As a fan of mixing drinks, I’ve found these gin-based winter cocktails irresistible. They’re a cozy blend of spices, gin, and seasonal fruits, perfect for warming up on a chilly evening. What sets these drinks apart is their versatility, appealing to gin aficionados and those new to winter cocktails alike. They’re ideal for social nights or intimate moments, adding a touch of warmth and flavor to any winter occasion. For anyone looking to bring a bit of magic to their evenings, I highly recommend this roundup of winter gin cocktails.
This recipe adds a slight twist to a classic Hot Toddy, a hot cocktail that typically uses whiskey. Rather than the warm and oaky flavors of whiskey, the Hot Gin Toddy features the herbal flavor of gin mixed with cinnamon and honey. Served hot, this cocktail is perfect for a cold winter night.
The Blackberry Bramble is a sweet and fruity cocktail that may surprise you with its simplicity. The drink uses gin, blackberry liqueur, and simple syrup as a base, so you can have this cocktail whipped up in a few minutes. Add some fresh blackberries, a lemon wheel, and a sprig of mint as refreshing garnishes.
Warm, fragrant, and elegantly smooth, the Winter Pear Cocktail is a perfect blend of seasonal flavors. With the sweetness of pear, the tartness of lemon, and the frothy texture of egg white, this gin-based cocktail is an ideal choice for cozy winter evenings.
The Rosemary Gimlet is a refreshing twist on the classic gimlet, featuring the herbal notes of rosemary paired with gin and lime. The rosemary simple syrup adds a subtle depth and a touch of sweetness, making this cocktail a perfect blend of earthy and zesty flavors for any season.
The Winter Gin & Tonic adds a festive twist to the classic G&T, featuring the seasonal flavors of cranberry and pomegranate. This cocktail combines tart cranberry juice, sweet pomegranate, and gin with a splash of tonic, creating a beautifully refreshing drink that’s perfect for holiday gatherings.
Cozy up with the Warm Gin Caramel, a delightful winter cocktail that combines the smooth warmth of gin, the citrusy kick of Cointreau, and the rich sweetness of caramel syrup. Topped with hot water and a dash of Angostura bitters, this drink is perfect for chilly evenings by the fire.
The White Chocolate Gimlet offers a sophisticated twist on a classic cocktail, blending the crispness of gin with the creamy sweetness of white chocolate liqueur and a hint of lime. Finished with a touch of chocolate bitters and a lime wheel garnish, this drink is a luxurious treat for any occasion.
If you want a cocktail that will impress your holiday guests, the Frosted Cranberry Empress Gin Cocktail is for you. The herbal drink is visually stunning and consists of Empress 1908 Gin, spiced cranberry simple syrup, an herbal liqueur, lemon juice, cranberry bitters, and egg whites for a frothy topping.
Blood oranges are in season right as December hits, so winter is the perfect time to feature this unique fruit in a cocktail. The base is a classic gin and tonic, but the warm, spiced flavors of blood orange, cinnamon, and star anise help develop a deliciously complex herbal and citrus flavor.
The Winter Gin Mule is a winterized version of a classic Moscow Mule, a cocktail that uses ginger beer. This recipe uses a light blue gin, but if you don’t have it on hand, you can still achieve the amazing blue color with the included Blue Curacao.
How do you create a winter version of a classic gin and tonic? Infuse it with festive flavors, like cloves, allspice, cinnamon, and orange. The recipe uses a homemade spiced simple syrup recipe, which is surprisingly simple to whip up. Once the simple syrup is ready, your cocktail is ready in just a minute or two.
A Gin and Jam is a classic cocktail that combines gin with a sweet fruity jelly or jam. The drink typically uses strawberry or blueberry jam, but this recipe features blackberry jam for a delicious, winter-friendly flavor. Combined with floral liqueur and a tiny bit of lemon, this cocktail is fresh, warm, and tasty.
A variation on a gin and tonic, this cocktail uses sloe gin and elderflower liqueur as the base. Sloe gin is a British concoction that mixes gin with sloes, a red fruit similar in taste to a plum. The result is a fruity but not too sweet drink with subtle warm flavors and a floral overtone.
Along with peppermint, pomegranate is one of the most popular winter flavors that sneaks its way into themed desserts and cocktails. Along with grapefruit, this cocktail is powerfully fruity, with the herbal notes of gin layered underneath. Some tonic water makes this the perfect fizzy drink for the holidays.
This Spiced Gin Warmer cocktail is similar to spiced apple cider but with all of the gin's herbal and floral flavors. Rather than mulled wine, go for this winter gin cocktail as your go-to for the season because the light, festive flavors aren’t too heavy. The recipe adds honey for sweetness and some coriander for a unique flavor.
A Paloma is a classic cocktail that features tequila and grapefruit. This recipe uses grapefruit mixed with gin and rosemary syrup for a winterized version of this refreshing summer drink. The robust flavor of rosemary pairs well with the subtle, refreshing flavors of grapefruit and gin.
An Aperol Spritz is a light summer cocktail that makes you dream of the Italian countryside. However, this recipe proves that Aperol, the Italian citrus liqueur, works well with warm, spiced winter flavors. With only four ingredients, this cocktail is as simple to make as it is easy to drink.
People who love gin often love its unique floral flavor with herbal undertones. This Winter Florals cocktail highlights everything we love about gin, amping up that lovely floral flavor with a bit of orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and lime juice. The warm flavors of orange and cranberry perfectly complement the light and airy taste of gin.
Founder and CEO of MyBartender. Graduated from Penn State University. He always had a deep interest in the restaurant and bar industry. His restaurant experience began in 1997 at the age of 14 as a bus boy. By the time he turned 17 he was serving tables, and by 19 he was bartending/bar managing 6-7 nights a week.
In 2012, after a decade and a half of learning all facets of the industry, Paul opened his first restaurant/bar. In 2015, a second location followed, the latter being featured on The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.