3 Easy Gin Cocktails to Impress Your Friends

April 10, 2025

Simple Gin Cocktails You Can Make at Home (Yes... Even if You're Not a Bartender)

Picture this. It’s a sunny weekend, your mates are over, the grill is sizzling, and someone suggests drinks. You could crack open a beer... or you could whip up a round of gin cocktails so good, you’ll be crowned the backyard mixologist forevermore.

The best bit? You don’t need to be a cocktail connoisseur to make these. With a few pantry staples, your favourite ice cubes, and some quality homebrew gin flavourings, these drinks are as easy as pouring a pint – but way more impressive.

Let me show you how you can start with a simple neutral spirit or vodka and use gin essences from our homebrew range to shake up something special. Trust me, your friends won’t be asking where you got the bottle…they’ll be asking for your recipe.

1. The Bold & Classic Gin & Tonic

This is where it all starts. Clean, bracing, and loved by almost everyone. If you're putting your homebrew skills to use, reach for the Still Spirits English Dry Gin. This essence brings that classic flavour you expect from a premium gin. We’re talking juniper-forward with a whisper of citrus and spice – exactly what makes a G&T sing.

45ml of your gin base (infused with English Dry Gin essence)
Top with quality tonic water
Add a slice of lime or grapefruit
Serve over a mountain of ice

The secret lies in the gin itself. Here’s where having full control over quality and flavour really pays off. With English Dry Gin essence, you’re not guessing what went into it – you chose every drop. There's confidence in that first sip, and serious street cred when your mates ask, “You made this?”

2. The Elderflower Crush

This one's a crowd-pleaser – light, elegant and ridiculously refreshing. It's what I reach for when the weather's warm and I want something that's both interesting and easy.

Start with Still Spirits Top Shelf Elderflower Gin flavouring. It marries fragrant floral notes with that unmistakable gin profile, but in such a smooth way that even non-gin drinkers are converted after a single glass.

40ml Elderflower Gin (home-crafted with flavouring and neutral spirit)
20ml elderflower cordial or soda water for less sweetness
Fresh cucumber slices and mint leaves
Top with lemonade or soda, depending on your mood

This cocktail tastes like Spring. You’ll sip it with a relaxed smile while the kids run around the yard and the sun hangs out just a little longer. Nobody needs to know you whipped it up in minutes.

3. Pink Gin Fizz

Here’s your Instagram-worthy moment – bright, smooth, and easy enough to batch before the guests arrive. The Still Spirits Pink Gin flavouring delivers those fruity forest berry notes with a soft blush pink hue that turns any humble highball glass into something special.

45ml Pink Gin (home-crafted with vodka or spirit and Still Spirits Pink Gin flavouring)
15ml lemon juice
Top with soda water or sparkling wine if you're feeling fancy
Toss in a few raspberries or strawberries for extra flair

I whip this up whenever I’ve forgotten to chill wine. It's a reliable “ooh what’s this?” kind of drink. And that’s exactly what you want when your gameplan is to be the host with the most.

Why Make Gin at Home?

If you're just getting into spirits from the homebrew side of things, gin is a fantastic place to start. It’s affordable. It doesn’t need barrel aging. And once you’ve got your neutral spirit sorted, the rest is pure fun. You’re choosing flavour profiles that fit your taste. You’re experimenting with infusions. And with essences like those from Still Spirits, it’s surprisingly simple to produce something that tastes – and looks – like it came from behind the bar at a trendy gastropub.

The Gin Shelf Gameplan

Here’s what I suggest stocking in your homebrew cabinet if you're planning cocktail nights:

Still Spirits English Dry Gin – perfect for a true dry gin flavour
Still Spirits Top Shelf Elderflower Gin – for floral-forward mixes
Still Spirits Pink Gin – adds colour and fruity flair to any recipe

These little bottles go a long way. And once you get confident, you’ll find yourself playing with garnishes, changing tonic types, and creating your own “house gin” that has mates bringing extra mixers to your next BBQ just so they won’t miss your cocktails.

Here’s to making good drinks, great company, and that unmistakable grin when you say, “Yeah, I made that.”

Cheers,
Candeece