The Best Spring Drinks with Gin

Elderflower and cucumber Collins

This classic long drink gets a makeover with the addition of elderflower and cucumber. Simple and delicious.

• 2 parts Gin
• 2 parts elderflower cordial
• 1 part simple syrup (which can be made by combining 1 cup of water with 1 cup of sugar over a medium heat and stirring constantly until dissolved)
• 1 part freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Soda water
• Cucumber (to garnish)

Shake the Gin, cordial, sugar syrup and lemon juice with ice. Pour into a highball glass filled with ice, and top with soda. Garnish with cucumber.

Pimms

A British classic, this will go down a storm at any garden party, picnic, or afternoon in the springtime sunshine.

Pimms is made with Gin, but the addition of an extra tot of London Dry Gin gives this drink an extra punch.

• 2 parts Pimms
• 1 part Gin Lemonade
• Mint
• Strawberries
• Cucumber

Fill a highball glass with ice, add mint leaves, halved strawberries and wedges of cucumber.

Add the Pimms, Gin, and top with lemonade. Stir slowly to mix.

Gin and Grapefruit Fizz

A classic ‘fizz’ must include both lemon juice and carbonated water.

For this modern twist, we’ve swapped the lemon for its bitter cousin; grapefruit.

• 2 parts Gin
• 2 parts grapefruit juice
• A pinch of brown sugar
• Lime wedges (to garnish)
• Soda water

Combine Gin, grapefruit juice and sugar, shake vigorously with ice. Pour into a tumbler filled with ice, top with soda water and add lime wedges to garnish.

Cucumber & Rosemary Gimlet

Refreshing, delicate, herbal.

This twist on an old favourite makes for wonderful springtime drinking.

• 3 parts Gin
• 2 parts freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 part simple syrup (see method for making your own above)
• Cucumber slices
• Rosemary sprigs

Muddle cucumber slices and rosemary in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and add the gin, lime juice and simple syrup. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

And finally… The Classic G&T (with a twist!)

The best G&T is however you like it (lots vs little tonic, lemon vs lime, herbal vs floral, we could go on…) but try this twist on the classic G&T for something really special.

• Gin (as much as you like, but generally, we go for 1 part Gin to 2 parts tonic)
• Tonic (Indian, Mediterranean or flavoured, pick a tonic to complement your Gin)
• Bitters
• Ice