medium Sidecar/New Orleans Sours & Riffs

Peachy Keen Gimlet

Peach liqueur and pineapple turn a gin gimlet into a stone-fruit delight.

Rothman & Winter peach liqueur and pineapple juice bring juicy, tropical warmth to London Dry gin in this gimlet variation.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to cocktail shaker
  2. Add all ingredients to shaker
  3. Shake vigorously with ice
  4. Fine strain into chilled coupe glass
  5. Dust with freshly ground black pepper
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the The Verdant Gimlet cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Freshly extracted celery juice, Green Chartreuse, Freshly squeezed lime juice, Rose's lime cordial, Chardonnay white wine vinegar, Fee Brother's Celery Bitters in a Coupe.
#11 advanced Daiquiri/Classic Sours & Riffs

The Verdant Gimlet

Celery juice and white wine vinegar make this gin gimlet taste alive.

Fresh celery juice, Green Chartreuse, and a splash of wine vinegar turn this gimlet into gin's most savory, vegetal expression.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to cocktail shaker
  2. Add all ingredients to shaker
  3. Shake vigorously with ice
  4. Fine strain into chilled coupe glass
  5. Garnish with celery tip and leaf
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Raspberry Gin Sidecar cocktail containing Raspberries, Beefeater London Dry Gin, Giffard Triple Sec, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne), Peychaud's Bitters in a Martini.
#12 medium Daiquiri/Classic Sours & Riffs

Raspberry Gin Sidecar

Fresh raspberries and Peychaud's bitters give this gin sidecar a pink kick.

Seven muddled raspberries and Peychaud's bitters add berry depth and a floral spice to this gin-and-triple-sec sidecar.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Chill martini glass
  2. Muddle raspberries in base of shaker
  3. Add other ingredients to shaker
  4. Add ice to shaker
  5. Shake well
  6. Fine strain into chilled martini glass
  7. Garnish with raspberries
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Southside Fizz cocktail containing Mint leaves, Beefeater London Dry Gin, Freshly squeezed lemon juice, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne), Club soda in a Collins (Small 8 oz).
#13 medium Highballs & Collinses

Southside Fizz

Mint leaves and soda water turn gin into a long, cooling Southside fizz.

The Southside Fizz is the gin highball that mint lovers dream about — London Dry gin, muddled mint, lemon, and a soda top.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Lightly muddle mint in base of shaker to bruise
  2. Add next three ingredients
  3. Add ice to shaker
  4. Shake well
  5. Fine strain into chilled empty Collins glass
  6. Top with soda
  7. Garnish with mint sprig
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Limoncello Sage Collins cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Pallini Limoncello, Strega Liquore, Freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice, Freshly squeezed lemon juice, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne), Angostura Orange Bitters in a Collins.
#14 advanced Highballs & Collinses

Limoncello Sage Collins

Limoncello and Strega add Italian sunshine to this gin Collins.

Pallini Limoncello and Strega bring Italian herbal brightness to a gin Collins base, with grapefruit juice adding a tart twist.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to shaker
  2. Add all ingredients to shaker
  3. Shake well with ice
  4. Fill Collins glass with ice
  5. Strain mixture into ice-filled Collins glass
  6. Garnish with sage sprig
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Quad Squad Long Island cocktail containing Planteray 3 Stars White Rum, Beefeater London Dry Gin, Ketel One Vodka, Milagro Reposado Tequila, Giffard Triple Sec, MIDORI Melon Liqueur, Freshly squeezed lime juice, Lemon-lime soda in a Sling.
#15 advanced Highballs & Collinses

Quad Squad Long Island

Four spirits plus Midori melon liqueur make this Long Island go green.

Gin leads a four-spirit squad with rum, vodka, and tequila, but Midori melon liqueur gives this Long Island its signature green color.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to shaker
  2. Add first seven ingredients to shaker
  3. Shake well with ice
  4. Fill sling glass with ice
  5. Strain mixture into ice-filled sling glass
  6. Top with lemonade
  7. Stir lightly
  8. Garnish with lemon slice
  9. Serve with straws
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the The Grand Tour Martini cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Hennessy V.S. Cognac, Planteray 3 Stars White Rum, Martini & Rossi Rosso Sweet Vermouth, Freshly squeezed lemon juice, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne) in a Martini.
#16 advanced Other Family

The Grand Tour Martini

Gin, cognac, rum, and sweet vermouth share a glass on this grand tour.

