Christmas cheer cocktails with gin

Gin is one of my favourite tipples and it’s really having a resurgence at the moment. This means that the alcohol stores and cocktail bars are getting more exotic styles of gin in as well.

Gin is generally a clear grain alcohol mixed with botanicals. The main botanical will be juniper. However, there could be different berries or herbs and spices also incorporated. The balancing of those botanical flavours is what sets a gin apart.

When you are looking at flavour profiles like almond, citrus peel, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg, it’s easy to see how Christmas and gin should always go together. Here are five amazing gin cocktails for maximum Christmas cheer!

Cranberry gin

Cranberry is a Christmas favourite for me. The colour is so festive, so merry and bright! If you like your drinks on the sour side, this is perfect.

You will need:

• 2 nips of gin
• 150 ml cranberry drink
• 10 ml of lemon juice
• Ice cubes
• Mint leaves (optional)

To prepare:

1. Fill the tumbler with ice and add the gin and the lemon juice
2. Top off with the cranberry juice and stir
3. Garnish with bruised mint leaves
4. You can also add some bubbly if you want a bit of fizz

Gin flip

A flip is a frothy cocktail that has a whole egg in it. This one reminds me of egg nog and that is why it’s made my Christmas cocktail list.

You will need:

• 2 nips of gin
• 20 ml maple syrup
• 3 drops of black walnut bitters
• 10 ml of cream
• 1 whole egg
• Ice cubes
• Nutmeg
• Cherries

To prepare:

1. In a shaker add all the ingredients except the ice
2. Break up the egg and give the mix a further stir
3. Add ice and shake
4. Strain into a glass
5. Shake a little nutmeg on top and add a stick of cherries to garnish

Orange gin

I love the taste of fresh orange in summer. Pairing orange with gin gives a light and refreshing cocktail for those hot summer festivities.

You will need:

• 1 nip of gin
• 1 nip of sweet vermouth
• 10 ml of lime juice
• 80ml of orange juice
• Ice cubes

To prepare:

1. Into a glass add ice cubes, gin, vermouth and juices
2. Stir the mixture
3. Garnish with a slice of orange to be extra

Classic sour gimlet

Another for those who love a sour cocktail – that sour lime really pops here. It will make a nice change from all the Christmas eats that tend to be on the sweet side.

You will need:

• 2 nips of gin
• 20 ml of Rose’s Lime cordial
• 20 ml lime juice

To prepare:

1. Shake together with ice
2. Strain into a cocktail glass
3. This is quite a heavy hitter both with the sour flavour and alcohol. So, If you are looking to add a mixer, you can’t go too wrong with soda water or lemonade.

Sloe gin fizz

Sloe gin is technically more of a sloe berry liquer, but this cocktail belongs in this list because it’s a smash hit for celebratory drinking. So elegant!

You will need:

• 25 mls of sloe gin
• 150 ml of bubbly

To prepare:

1. Add the Gin to a flute glass
2. Top with bubbly

Are you a gin lover? What’s your favourite Christmas tipple?

See more:

• Classy snack for Christmas Day
• Tropicana cocktails with white rum
• Vodka and watermelo cocktail

Written by Kym Moore

When she isn’t herding cats, Kym loves to drink craft beer, or share a whine and a wine with friends. She is also partial to a well-made cocktail. Her happy places include sitting on couch watching British Comedy and daydreaming. Lots of daydreaming.

Favourite artist: Bowie