Go Back

Gin and Juice

A refreshing cocktail that strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and elegance. This drink combines quality gin with fresh juice, creating a crisp, balanced, and genuinely craveable beverage that's ideal for casual weeknight sips or impressing guests without fuss.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: Modern Cocktail
Calories: 140
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 2 ounces 60 ml gin, preferably London Dry style
  • 4 ounces 120 ml fresh juice, such as grapefruit, orange, cranberry, or apple
  • 0.5 ounce 15 ml fresh lemon juice, squeezed from half a lemon
  • 0.25 ounce 7.5 ml simple syrup, optional for balancing tartness
  • 6 to 8 ice cubes
  • Citrus wheel or twist for garnish

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker or mason jar with a lid
  • Jigger or shot glass for measuring
  • Bar spoon or regular spoon
  • Strainer
  • Highball or rocks glass
  • Citrus juicer
  • Knife and cutting board

Method
 

  1. Fill your highball or rocks glass with ice and set it aside while you prepare the drink. A chilled glass keeps your cocktail cold longer and makes the final sip more refreshing.
  2. Add 6 to 8 ice cubes to your cocktail shaker or mason jar. The ice chills the ingredients quickly and dilutes the drink just enough to balance the alcohol content.
  3. Pour 2 ounces of gin into the shaker using a jigger to measure precisely. Accurate measuring ensures the drink stays balanced and not overly boozy.
  4. Pour 4 ounces of your chosen juice into the shaker. If you're using freshly squeezed juice, pour it in now; store-bought is fine if fresh isn't available.
  5. Squeeze 0.5 ounce of fresh lemon juice directly into the shaker or measure it with a jigger. The lemon juice brightens the overall flavor and adds necessary tartness.
  6. If your juice is tart or you prefer a slightly sweeter drink, add 0.25 ounce of simple syrup now. Taste preference matters here, so feel free to skip this step or adjust based on the juice you chose.
  7. Cover the shaker with its lid and shake hard for about 10 seconds, holding it firmly with both hands. Vigorous shaking chills the drink quickly and mixes all ingredients evenly.
  8. Dump the ice from your glass and strain the shaken cocktail into it using a strainer. Pouring over fresh ice keeps the drink cold without over-diluting it.
  9. Place a citrus wheel or twist on the rim or float it in the drink. Serve immediately and enjoy while the drink is at its coldest and most flavorful.

Notes

Always use fresh juice whenever possible, not the bottled concentrate stuff, because the flavor difference is striking and worth the minimal extra effort. Choose a gin you actually enjoy drinking, because its character will shine through in the final cocktail. Squeeze your lemon juice fresh right before making the drink rather than using bottled juice for brighter flavor.