You don’t need a fully stocked cocktail bar or professional mixology skills to make a great gin cocktail at home.
Some of the best gin cocktails use just a handful of ingredients, plenty of ice and a good-quality gin as their starting point. From a classic Gin & Tonic and refreshing Gin Mojito to fruity Rhubarb Fizz and Strawberry & Lime Spritz, there are plenty of simple gin cocktails you can make in minutes.
At Exeter Gin, we produce a range of handcrafted Devon gins, from our classic Exeter Gin London Dry Gin to fruity and contemporary varieties from the Granny Garbutt’s range.
So, if you’re searching for easy gin cocktail recipes, here are 10 simple serves to try at home.
1. Classic Exeter Gin & Tonic
Let’s start with arguably the easiest gin cocktail of them all: the classic Gin & Tonic.
A good G&T allows the gin itself to do most of the talking, which makes it the perfect serve for Exeter Gin London Dry Gin 44%.
Ingredients
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50ml Exeter Gin London Dry Gin
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100–150ml premium tonic water
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Plenty of ice
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Lemon or lime to garnish
Method
Fill a large gin glass with plenty of ice.
Pour over 50ml of Exeter Gin, top slowly with chilled tonic and gently stir.
Finish with a slice or twist of fresh lemon or lime.
Why it works
Keeping the serve simple allows the juniper and botanical character of the London Dry Gin to shine through.
Difficulty: Very easy
Perfect for: Friday evenings, summer drinks and a classic pre-dinner G&T.
2. Pink Grapefruit Gin & Tonic
If you love a classic G&T but want something fruitier, pink grapefruit provides an easy upgrade.
This refreshing cocktail is also one of Exeter Gin’s own suggested serves.
Ingredients
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50ml Exeter Gin
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100ml pink grapefruit tonic water
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Fresh pink grapefruit
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Lemon
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Lemon thyme, optional
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Ice
Method
Fill your glass generously with ice.
Add the Exeter Gin followed by pink grapefruit tonic.
Gently stir and garnish with fresh grapefruit and lemon. Add a sprig of lemon thyme if you have some to hand.
Why it works
The sharp, bittersweet flavour of grapefruit complements the botanicals in a London Dry Gin without overpowering them.
Difficulty: Very easy
Perfect for: Summer afternoons and garden drinks.
3. Easy Gin Basil Mojito
Think a Mojito has to contain rum? Think again.
A Gin Basil Mojito replaces traditional rum with Exeter Gin and combines it with lime, basil and soda for a fresh and herbaceous cocktail.
Ingredients
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50ml Exeter Gin
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3–4 fresh basil leaves
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1 lime
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1–2 teaspoons soft brown sugar
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Around 75ml soda water
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Ice
Method
Place the basil, a lime wedge and sugar into a sturdy glass and gently muddle.
Add another couple of lime wedges and press again to release the juice.
Fill the glass with ice, add the Exeter Gin and finish with soda water.
Stir gently and garnish with fresh lime or basil.
Why it works
Basil brings a fresh herbal flavour while lime adds acidity, creating a refreshing alternative to a traditional Mojito.
Difficulty: Easy
Perfect for: BBQs, summer parties and drinks in the garden.
4. Rhubarb Gin Fizz
Fruit gin makes creating simple cocktails even easier because much of the flavour is already in the spirit.
For this easy Rhubarb Gin Fizz, use Grandad’s Allotment Rhubarb Gin, made with British farm fruit.
Ingredients
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20ml fresh lemon juice
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10ml sugar syrup
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Soda water
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Ice
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Lemon or fresh rhubarb to garnish
Method
Add the rhubarb gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup to an ice-filled glass.
Stir well, top with soda water and garnish.
For an even simpler version, leave out the sugar syrup if you prefer your cocktail sharper.
Why it works
Rhubarb naturally combines sweetness and acidity, while lemon and soda create a light, refreshing long drink.
Difficulty: Very easy
Perfect for: Spring and summer entertaining.
5. Strawberry & Lime Gin Spritz
If you’re searching for an easy fruity gin cocktail, this is one of the simplest.
