Gin: The Different Styles and the Best Cocktails to Make at Home

Gin has firmly established itself on French tables, driven by a new generation of distilleries and the apparent simplicity of the gin and tonic. But behind this simplicity lies true diversity: distillation styles, dominant botanicals, suitable glassware, and precise measurements. These are the details that separate a mediocre gin and tonic from a successful one.

This guide covers the basics in the logical order of a well-prepared aperitif. First, understand what distinguishes a successful homemade gin cocktail from a failed one, then choose the right glass, and finally, execute three essential recipes: the gin and tonic, the Martini, and the Negroni.

Gin, a spirit that is once again seducing palates

Gin is a spirit obtained by distilling neutral alcohol flavored with juniper berries, combined with other botanicals: citrus, coriander, angelica, cardamom, depending on each distillery's recipes. It is this juniper base, mandatory by definition, that distinguishes gin from any other flavored spirit.

Its recent popularity is due to three mutually reinforcing factors: the proliferation of small distilleries offering a wide variety of aromatic profiles, the simplicity of a gin and tonic that requires little equipment to get started, and the aesthetic of the serve—a beautiful glass, an attractive garnish, a bottle that belongs on a reception tray.

The different styles of gin, simply explained

Not all gins are alike, far from it. Knowing the main families allows you to choose the right bottle for the intended use—an evening gin and tonic doesn't call for the same style as a dry Martini.

London Dry, the classic reference

London Dry refers to a production method rather than a strict geographical origin: all botanicals are distilled together, with no added flavorings afterward. The result is a dry gin, dominated by juniper and citrus, and very versatile. It is the most common and safest style for beginners, both in a gin and tonic and a Martini.

Plymouth and Old Tom, softer profiles

Plymouth, produced exclusively in the city of the same name, offers a more earthy and slightly softer profile than London Dry. Old Tom, historically sweeter, bridges the gap between classic gin and old Dutch genever: it is well suited for cocktails that require a touch of roundness, such as certain Martinez variations.

New Western / Contemporary, more floral and fruity

This recent family puts juniper in the background, favoring other botanicals: prominent citrus, flowers, sweet spices, and sometimes red fruits. These gins pair well with more neutral tonics, allowing their unique aromatic profile to express itself, and with simple cocktails with few ingredients that might overpower them.

Sloe gin, a liqueur in its own right

Sloe gin is not a gin in the strict sense but a liqueur made by infusing sloe berries in gin, with added sugar. Sweeter and fruitier, it is primarily drunk on its own, over ice, or as a small touch in certain cocktails to add color and roundness—never as the main base for a gin and tonic.

The right glass for each cocktail

The choice of cocktail glass is never a mere cosmetic detail: it influences the speed at which ice melts, how the tonic's bubbles are released, and the perception of aromas on the palate.

The balloon glass, ideal for a generous gin and tonic

For a gin and tonic, a large glass with a wide opening—often called a balloon glass or copa—is the most suitable. Its flared shape allows the gin's botanicals and garnishes to breathe, while its large volume allows for enough ice to prevent the cocktail from diluting too quickly. In our collection of cocktail glasses, models with a generous, open silhouette, like the Curvy cocktail glass, fulfill exactly this role for home serving.

The mixing glass, for "stirred" cocktails

The Martini and Negroni are not shaken: they are stirred in a mixing glass filled with ice, before being strained into the serving glass. This step prevents air bubbles from being incorporated, which would cloud the clarity of the cocktail—a particularly noticeable criterion for a Martini, which is supposed to remain perfectly clear.

For shorter cocktails without ice, like a Martini served in its iconic cone-shaped glass, a delicate stemmed cocktail glass highlights the liquid's color while keeping the drink cooler longer, as the hand holds the stem rather than the bowl.

Three essential recipes to master at home

No need for an entire bar to entertain well: these three recipes cover the essentials of the gin repertoire, from the simplest to the most structured.

The classic gin and tonic

Pour 5 cl of gin into a large glass filled with ice cubes, top with 15 cl of quality tonic, stir gently with a bar spoon to avoid breaking the bubbles, then garnish according to the gin's style: lemon zest for a London Dry, rosemary or pink peppercorns for a floral New Western.

The Martini, dry and uncompromising

Pour 6 cl of gin and 1 cl of dry vermouth into a mixing glass filled with ice, stir for 20 to 30 seconds, then strain into a pre-chilled Martini glass. Garnish with an olive or a lemon zest squeezed over the glass to release its essential oils.

The Negroni, in equal parts

The Negroni combines gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth in strictly equal parts—typically 3 cl of each. Stir in a mixing glass with ice, then pour directly over ice cubes into the serving glass, and garnish with an orange slice or zest. To delve deeper into the variations of this recipe (Sbagliato, White Negroni), our article Negroni: classic recipe, modern variations and which glass to choose details each variation.

Setting up your home gin bar

Beyond the gin itself, a few simple elements are enough to transform an impromptu aperitif into a real reception moment, without multiplying purchases.

• A good cocktail shaker — useful for the rare gin-based recipes that are shaken, like a Gin Fizz with egg white
• A mixing glass and a bar spoon — for "stirred" cocktails like the Martini or Negroni
• Two or three different tonics — one neutral, one more bitter, to match the gin style of the moment
• Fresh garnishes — citrus, rosemary, pink peppercorns, cut just before serving
• A good supply of ice — in generous quantities, because an under-iced cocktail dilutes and warms up much faster

To equip a proper home cocktail bar without extensive searching, a complete cocktail kit brings together the essential tools mentioned above in one package. The Premium cocktail kit is well suited for regular use, while the Gold cocktail kit provides a more refined finish for entertaining evenings. Our guide Home cocktail kit: how to choose your mixology kit well in 2026 details the criteria for choosing one according to your profile.

As for glassware, the collection of cocktail kits and that of cocktail glasses naturally complement each other: tools on one side, serving on the other. For more original shapes, our selection of original cocktail glasses allows you to vary the silhouettes according to the recipes served.

Mistakes that spoil a gin and tonic

Some mistakes are common, and almost all of them are easy to correct once spotted.

Not enough ice

A glass half-filled with ice cubes warms up and dilutes much faster than a generously iced glass. The natural reflex to "save space for the tonic" actually produces the opposite effect: fill the glass with ice to the top before pouring the gin.

A tonic that doesn't match the gin

A very bitter or very sweet tonic can completely mask the delicate botanicals of a floral New Western gin. Conversely, a very juniper-forward London Dry gin can handle a bolder tonic. Tasting both separately before combining them prevents this imbalance.

One last useful tip: always pour the tonic last and gently, along the side of the glass rather than directly onto the ice cubes. This simple action preserves the bubbles, which carry a good portion of the cocktail's volatile aromas to the nose.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions about homemade gin cocktails