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What to Mix with Gin (The Best Gin Mixers in 2024)

August 18, 2023 by

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If you’re wondering what to mix with gin, you can sit back and relax—The Mixer’s got you, boo. From classics like tonic water and bitter lemon to niche options like Earl Grey tea, there is a gin mixer out there with your name on it. Now go forth and find your favorite! 

1. Tonic water

A gin and tonic cocktail on a countertop in a light, brigh kitchen overlooking a garden

Tonic water has a fascinating history with medicinal origins. Several centuries ago, quinine, a bitter compound derived from the bark of the cinchona tree, was discovered by indigenous people in South America and used to treat fevers. Europeans later adopted it as a remedy for malaria.  

In the early 19th century, British officers stationed in India began mixing quinine with water, sugar, and citrus to make the bitter taste more palatable. This eventually evolved into the type of tonic water we know today. The botanical complexity of gin blends harmoniously with this mixer’s mild bitterness, while its carbonation adds vibrancy, resulting in a well-rounded, refreshing drink. 

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2. Bitter lemon

A gin and bitterlemon cocktail garnished with thyme in a tall glass on a wooden table in a modern lounge environment in daytime

Okay, so let’s get to the bit about what is good to mix with gin other than tonic water. Bitter lemon is a carbonated beverage featuring the zesty tang of lemon and a pleasant bitterness.  When paired with a dry gin like Bulldog Gin, the bitterness of this lemon drink harmonizes with the gin’s botanicals, enhancing the overall taste. The citrusy undertones also complement the juniper-forward nature of dry gin, resulting in a satisfying and complex drink. 

Is bitter better? Why Bitters for Cocktails Are on Everyone’s Lips 

3. Vermouth

A gin and vermouth martini on a veranda at dusk

There are two different types of vermouth, namely sweet vermouth and dry vermouth. Each of these fortified wines has a very distinct flavor profile. Generally clear or pale yellow in color, dry vermouth is light and airy, with well-integrated floral, fruity, and herbal notes. It is a popular choice for drinks like the classic Gin Martini because it enhances the flavors of the spirit while imparting a very subtle nuance of its own.     

Learn more: Everything You Need to Know About Vermouth 

4. Ginger beer  

Gin and ginger beer cocktail on a table outside in a garden beneath a tree in bloom in springtime

Drinks made with ginger beer are the ultimate thirst quencher for hot days, but the fiery flavors are also great to warm you up on colder evenings. This mixer’s bold spiciness and hints of sweetness complement dry gin’s botanical complexity. The contrast of flavors creates a lively and balanced cocktail, where the juniper notes of gin blend harmoniously with ginger beer’s kick, resulting in a refreshing and enticing drink. 

5. Cranberry juice  

A trio of cranberry and gin cocktails on a table in a room dressed for a Christmas event

Cranberry juice typically tastes tart and slightly tangy, with a natural acidity that’s balanced by a touch of sweetness. It has a distinct fruitiness that’s often described as both refreshing and slightly astringent. The flavor can vary depending on the type of cranberries used and any added sweeteners, but overall, cranberry juice tends to have a bold, bright taste that’s both invigorating and uniquely characteristic, making it a great mixer for gin. 

More cranberry goodness: 13 Cranberry Cocktails for Christmas 

6. Club soda

A gin and club soda cocktail in a light bright home kitchen decorated in shades of white

Club soda, also known as carbonated water or sparkling water, has a clean and neutral taste with a subtle effervescence. It’s essentially water that has been carbonated, creating tiny bubbles that give it a pleasant fizziness. Its flavor is very mild, making it a versatile mixer for gin cocktails like the Gin Rickey, in which it is often used to add carbonation without altering the taste of other ingredients. 

7. Orange juice

A gin and orange juice cocktail on a coffee table in a living room decored in a Midcentury Modern style

Orange juice has a bright and refreshing taste with a sweet and tangy flavor profile. It’s characterized by its natural citrusy sweetness and pleasant acidity. The taste can vary depending on factors like the type of oranges used (e.g., navel, Valencia), their ripeness, and whether the juice includes pulp. Overall, orange juice offers a delightful combination of sweetness and acidity, making it a popular and invigorating choice for a morning drink, as well as a versatile mixer in cocktails like Snoop Dogg’s Gin & Juice. 

Zest with the best: 22 Orange Juice Cocktails for Every Occasion & Season 

8. Lime juice

A gin and lime juice cocktail on a wooden table in a light bright home kitchen environment

Lime juice has a distinct and zesty taste, characterized by its bright acidity and pronounced citrus flavor. It’s tangy with a hint of bitterness, and its flavor is more intense compared to other citrus fruits. Lime juice can vary in taste depending on the type of lime used (e.g., Persian limes, Key limes) and its ripeness. It’s commonly used to add a vibrant and refreshing kick to a wide range of dishes, cocktails, and beverages, contributing a zesty and slightly tart element that balances and enhances flavors in gin cocktails. 

