For better or worse, many spirits are typecast for particular cocktail styles. Rum brings tropical drinking to mind, for example, while whiskey may conjure the strong and stirred. Gin, however, moves more freely in the collective imagination. Making an aperitivo classic? Gin’s probably the spirit for the job. Simply topping with tonic? Gin’s a tried-and-true bet. That’s why our favorite gin cocktails span a wide range, from a Midori-spiked take on the Last Word to a minimalist low-proof sherry drink. But what they all have in common is their easy construction, which is anchored by the botanical spirit. Here are 15 simple gin recipes that span seasons, genres and builds—any of which deserve a spot in your next round.
Apple Garibaldi
Granny Smith apples star alongside sherry, vermouth and gin.
The Saturn
An exemplary gin-based tiki drink.
Negroni Frappé
Frappéd, refreshing and lower-proof than the classic.
Gin Basil Smash
An herbaceous modern classic that hails from Hamburg, Germany.
Electric Circus
Midori accentuates the herbal notes of gin and génépy in this Last Word riff.
Bijou Blanc
A more floral take on the Bijou calls for a full ounce of Chartreuse and swaps sweet vermouth for bianco and extra dry.
Fizz Italiano
A fluffy aperitivo drink topped with the Italian bitter soda Sanbittèr.
Gaz Regan’s Negroni
In this nontraditional take on the Negroni, Jägermeister stands in for Campari.
Sling Bar’s Gin Pahit
A simplified version of the pared-back Malaysian classic.
Remember the Alimony
One of the few sherry-based modern classics.
White Negroni Highball
The modern classic made tall.
Eponine Collins
A French-inflected Collins complemented by Suze and Amaro Montenegro.
