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Classic Gin Cocktail Collection

A versatile collection of classic gin cocktails including Gin and Tonic, Martini, Gimlet, and Negroni. These drinks balance spirit, citrus, bitters, and other modifiers into something greater than the sum of their parts, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: British, International
Calories: 160
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Gin and Tonic
  • 1.5 oz gin London Dry style preferred
  • 4 to 5 oz tonic water quality brand
  • 1 wedge or small slice fresh lime
  • Large ice cubes
  • Juniper berries or cucumber slice for garnish optional
Martini
  • 2 oz gin London Dry or gin of choice
  • 0.5 oz dry vermouth
  • 1 dash Angostura or orange bitters optional but recommended
  • Large ice cubes for stirring
  • Olive or lemon twist for garnish
Gimlet
  • 2 oz gin
  • 0.75 oz fresh lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 0.5 oz simple syrup
  • Ice cubes for shaking
  • Lime wheel for garnish
Negroni
  • 1 oz gin
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth
  • Large ice cubes
  • Orange twist for garnish

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker or mixing glass
  • Bar spoon for stirring
  • Jigger for measuring (1.5 oz and 0.5 oz measures)
  • Hawthorne strainer
  • Fine mesh strainer for double straining
  • Citrus juicer or reamer
  • Vegetable peeler for citrus twists
  • Cutting board and sharp knife
  • Cocktail glass or coupe glass

Method
 

  1. Place your cocktail glass in the freezer for at least 5 minutes or fill it with ice and water while you prepare the drink.
  2. Lay out all ingredients and use your jigger to measure precisely.
  3. For shaken cocktails like the Gimlet, fill your cocktail shaker about three-quarters full with ice, preferably large cubes.
  4. Pour gin, citrus juice, and any syrups or modifiers into the shaker in that order.
  5. Hold the shaker firmly with both hands and shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds until the outside of the shaker frosts over and feels ice-cold.
  6. Using a Hawthorne strainer, pour the cocktail into your pre-chilled glass, straining out the ice. For extra clarity, double-strain through a fine mesh strainer.
  7. For stirred cocktails like Martini and Negroni, fill a mixing glass with ice and add your gin, vermouth, and bitters, then stir for about 30 seconds with a bar spoon.
  8. Express citrus oils from a twist by twisting it over the drink and rubbing the oils around the rim before dropping it in, or place your garnish on the surface as specified.
  9. Serve immediately while the cocktail is still ice-cold.

Notes

Always use fresh lime juice squeezed moments before serving, large ice cubes rather than crushed ice, and quality spirits. Chill every glass before pouring. Stir spirit-forward cocktails and shake citrus-forward ones. Store vermouth in the fridge for up to a month. Simple syrup can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to one month.