Easy Gin Cocktail Recipes for Summer Entertaining

When the sun’s out and friends drop by, nothing beats a tray of easy, refreshing gin cocktails. These five recipes use simple ingredients—and little effort—so you can spend less time bartending and more time enjoying the party.

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1. Raspberry Gin Smash

Ingredients

• 50 ml London Dry gin
• 8–10 fresh raspberries
• 25 ml fresh lemon juice
• 20 ml sugar syrup
• Soda water to top

Method

1. Muddle raspberries, lemon juice and sugar syrup in a highball glass.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Pour gin over the ice.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Top with soda water and stir once more.

Garnish & Tip

• Drop in a couple of whole raspberries.
• Use frozen berries if fresh ones aren’t in season.

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2. Cucumber & Mint Gin Fizz

Ingredients

• 50 ml cucumber-infused gin (see DIY Gin Infusions)
• 25 ml fresh lime juice
• 15 ml sugar syrup
• 6–8 mint leaves
• Soda water to top

Method

1. Muddle mint leaves lightly with sugar syrup in a shaker.
2. Add gin, lime juice and ice; shake for 10 seconds.
3. Fine-strain into an ice-filled copa glass.
4. Top with soda water.

Garnish & Tip

• Slit a cucumber ribbon and drape it inside the glass.
• For extra chill, freeze cucumber slices as ice cubes.

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3. Elderflower & Gin Spritz

Ingredients

• 50 ml gin
• 25 ml elderflower liqueur (e.g. St-Germain)
• 100 ml prosecco or dry sparkling wine
• Soda water to taste

Method

1. Build gin and elderflower liqueur over ice in a wine glass.
2. Add prosecco.
3. Top with a splash of soda water.
4. Stir once.

Garnish & Tip

• Float an edible flower or a thin lemon wheel on top.
• Swap prosecco for a light English sparkling wine for a local twist.

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4. Grapefruit & Rosemary G&T

Ingredients

• 50 ml gin
• 150 ml premium tonic water
• 1 wedge pink grapefruit
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary

Method

1. Fill a copa glass with large ice cubes.
2. Pour gin over the ice.
3. Squeeze the grapefruit wedge to express oils, then drop in the glass.
4. Add tonic water slowly down a bar spoon.
5. Stir lightly.
6. Nestle the rosemary sprig against the glass wall.

Garnish & Tip

• Gently slap the rosemary between your hands before dropping in to release its aroma.
• For extra colour, rim the glass with fine sugar and a pinch of finely chopped rosemary.

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5. Tropical Gin Punch

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 200 ml gin
• 100 ml pineapple juice
• 100 ml orange juice
• 50 ml lime juice
• 30 ml grenadine
• Ice and soda water

Method

1. Combine gin and all juices in a large pitcher with ice.
2. Stir well until the pitcher feels cold.
3. Pour into ice-filled tumblers, leaving room to top up.
4. Add a splash of soda water to each glass.

Garnish & Tip

• Float tropical fruit slices (pineapple, orange) in the pitcher.
• Make it punchy by topping each glass with a dash more grenadine.

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Expert Entertaining Tips

• Prep in Advance: Muddle fruit and make syrups the day before.
• Ice Matters: Use large, clear cubes to slow dilution. Freeze fruit inside ice trays for decorative cubes.
• Glassware Station: Set out glasses, napkins and garnishes for a self-serve cocktail bar.
• Keep It Cool: Store gin and tonic bottles in the fridge for instant chill.

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With these easy recipes, your next summer gathering will be as effortless as it is delicious. Cheers!

Visit: The Gin Lounge Ilkley