Top 4 Gin Cocktails to Try This Summer
With hot summer days just around the corner, now is the perfect time to stock your bar and get ready for some fresh cocktails. While many people turn towards vodka for their summer mixed drinks, the delicious flavors of gin are just as refreshing. Gins like Mahón bring aromatic flavors with hints of citrus fruits and flowers which make it hard to resist on a sunny day or warm summer night. While there are hundreds of different gin cocktails worth mentioning, here are four stand out ones you should try this season.
Gimlet
Not to be confused with the classic gin martini, a gimlet is the summer alternative to this classy cocktail, and it certainly delivers a punch. In its simplest form, a gimlet is simple to make using only three ingredients: gin, lime juice, and simple syrup. To make a gimlet at home, try this recipe from Liquor.com:
Ingredients
2.5 ounces of gin
0.5 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice
0.5 ounce of simple syrup
*Lime for garnish
Steps
1. Add the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup into a shaker filled with ice and shake until ice cold
2. Strain into a chilled martini glass or an on rocks glass filled with fresh ice
3. Garnish with a lime wheel
If you’re looking to elevate your gimlet, consider adding a slight trace of other fresh ingredients. One great combination is to add a bit of basil and muddled cucumber to your shaker. Another option to take your gimlet to the next level is to use a mint-infused simple syrup.
Tom Collins
If you’ve ever seen a Tom Collins served, you know it looks like a tall refreshing cocktail you’d love to sip poolside. This summertime staple is easy to make, and only requires a few key ingredients. To make a Tom Collins at your house this summer, try this recipe from the NY Times Cooking section:
Ingredients
2 ounces of gin
1 ounce of simple syrup
0.75 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice
Soda water
*Lemon and cocktail cherry for garnish
Steps
1. Shake the gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a shaker filled with ice until chilled
2. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass
3. Top with soda water
4. Garnish with a lemon wheel or wedge and a cherry
While the Tom Collins is traditionally made with Old Tom gin or a dry gin, this classic cocktail is a great one to experiment with new fragrant gins to give it additional depth.
Spanish Style Gin Tonic “M&T”
If you’re a fan of a good classic G&T, this recipe is for you. This drink is so popular that even José Andrés said “In Spain, gin-tonic is not just a cocktail, it is an obsession.” While it’s true that you don’t always need a lot of ingredients for a standard gin and tonic, it’s always more fun to experiment with unique garnishes and gins. Try this recipe for a Spanish take on the gin and tonic.
Ingredients
2 ounces Mahon Gin
4 ounces tonic water, chilled
Garnish: juniper berries
Garnish: lemon wheel
Garnish: rosemary sprig
Steps
1. Pour the gin into a wine glass filled 3/4 full with ice.
2. Top with the tonic and stir gently and briefly to combine.
3. Garnish with juniper berries, a lemon wheel and a thyme sprig.
Gin Fizz
The final gin cocktail to make our list is the incredible gin fizz, a sophisticated yet refreshing drink that will elevate your next summer get together. Unlike the Tom Collins and Gimlet, the Gin Fizz is a bit more complex, but the results are worth it. Show off at your next party or simply treat yourself to a fancy gin cocktail with a classic gin fizz. To make one at home, try this recipe by epicurious:
Ingredients
2 ounces of gin
3-4 drops of orange flower water *available in liquor stores / specialty foods section of high-end supermarkets
1 large egg white
0.5 ounce of half-and-half
0.5 ounce of fresh lemon juice
0.5 ounce of fresh lime juice
0.5 ounce of simply syrup
1 ounce soda water
Steps
1. Shake the gin, orange flower water, egg white, half-and-half, lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a large cocktail shaker over ice until chilled
2. Strain mixture into an 8-ounce glass
3. Slowly pour soda water inside the edge of the shaker to loosen the remaining froth
Try Mahón gin for your summer gin cocktails
Mahón gin is one of the most unique gins available with bold flavors that take any gin cocktail to the next level. This award-winning gin continues to bring home new accolades every year across the globe, proving that the flavors pack a punch that people love. The Juniper berries used to make Mahón gin are sea-salt air aged for up to 4 years in open crates at the distillery, thus concentrating the flavors and delivering a smooth gin, without bitterness.
At Glass Revolution we specialize in importing the finest spirits from across the globe to the United States including Mahón gin. Click here to find out where to buy a bottle of your own and make sure to sign up for our newsletter to be the first to learn about new spirits coming to the US, exclusive virtual tastings, and more.