Gin, with its rich history and versatile flavor profile, has been the backbone of many classic cocktails. Whether you’re a gin aficionado or just starting to explore this delightful spirit, here are ten classic gin cocktails that you absolutely must try.

1. Gin and Tonic

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 4 oz tonic water
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions: Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the gin, top with tonic water, and gently stir. Garnish with a lime wedge for a refreshing twist.

2. Martini

Ingredients:

• 2.5 oz gin
• 0.5 oz dry vermouth
• Lemon twist or olive for garnish

Instructions: In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine gin and vermouth. Stir until well chilled and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or an olive.

3. Negroni

Ingredients:

• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions: Combine gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass with ice. Stir well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange peel.

4. Tom Collins

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• Club soda
• Lemon slice and cherry for garnish

Instructions: Fill a shaker with ice and add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake well and strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon slice and cherry.

5. French 75

Ingredients:

• 1 oz gin
• 0.5 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• Champagne
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions: In a shaker filled with ice, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake well and strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.

6. Aviation

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 0.5 oz maraschino liqueur
• 0.25 oz crème de violette
• 0.75 oz lemon juice
• Cherry for garnish

Instructions: Combine gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.

7. Bee’s Knees

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 0.75 oz lemon juice
• 0.75 oz honey syrup

Instructions: In a shaker filled with ice, mix gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

8. Last Word

Ingredients:

• 0.75 oz gin
• 0.75 oz green Chartreuse
• 0.75 oz maraschino liqueur
• 0.75 oz lime juice

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

9. Clover Club

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz gin
• 0.75 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz raspberry syrup
• 1 egg white

Instructions: Dry shake all ingredients (shake without ice) to emulsify the egg white. Add ice and shake again. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

10. Corpse Reviver #2

Ingredients:

• 0.75 oz gin
• 0.75 oz Cointreau
• 0.75 oz Lillet Blanc
• 0.75 oz lemon juice
• Dash of absinthe
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions: Combine gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, and lemon juice in a shaker with ice. Add a dash of absinthe. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.