Three spirits and sweet vermouth orbit around gin in this complex, stirred drink — a grand tour of the back bar in one sip.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to cocktail shaker
  2. Add all ingredients to shaker
  3. Shake vigorously
  4. Fine strain into chilled martini glass
  5. Express lemon zest twist over drink and drop into glass
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Gin Sour Aperitivo cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Aperol Aperitivo, Freshly squeezed lemon juice, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne), Angostura Orange Bitters, Fee Brothers Fee Foam Egg White Alternative in a Coupe.
#17 advanced Other Family

Gin Sour Aperitivo

Aperol and egg white foam soften gin into a bittersweet, frothy aperitivo.

Aperol's bittersweet orange flavor meets London Dry gin under a cloud of egg white foam — a gin sour built for the golden hour.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to shaker
  2. Pour all ingredients into shaker
  3. Shake well with ice
  4. Fine strain into chilled coupe glass
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Ramos Gin Fizz cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Freshly squeezed lemon juice, Freshly squeezed lime juice, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne), Orange flower water, Vanilla extract, Fee Brothers Fee Foam Egg White Alternative, Single cream / half-and-half, Club soda in a Collins.
#18 advanced Other Family

Ramos Gin Fizz

The legendary twelve-minute shake — orange flower water, vanilla, and cream.

The Ramos Gin Fizz is gin's most famous creamy cocktail. Orange flower water and vanilla create a milkshake-like drink that's pure ritual.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add first eight ingredients to shaker with ice
  2. Shake vigorously
  3. Strain back into shaker
  4. Dry shake without ice
  5. Strain into chilled Collins glass with no ice
  6. Top with soda water from siphon
  7. Garnish with lemon slice and mint sprig
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Golden Gin Old Fashioned cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Galliano Autentico Liqueur, Freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice, Angostura Orange Bitters in a Old-Fashioned.
#19 medium Sidecar/New Orleans Sours & Riffs

Golden Gin Old Fashioned

Galliano and grapefruit juice give gin the golden Old Fashioned treatment.

Galliano's vanilla-anise sweetness with fresh grapefruit creates a gin Old Fashioned riff that's sunny, aromatic, and hard to put down.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to shaker
  2. Pour all ingredients into shaker
  3. Shake well with ice
  4. Fine strain into ice-filled old-fashioned glass
  5. Express grapefruit zest twist over drink and drop into glass
View Full Recipe →
A photo of the Sparkling Long Island Royale cocktail containing Giffard Triple Sec, Milagro Reposado Tequila, Planteray 3 Stars White Rum, Beefeater London Dry Gin, Ketel One Vodka, Freshly squeezed lime juice, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne), Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Champagne in a Sling.
#20 advanced Champagne Cocktails & Spritzes

Sparkling Long Island Royale

Five spirits topped with champagne turn the Long Island into a celebration.

Gin joins vodka, rum, tequila, and triple sec in this sparkling Long Island upgrade — champagne replaces cola for a fizzy, festive twist.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add ice to shaker
  2. Add first seven ingredients to shaker
  3. Shake well with ice
  4. Fill sling glass with ice
  5. Strain mixture into ice-filled sling glass
  6. Top with champagne
  7. Gently stir
  8. Garnish with lemon slice and cherry on stick as a sail
View Full Recipe →

London Dry vs. Contemporary Gin

London Dry gin leads with juniper — piney, resinous, and classic. It's the style most cocktail recipes assume you're using, and it works in everything from Martinis to Tom Collins. Beefeater and Tanqueray are the benchmarks.

Contemporary gins dial back the juniper and push other botanicals forward — cucumber, rose, citrus, even tea. They're beautiful in lighter drinks like spritzes and highballs, but they can disappear in assertive recipes with a lot of citrus or sweetener. The rule of thumb: if the cocktail was invented before 2000, reach for a London Dry. If it's a modern creation with delicate flavors, a contemporary gin might be the better call.

Browse our full Gin collection to find the perfect bottle.
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Spirit Categories: Gin · Liqueurs · Bitters · Rum · Vodka · Mezcal, Tequila, and Other Agave Spirits

Shop by Style: London Dry Gin · Fruit Liqueurs · Herbal & Spiced Bitters · Herbal & Spice Liqueurs · Citrus & Fruit Bitters · Light Rum · Unflavored Vodka · Tequila

Get Specific: Classic London Dry Gin · Orange Liqueur · Aromatic Bitters · Citrus Bitters · Other Herbal & Spice Liqueur · Light Rum · Grain Vodka · Reposado Tequila · Other Mixers · Mint Liqueur

Why These Gin Cocktails?

With gin, the hardest part is narrowing down. We could have filled this guide five times over. The final 20 were chosen for range — shaken and stirred, classic and modern, juniper-forward and botanically adventurous. Every recipe showcases gin as a base spirit; it's the reason the drink works.

Shop the Gin Selection

Beefeater, Hendrick's, Hayman's Old Tom — every gin and gin-friendly bottle in this guide ships to your door.

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