Grandad’s Allotment Strawberry & Lime Gin already combines two flavours that work brilliantly in a refreshing spritz.
Ingredients
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100ml lemonade or soda water
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50ml sparkling wine, optional
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Ice
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Fresh strawberries
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Lime wedges
Method
Fill a large wine glass with ice.
Add the Strawberry & Lime Gin, followed by lemonade or soda.
For a more celebratory serve, add a splash of sparkling wine.
Garnish with sliced strawberries and lime.
Why it works
Strawberry brings natural fruitiness while lime keeps the cocktail fresh and vibrant.
Difficulty: Very easy
Perfect for: Summer parties, celebrations and brunch.
6. Avocado & Lime Gin Cooler
Avocado might not be the first botanical you associate with gin, which is precisely what makes Granny Garbutt’s Avocado & Lime Gin an interesting base for an easy cocktail.
Rather than adding lots of competing flavours, keep this one crisp and simple.
Ingredients
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15ml fresh lime juice
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Soda water
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Ice
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Fresh lime
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Mint, optional
Method
Fill a highball glass with ice.
Pour in the gin and fresh lime juice.
Top generously with soda water and gently stir.
Garnish with a lime wheel and a little fresh mint.
Why it works
The clean citrus flavour of lime complements the gin while soda keeps the drink light and refreshing.
Difficulty: Very easy
Perfect for: Something a little different on a warm afternoon.
7. Exeter Gin Negroni
The Negroni is one of the world’s classic gin cocktails and, despite its sophisticated reputation, it is incredibly easy to make.
There’s no complicated shaking required – just three ingredients.
Ingredients
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25ml Exeter Gin
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25ml Campari
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25ml sweet red vermouth
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Ice
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Orange peel
Method
Add the gin, Campari and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice.
Stir until chilled and strain into a short glass over fresh ice.
Finish with a twist of orange peel.
Why it works
Gin brings botanical freshness, vermouth provides sweetness and complexity, while Campari gives the Negroni its unmistakable bittersweet character.
Prefer a slightly longer drink? Exeter Gin’s own Negroni recipe uses equal 50ml measures of each spirit.
Difficulty: Easy
Perfect for: Aperitivo hour and after-dinner drinks.
8. Navy Strength Gin & Ginger
If you like your gin with a little more intensity, Ivaar the Boneless Navy Strength London Dry Gin is bottled at 57% ABV.
Because Navy Strength Gin has a stronger alcoholic and botanical character, you don’t need lots of ingredients to create a flavoursome drink.
Ingredients
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100–150ml premium ginger ale
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Plenty of ice
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Fresh lime
Method
Fill a tall glass with ice.
Add the Navy Strength Gin and top slowly with ginger ale.
Gently stir and squeeze over a wedge of fresh lime.
Why it works
The warmth of ginger stands up well to the more powerful character of a Navy Strength Gin, while lime adds brightness.
Difficulty: Very easy
Perfect for: Anyone who enjoys a bolder, spicier gin serve.
Remember that Navy Strength Gin has a higher alcohol content than standard gin, so measure carefully and enjoy responsibly.
9. Granny Garbutt’s Elderflower Collins
The Tom Collins is a classic combination of gin, lemon, sweetness and soda.
For an easy Devon-inspired variation, use Granny Garbutt’s London Dry Gin and replace some of the traditional sugar syrup with elderflower cordial.
Ingredients
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20ml fresh lemon juice
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15ml elderflower cordial
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Soda water
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Ice
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Lemon to garnish
Method
Add the gin, lemon juice and elderflower cordial to a tall glass filled with ice.
Stir well.
Top with soda water and finish with a fresh lemon wheel.
Why it works
Elderflower adds gentle floral sweetness without hiding the juniper-led character of the London Dry Gin.
Difficulty: Very easy
Perfect for: Summer lunches, afternoon drinks and garden parties.
10. Devon Gin Lemonade
Sometimes the easiest cocktails are the best.
Our final cocktail takes inspiration from Exeter Gin’s Devonish Lemonade, which combines Exeter Gin with Devon cider, elderflower and lemon.
For a quick single-serve version at home, you can simplify things considerably.