Love lime? 15 Sublime Lime Cocktails You Gotta Try 

9. Grapefruit juice

Two grapefruit juice cocktails on a white counter top in a pink room with fresh cut grapefruits around it

If you are pondering what to mix with gin instead of tonic and happen to enjoy a bit of subtle bitterness in a drink, may we suggest fresh grapefruit juice? Grapefruit juice has a unique and complex taste profile, characterized by its refreshing tartness, slightly bitter undertone, and natural sweetness. The flavor can vary based on the variety of grapefruit used (e.g., white, pink, or red) and its ripeness.  

Some people might find it more sour or bitter than other citrus juices, but this bitterness can be tempered with the right balance of sweetness. Overall, grapefruit juice offers a distinct combination of tanginess and subtle bittersweetness, making it a refreshing and versatile ingredient to pair with spirits like gin. 

Go, go, grapefruit! 12 Easy Grapefruit Cocktails Recipe to Try 

10. Pink lemonade

A pink lemonade and gin cocktail on a polished dark wood coffee table in a grand lounge

Pink lemonade typically has a sweet and fruity flavor that’s similar to regular lemonade but with a subtle twist. It’s often a bit sweeter and can have hints of berry or fruit flavors, which give it its pink color. The exact taste can vary depending on the recipe, but generally, pink lemonade offers a pleasant balance of sweet and tart. It’s a popular and refreshing beverage that’s perfect for hot days or as a playful twist on classic lemonade, making it a great option to pair with gin. 

Pretty in pink: 16 Best Pink Cocktails to Try This Year 

11. Pineapple juice

A gin and pineapple juice cocktail on a table in a greenhouse with a fresh pineapple next to it

Pineapple juice has a tasty tropical flavor that’s both sweet and tangy. It’s characterized by its rich sweetness, which comes from the natural sugars in the fruit. The tanginess of pineapple adds a pleasant acidic note that balances this bright sweetness. The taste can vary slightly depending on the ripeness and variety of pineapple used, but overall, pineapple juice offers a refreshing and vibrant profile that pairs very well with the herbaceous notes in gin.  

Stay tropical! Gin Mango Cocktail | Watermelon Gin Cocktail | Passionfruit Gin Cocktail 

12. Apple juice

A gin and apple juice cocktail in a breakfast nook in a sunny kitchen with fresh apples around

Apple juice has a naturally sweet and fruity taste, characterized by the pleasant sweetness of ripe apples. Depending on the variety of apples used and any additional processing, the taste can range from mild and slightly tart to rich and intensely sweet. It often carries a refreshing and crisp quality reminiscent of the fruit itself, making it a popular and enjoyable mixer for juniper-tinged gin. 

An apple a day! 6 Perfect Apple Cocktails to Make This Fall 

13. Cola (Coke)

A gin and cola cocktail on the bar counter of a home Tiki bar

Coca-Cola, often referred to as “coke”, has a distinct and complex flavor profile. It’s characterized by a combination of sweetness, caramel notes, a hint of acidity, and a touch of spiciness. The specific formula of Coca-Cola is a closely guarded secret, but its flavor is a mix of various ingredients, including carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup (or sugar), caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors, and caffeine. 

The result is a unique taste that balances sweetness with a slightly tangy and almost earthy quality from the caramel and spices. The carbonation adds a lively fizziness, enhancing the overall drinking experience. Coca-Cola’s flavor is iconic and has become recognizable worldwide, making it a popular and classic mixer for all kinds of different spirits. 

14. Earl Grey tea

An Early Grey Marteani on a marble table in a drawing room in a grand mansion

Tea cocktails are very popular at the moment, and we love the combination of Earl Grey and dry gin in particular. The Earl Grey MarTEAni is a unique variation on the classic Gin Sour Cocktail. It combines 1.5 oz Earl Grey tea-infused gin, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 1 oz simple syrup, and one egg white. The gin is infused with a quarter cup of Earl Grey tea leaves for two hours to impart its flavor, strained, and used in the cocktail afterward.  

15. Cucumber

A gin and cucumber cocktail on a table overlooking the ocean from a posh home veranda

Cucumber juice has a light and refreshing taste that’s mild, clean, and slightly watery. It has a subtle sweetness and a mild cucumber flavor and frequently has a cooling, refreshing sensation. The taste is delicate and less intense compared to other fruit juices, making it a popular choice for creating light and hydrating beverages.  

Gin cocktails like the Cucumber Martini also often incorporate muddled cucumber. Muddling is a gentle method to crush fruits and herbs to release their flavor, whereas blending or crushing would be too harsh. The easiest way to muddle a cucumber is to partially peel it first. Cut it into manageable chunks, place the chunks into a cocktail shaker or mason jar, and crush gently with the back of a rolling pin or muddler. 

There are so many options to play with! And, if you like playing around with cocktails and inspiring drinks as much as we do, sign up for our newsletter to join the fun!  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Gin is a versatile spirit that pairs well with a variety of mixers. This includes everything from fortified ingredients like dry vermouth to tonic, bitter lemon, Earl Grey tea, and fruit juices like pineapple, orange, and apple.

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