Mixing Drinks

Although not everyone likes the taste of gin by itself, it vies-with vodka as the most mixable of spirits. It can be combined with just about anything.

Also called Pink Gin, Gin and Bitters is a singularly bracing and sophisticated combination.

Gin and Bitters

Serve straight-up, strained into an old-fashioned or lowball glass.

2 oz. Gin
½ tsp. Angostura bitters
Stir the gin and bitters in a glass with ice cubes until well chilled. Strain into the serving glass.

Gin and Campari

Serve in a lowball glass.

1 ½ oz. Gin
1 ½ oz. Campari
Combine gin and Campari in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into the serving glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange slice or a twist of orange.

Gin and Sin
Serve straight-up, strained into a cocktail glass.

2 oz. Gin
1 tbs. Cinzano
Combine gin and Cinzano in a glass with ice, stir until well chilled, then strain into the serving glass.

Negroni

Serve straight-up in a chilled cocktail glass.
2 oz. Gin Splash of club soda
½ oz. Sweet vermouth Orange peel
¾ oz. Campari

Combined all ingredients, except the orange peel, in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into the serving glass. Twist the orange peel and drop into the glass.

Gin and Ginger

Serve on the rocks in a chilled highball glass.

1 ½ oz. gin
Ginger ale to fill
Lemon twist

Combine gin and ginger ale in the serving glass filled with ice. Drop in the lemon twist.

Gin and Soda

1 ½-2 oz. gin
Club soda to fill
Lemon twist
Pour the gin into the serving glass filled with ice. Add club soda, and garnish with the lemon twist.

Gin and Tonic

Serve on the rocks in a highball glass.

2-2 ½ oz. gin
Tonic water to fill
Lime wedge or lemon twist

Pour the gin into the serving glass filled with ice. Add tonic, and garnish with a lime wedge (traditional) or, if you prefer, a lemon twist.

The Complete Idiot's Guide