Ingredients
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50ml Exeter Gin
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15ml elderflower cordial
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20ml fresh lemon juice
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100ml chilled lemonade
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Ice
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Fresh apple or lemon to garnish
Method
Fill a tall glass with ice.
Add the Exeter Gin, elderflower cordial and fresh lemon juice.
Top with chilled lemonade, gently stir and garnish with apple or lemon.
Make it more Devon
For a longer sharing version, replace some of the lemonade with chilled Devon cider and serve from a jug filled with ice, fresh apple and lemon.
Why it works
Lemon, elderflower and gin are an easy combination to recreate at home, creating a refreshing drink that is ideal for warmer weather.
Difficulty: Very easy
Perfect for: Picnics, BBQs and summer entertaining.
What are the easiest gin cocktails to make?
The easiest gin cocktails generally contain between two and four main ingredients.
If you’re new to making cocktails at home, start with:
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Gin & Tonic
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Gin and ginger ale
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Gin and lemonade
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Gin Fizz
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Gin Spritz
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Tom Collins
You don’t even need a cocktail shaker for most of these drinks. A glass, ice, a measure and a spoon are often all you need.
What mixes well with gin?
One of the reasons gin is so popular in cocktails is its versatility.
Some of the best mixers for gin include:
Tonic water: The classic choice for a Gin & Tonic.
Soda water: Perfect when you want a lighter drink that allows the gin's botanicals to shine.
Lemonade: Adds sweetness and citrus and works especially well with fruit-flavoured gins.
Ginger ale: A great pairing for stronger or spicier gins.
Elderflower tonic or cordial: Adds floral sweetness to London Dry Gin.
Grapefruit tonic: Brings bittersweet citrus flavour and creates an easy alternative to a traditional G&T.
Sparkling wine: Ideal for gin spritzes and celebration cocktails.
What fruit goes well with gin cocktails?
Citrus fruits are some of the most versatile gin garnishes.
Lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit can complement the juniper and botanical character of many London Dry Gins.
Berries also work particularly well in fruity gin cocktails. Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries can add colour, sweetness and aroma without requiring complicated ingredients.
The best garnish will ultimately depend on the botanicals and flavours already present in your gin.
Do you need a cocktail shaker to make gin cocktails?
No.
Many of the easiest gin cocktails can be built directly in the glass.
Gin & Tonics, spritzes, Collins-style drinks, gin and ginger ale and gin lemonade can all be made simply by adding the ingredients to a glass filled with ice and stirring gently.
Cocktails containing fruit juice, egg white or ingredients that need to be thoroughly combined usually benefit from shaking.
Which Exeter Gin is best for cocktails?
That depends on the type of cocktail you want to make.
Exeter Gin London Dry Gin 44% is an excellent all-rounder for classic gin cocktails including Gin & Tonics, Negronis, Collins and gin-based Mojitos.
Ivaar the Boneless Navy Strength Gin 57% has a much bolder character and works particularly well in cocktails paired with robust flavours such as ginger and citrus.
Granny Garbutt’s London Dry Gin 42% is another versatile London Dry option for classic and floral cocktails.
For easy fruity gin cocktails, Grandad’s Allotment Rhubarb Gin and Grandad’s Allotment Strawberry & Lime Gin provide plenty of flavour before you even add your mixer.
And if you fancy trying something a little more unusual, Granny Garbutt’s Avocado & Lime Gin creates a distinctive citrus-led serve.
Easy gin cocktails start with great gin
You don't need obscure ingredients, expensive equipment or professional bartending skills to create delicious gin cocktails at home.
Start with a quality gin, add plenty of ice and choose one or two flavours that complement its botanicals.
Whether your favourite is a traditional Exeter Gin & Tonic, a fruity Strawberry & Lime Spritz or a bold Navy Strength Gin & Ginger, there is an easy gin cocktail for almost every occasion.
And once you've mastered these 10 recipes, there's a whole world of gin cocktails waiting to be explored.
Discover the Exeter Gin range online, or visit Exeter Gin in Teignmouth, South Devon, to learn more about our locally crafted spirits, gin tastings and gin-making experiences.
Please enjoy responsibly.