![Winter Gin Cocktails](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/282419-340x227-winter-gin-cocktails.jpg)
Often thought of as a spirit that's best for spring or summer, gin is equally great year-round for winter sipping as well. Its natural juniper and pine flavors make gin cocktails a great pairing for winter, blending naturally with decorations and parties. So when you're debating between bourbon or gin, consider making up some winter gin cocktails.
Winter Warming Negroni
![Winter Warm Negroni](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/282420-340x227-winter-warm-negroni.jpg)
An upgrade from the classic negroni, its warming effects are perfect for winter.
Ingredients
- 1¼ ounces gin
- 1¼ ounces Campari
- 1¼ ounces sweet vermouth
- ¾ ounce allspice dram
- Ice and king cube
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, and allspice dram.
- Stir rapidly to mix.
- Strain into rocks glass over king cube.
- Garnish with lemon peel.
Golden Purl
![Golden Purl](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/282421-340x227-golden-purl.jpg)
Bourbon isn't the only spirit that works well warm. This classic cocktail uses warmed apple and gin.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces apple cider
- ¾ ounce maple syrup
- 1¾ ounces gin
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Orange wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, warm apple cider and maple syrup.
- Stir well to mix until the maple syrup has dissolved.
- After the mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
- Carefully pour apple cider mixture into mug.
- Add gin and orange bitters.
- Stir carefully to mix.
- Garnish with orange wheel.
Rosemary Clover Club
![Rosemary Clover Club](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/282422-340x227-rosemary-clover-club.jpg)
Herbs are a great way to add some winter and tasty flavor to cocktails, rosemary especially so.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces gin
- ¼ ounce grenadine
- ¼ ounce lemon juice
- 1 egg white
- ½ ounce rosemary simple syrup
- Ice
- Rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add gin, grenadine, lemon juice, rosemary simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with rosemary sprig.
Martinez
![Martinez](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/282423-340x227-martinez.jpg)
A close relative of the martini and Manhattan, this cocktail warms you from the inside out.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces gin
- 1½ ounces sweet vermouth
- ¼ ounce maraschino liqueur
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or Nick and Nora glass.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitters.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with orange peel.
Winter Berry Bramble
![Winter Berry Bramble](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/282424-340x227-winter-berry-bramble.jpg)
The gorgeous layering of this cocktail uses winter berry flavors and gin for a great sip.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- ¾ ounce raspberry liqueur
- Crushed ice
- Blackberry and lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass, add crushed ice, gin, lemon juice, and orange liqueur.
- Slowly pour in raspberry liqueur, allowing it to sink.
- Garnish with blackberry and lemon slice.
Cranberry Negroni
![Cranberry Negroni](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/282425-340x227-cranberry-negroni.jpg)
The tart flavor and deep color of the cranberry juice give this negroni a refreshing but still familiar and tart flavor to this cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces gin
- ¾ ounce tart cranberry juice
- ¾ ounce sweet vermouth
- ¾ ounce Campari
- Ice
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, tart cranberry juice, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice or king cube.
- Garnish with lemon peel.
Mulled Juniper Wine
![Mulled Juniper Wine](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/282426-340x227-mulled-juniper-wine.jpg)
Bourbon and vodka aren't the only ones that are great with mulled wine. Gin's natural juniper flavors give it a wintery upgrade. This recipe will make around five servings, depending on mug size.
Ingredients
- 750mL bottle dry red wine, Merlot, or Cabernet
- 10 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise
- 1 orange, evenly sliced into wheels
- 2 ounce simple syrup
- 4 ounces gin
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add wine, spices, orange slices, simple syrup, and gin.
- Allow to just shy of simmer for a minimum of 15 minutes, but no more than 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Do not boil.
- Strain out spices.
- Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
- After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
- Carefully ladle mixture into mugs.
- Garnish with lemon slice.
Harvest Apple 75
![Harvest Apple 75](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/282427-340x227-harvest-apple-75.jpg)
Apples are a great fall and winter flavor. The classic French 75 changes up the ingredients for a colder weather vibe.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces gin
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Sparkling cider to top off
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a champagne flute, add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Top off with sparkling cider.
- Garnish with lemon peel.
Winter Gin Sour
![Winter Gin Sour](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/282428-340x227-winter-gin-sour.jpg)
Egg whites give sour-style cocktails a creamy, warm richness. Consider this a happy cross between a gimlet and a sour.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ¼ ounce rosemary simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Rosemary sprig, orange peel, and bitters for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add gin, lemon juice, orange liqueur, and rosemary simple syrup.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with rosemary sprig and orange peel, using drops of bitters to create design.
Apple Gin Old-Fashioned
![Apple Gin Old-Fashioned](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/282429-340x227-apple-gin-old-fashioned.jpg)
A classic winter warmer bourbon cocktail gets a gin make-over.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces apple cider
- 2 ounces gin
- ¾ ounce rosemary simple syrup
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 4 dashes aromatic bitters
- Ice
- Rosemary sprig, orange slice, and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
In a cocktail shaker, add ice, apple cider, gin, rosemary simple syrup, and bitters.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice or king cube.
- Garnish with rosemary sprig, orange slice, and cinnamon stick.
Frosted Cranberry Gin Fizz
![Frosted Cranberry Gin Fizz](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/282431-340x227-frosted-cranberry-gin-fizz.jpg)
A fizzy cocktail is always appropriate for any winter celebration.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ¾ ounce cranberry vodka
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Cranberries and rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, gin, cranberry vodka, lemon juice, and orange liqueur.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with cranberries and rosemary sprig.
Winter Sage Gin Martini
![Winter Sage Gin Martini](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/282432-340x227-winter-sage-gin-martini.jpg)
The herbal sage makes the classic gin martini a cozy sip, especially with some blankets or by a fire.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ½ ounce sage simple syrup
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Sage leaf for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add gin, sage simple syrup, lemon juice, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with sage leaf.
Winter and Gin
Gin is the ideal winter spirit--it's already packed with juniper flavor, reminiscent of pine trees with that delicate woodsy note. Winter gin cocktails are an excellent way to shake yourself out of a cocktail rut, so consider gin instead of bourbon the next time you want a cocktail as you watch the snowfall.