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The combination of gin and juice is simple, yet appealing. Gin is a smooth, hard alcohol flavored with juniper berries, and the taste often blends well with the taste of fruit juice. You can combine gin and juice for a straight gin-and-juice drink, or you can also add simple syrup or soda water to create a cocktail with a little more kick.
Ingredients
- 1.5 to 2 oz. (45 to 60 ml) gin
- 5 oz. (150 ml) juice
- Ice
- Garnish, such as a fruit wedge or sprig of mint
- 2 oz. (60 ml) gin
- 0.75 oz. (22.5 ml) lemon juice
- 0.75 oz. (22.5 ml) simple syrup
- Ice
- 1.25 oz. (37.5 ml) gin
- 0.25 oz. (7.5 ml) lime juice
- 1 oz. (30 ml) soda water
- Ice
- 1.25 oz. inexpensive gin (Aristocrat or McCalls, others too junipery)
- 1.25 oz. orange juice ("not from concentrate" tastes better)
- 1.25 oz. lemon-lime "soda" soft drink (Diet okay if counting calories)
Steps
Basic Gin and Juice
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1Pour the gin and juice into a shaker. As a general rule, you should use about 5 oz (150 ml) of juice per 1.5 to 2 oz (45 to 60 ml) of gin. The type of juice you use is really up to you, but tart juices are more commonly used than sweet juices.
- For a milder taste, consider using pineapple juice, orange juice, pomegranate juice, cherry juice, or grape juice.
- For a slightly stronger taste, consider grapefruit juice or cranberry juice.
- You can also combine juices as long as the ratio of gin to juice remains the same. Try mixing grapefruit juice and orange juice, cranberry and grape, or another of your favorite juice combinations.[1]
- Strong citrus fruits, like lemon and lime, can also be mixed with gin but are generally combined with other ingredients, like syrup or soda water, to dilute the sourness.
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2Shake the liquids together. Secure the lid on the container and shake it using a vigorous up and down motion away from your face and away from anyone else. Shake it for at least 15 seconds to mix the ingredients completely.Advertisement
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3Fill a chilled highball glass with ice cubes. To chill the glass, store it inside the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes before using it. Fill the glass at least halfway full with ice.
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4Pour the gin and juice into the glass. Release the lid and pour the contents of the mixture over the ice.
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5Add a garnish. A slice of citrus fruit, like lemon or lime, works well depending on the juices in your drink. You could also float a small sprig of mint on top of the drink.
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6Serve immediately. In order to maintain a proper balance of flavor, the drink should be consumed before the ice has a chance to melt.
Gin Rickey
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1In a medium glass, combine the gin and lime juice.[2] You can use the base of a cocktail shaker, a highball glass, or any other clear glass. You only need the glass to mix the juice. It is not the glass you will be drinking out of.
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2Mix the juice and gin using a bar spoon. A bar spoon is a special utensil with a long shaft, specially created for stirring cocktails.
- Hold the spoon near the top of the twisted section with your thumb and first two fingers.
- Sink the spoon into your glass, near the side but not touching it. Twirl the shaft, moving both back and forth and up and down. Continue stirring for about 30 seconds.
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3Fill a chilled highball glass 1/2 to 3/4 full with ice. Chill the glass beforehand by keeping it in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes, or by storing it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
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4Pour the contents of the first glass into the second. Go slowly and carefully to avoid spilling any of the drink.
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5Add the soda water to the drink. Do not shake or stir the soda water, since doing so may cause it to go flat. Instead, allow the liquids to combine lightly and naturally. Soda water is another great way to water down the bitterness of an extremely sour juice.
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6Add garnish and serve!
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7Finished.
Gin Sour
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1Fill the shaker with ice. You should fill it about halfway, if not a little higher.
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2Pour the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into the shaker.[3] A simple syrup is nothing more than a combination of equal parts granulated sugar and water, heated together until the sugar dissolves. Simple syrups are great for reducing the bitterness of alcohol and extremely sour juices. Pour all three liquids into your shaker and over the ice before securing the cap.
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3Shake vigorously. The ice in the shaker not only cools the cocktail but also helps to combine the syrup into the alcohol and the juice. Continue shaking using your dominant hand, pointing the lid of the shaker away from you and anyone else, for 15 to 30 seconds.
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4Strain the drink into a cocktail glass. The strainer built into your shaker should suffice, but you can also double-strain your gin sour by pouring the liquid through a separate cocktail strainer, as well.
Warnings
- Drink responsibly. Do not drink if you plan on operating a motor vehicle or if you need to do another activity that requires focus and attention.⧼thumbs_response⧽
Things You’ll Need
- Cocktail shaker
- Bar spoon
- Cocktail glass
- Highball glass
- Cocktail strainer
References
About This Article
To make basic gin and juice, combine 1.5-2 oz (30-45mL), or about a shot, of gin with a half ounce (15 mL) of juice in a cocktail mixer and shake for 15 seconds. For a milder taste you might try using pineapple or orange juice, and for a stronger taste try cranberry juice. Finally, fill a highball glass halfway with ice, then pour the gin mixture into the glass. You can even add a slice of lime or sprig of mint on top for garnish. To learn how to make other gin drinks, like a gin rickey or a gin sour, read on!