21 Best Gin Cocktails to Shake Up Your Happy Hour
These go way beyond a gin and tonic.
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Some of the best cocktail recipes are made with gin. For starters, there are classic drinks like the gin and tonic or Tom Collins that are shaken up and served over ice. Then, there are the many martini recipes made with gin, like Ree Drummond's butterfly martini topped with edible flowers. It might just be the prettiest drink we've ever seen! Looking to celebrate a special occasion? There's a gin recipe for that, too! Just look at some of the bubbly cocktails, like the French 75, that doubles as a New Year's Eve drink. No matter what type of beverage you’re after, this list of gin cocktails is a great place to start.
The reason why gin is so versatile is because the clear liquor lends itself well to a variety of flavors. On its own, gin is slightly herbal and a little bit floral, so it’s perfect for adding a bit of botanical flavor to a refreshing cucumber drink. Or you might like the notes of juniper berries in a sweet and lemony bees knees cocktail. Many vodka drinks can also be swapped out with gin instead. And if you want to really embrace the herbal flavor of gin, try pairing it with a fresh herb garnish, like mint, rosemary, or thyme, from your indoor herb garden. Bonus: It looks pretty, too!
French 75
This light, bubbly cocktail combines gin, lemon juice, simply syrup, and sparkling wine for a festive drink that's worthy of a toast. Add a lemon twist to make it look even more celebratory!
Get the French 75 recipe.
Negroni
This classic Italian cocktail is made with bitter fruit flavors from Campari and herbal flavors from gin. Together, they create a drink that's perfect for happy hour! It's no wonder the Negroni is known as an "aperitivo" or a drink to have before dinner.
Get the Negroni recipe.
Bees Knees
Bright lemon juice and a sweet honey syrup make this cocktail the bees knees of happy hour drinks! (Get it?)
Get the Bees Knees recipe.
Butterfly Martini
Ree's purple cocktail is made with elderflower liqueur, gin, crème de violette, and hibiscus rose syrup for even more floral flavor. An edible flower is an optional, but oh so pretty way to finish off the glass.
Get Ree's Butterfly Martini recipe.
Cranberry Thyme Gin and Tonic
This is not your average gin and tonic! It's made with sweet-tart cranberry juice and freshly squeeze orange juice, plus fresh thyme leaves to bring out all that herbal flavor.
Get the Cranberry Thyme Gin and Tonic recipe.
Clover Club Cocktail
A homemade raspberry simple syrup is the key to making these colorful drinks taste as good as they look! Don't be intimidated, it's just part sugar, part water, and part raspberries.
Gin Mule
This twist on a Moscow mule swaps the vodka for gin, but sticks with the classic mint, lime juice, and ginger beer. Don't forget to serve it up in a copper mug!
Get the Gin Mule recipe at A Beautiful Mess.
Pomegranate Martini with Rosemary
This festive cocktail is perfect for your next holiday party! The cheerful red and green colors from pomegranate juice and fresh rosemary are enhanced by the flavor of the herbal gin and rosemary simple syrup.
Get the Pomegranate Martini with Rosemary recipe at Feasting at Home.
Gin Fizz
This lemony, fizzy drink has a pretty foam topping that's made from shaken egg whites. It might sound crazy, but trust us, it's easy and fun!
Get the Gin Fizz recipe at Simple Joy.
Blackberry Bramble
It couldn't be easier to whip up this simple summer cocktail. All you need is gin, lemon juice, and a homemade blackberry syrup.
St. Germain Cocktail
St. Germain is a type of elderflower liqueur that's slightly sweet and perfect for making easy cocktails when you don't have time for a homemade simple syrup. Just add gin, lemon juice, and champagne for a drink that's ready in 3 minutes or less!
Classic Gin and Tonic
You can't have a gin cocktail roundup without a gin and tonic! Follow this recipe for a refreshing, no-frills drink that's perfect every time.
Get the Classic Gin and Tonic recipe at A Farmgirl's Dabbles.
Aviation Cocktail
This bluish-purple drink dates back to the early 1900s when it first entered the scene at a hotel in New York City. The color comes from a floral liqueur known as crème de violette.
Raspberry Gin Rickey
This twist on a Gin Rickey adds sweet and tart flavors from muddled raspberries, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. It's one drink you'll want to put on repeat when the weather turns warm!
Gin Ginger Martini
A spicy ginger simple syrup makes this gin martini pack a punch! It looks so pretty with candied ginger on top for garnish.
Tom Collins
Despite what you might think, this zesty, bubbly cocktail didn't get its name from a guy named Tom. Instead, Old Tom Gin is the type of gin used to make it!
Get the Tom Collins recipe at Preppy Kitchen.
Winter Cranberry Gin Fizz
This winter cocktail will brighten your day thanks to fresh, sweet-tart cranberries. It would be perfect for a snowy day cocktail party or even a New Year's Eve celebration.
Get the Winter Cranberry Gin Fizz recipe at Jessica in the Kitchen.
Gin and Lemonade
The only thing better than homemade lemonade is spiked lemonade! Of course, you can use store-bought lemonade if you're in a pinch.
Pink Gin Spritz
It feels like spritzes have been everywhere lately and this variation is one of the most refreshing! It combines pink gin with lemon-lime soda, prosecco, simple syrup, and fresh fruit.
Cucumber Mint Gimlet
A classic gimlet is composed of gin, lime juice and a touch of sweetener, but this variation adds muddled cucumber for even more refreshing flavor.
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