Gin Cocktails: 10 easy recipes to try at home, from classic to original
Fresh, aromatic and ultra-versatile, gin fits into every occasion: brunch with friends, chic aperitif, summer evening or festive dinner. From timeless classics that always hit the mark to creative recipes that surprise, there's always a gin-based cocktail for every moment.
At Vinodelice, we have a soft spot for artisanal gins with a real story, like Melifera, an organic gin with floral and iodine notes, inspired by the dunes and immortelles of Oléron Island (see our Melifera Bio Classic Gin) or in its superb Melifera Gin Edizione Corsa version, which blends Corsican maquis and citrus. A vacation scent, even in a balloon glass.
🌟 Why gin is booming?
In just a few years, gin has gone from a somewhat old-fashioned spirit to the darling of mixologists and home cocktail enthusiasts. Why?
Absolute versatility: it pairs with almost everything, from citrus to fresh herbs. Creative explosion: artisanal distilleries compete with imagination, using flower, spice or local plant infusions. The result? Cocktails that are as good as they are beautiful... and totally Instagram-worthy, perfect for showing off in stories. Simplicity: good gin + quality tonic = a successful cocktail in 30 seconds.
🥂 5 Essential Gin Cocktails
| Cocktail | Ingredients | Preparation | Perfect Occasion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gin Tonic | 5cl gin, 10cl premium tonic, ice, lemon or cucumber slice | Fill balloon glass with ice, pour gin, top with tonic, garnish | Chic aperitif with friends |
| Negroni | 3cl gin, 3cl Campari, 3cl red vermouth, ice, orange zest | Mix in mixing glass, pour over ice, add orange zest | Italian dinner or cocktail evening |
| Tom Collins | 5cl gin, 3cl lemon juice, 2cl sugar syrup, sparkling water | Shake gin + lemon + sugar with ice, pour, top with sparkling water | Summer brunch |
| French 75 | 3cl gin, 1.5cl lemon, 1.5cl sugar, champagne | Shake gin + lemon + sugar, pour in flute, top with champagne | Festive toast or celebration |
| Gin Fizz | 5cl gin, 3cl lemon, 2cl sugar, soda water | Shake except soda water, pour in glass, lengthen | Casual terrace aperitif |
💡 5 Original and Easy Recipes
| Cocktail | Ingredients | Preparation | Perfect Occasion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gin Basil Smash | 5cl gin, lemon juice, sugar, fresh basil | Muddle basil, shake with gin + lemon + sugar, strain | Gourmet aperitif in the sun |
| Pink Gin Spritz | Gin, raspberry tonic, strawberry syrup, red berries | Balloon glass, ice, gin, tonic, syrup, garnish with red berries | Summer afterwork |
| Cucumber & Mint | Gin, tonic, cucumber slices, mint leaves | Directly in glass, garnish generously | Refreshing post-workout cocktail |
| Tropical Gin | Gin, pineapple juice, coconut syrup, ice | Mix in large glass, garnish with pineapple slice | Beach party or garden party |
| Bramble Revisited | Gin, lemon, blackberry cream, blueberries | Shake gin + lemon + sugar, pour over ice, drizzle blackberry cream, garnish with blueberries | Cozy evening with friends |
🍋 Vinodelice Tip
For a home cocktail that rocks, choose a premium gin suited to the recipe:
Melifera Bio Classic → perfect for a floral and iodine gin tonic. Melifera Edizione Corsa → ideal for a Mediterranean twist, in spritz or basil smash.
How to Make a Perfect Gin Cocktail at Home
No need for a €10,000 bar to get started. Three simple tips:
Choose your gin – Dry, floral, spiced... adapt it to the cocktail style. Don't neglect the ice – The bigger and colder, the better. Play with garnish – Citrus, berries, herbs... that's what makes your cocktail signature.
Easy Gin Cocktails to Order at the Bar
Want to change from the eternal Gin Tonic but stick to a safe cocktail? Ask for a Tom Collins, a Gin Fizz or even a Gin + homemade lemonade: simple, effective and available in most bars.
📌 Gin isn't just a trend — it's an infinite playground. Whether you're a purist or a shaker adventurer, there's always a new recipe to try... and a Melifera gin to sublimate.
