This cheerful and colorful gin and orange cocktail is ideal for kicking off the citrus season! It features a mix of gin, fresh orange juice, vermouth, and a splash of bitters. Trust me, adding this tasty drink to your holiday festivities is a beautiful idea. You'll definitely want to pour yourself a second round!
If you like the sound of this gin cocktail, consider checking out my pineapple and coconut margarita, grapefruit gin sour, and pomegranate sangria; you'll be glad you did!
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Reasons to Love This Gin and Orange Juice Recipe
- This easy gin cocktail uses only 4 easily accessible ingredients.
- Like my Christmas martini recipe, this cocktail is straightforward and doesn't require added steps.
- It can be adjusted for a larger crowd.
- Make ahead of time without the ice and refrigerate for all the ingredients to meld beautifully.
- It is effortlessly versatile, as you can use a different citrus to spruce it up (I doubt you will do that once you take a sip).
📃Ingredient Description
Here are the ingredients needed to make this cocktail:
- Gin: I used a gin with a floral undertone, like Empress gin. See the substitution notes for other citrus-forward gins you can use.
- Orange juice: preferably freshly squeezed so you can control the sugar in the cocktail. If using regular juice from concentrate, you can skip the simple syrup, as this already contains added sugars.
- Vermouth: I used dry vermouth for its crisp and herbal notes. Sweet vermouth is a good substitute. It is rich, slightly spiced, and sweeter. The color might differ.
- Bitters: Bitters improve the flavor profile of cocktails. I love adding a few dashes of Fee Brothers lemon bitters because they round out the drink without overwhelming it. Angostura orange bitters will do, too.
- Simple syrup: This is an option if freshly squeezed oranges are used. I like a good old classic simple syrup or an elderflower syrup for this recipe.
💭Variations and Substitutions
Gin: use other good quality citrus-forward gin like London dry or Bombay sapphire.
Wine: If you don't have vermouth on hand, use wines like sherry or Lillet for a similar-tasting cocktail.
Syrup: Agave or other flavored syrups can be used, but taste will vary. I've used strawberry syrup in the past for a different hue and flavor profile, and it tasted phenomenal. Play around to see what you come up with.
It's important to note that when making substitutions in recipes, the texture and flavor may be slightly different. However, these substitutes are the best options for changing the original recipe.
📝Step-by-Step Instructions
Detailed instructions are outlined in the recipe card below, but here are a few steps with visuals to guide you:
You can mix these cocktails in two ways: by layering or shaking all the ingredients with ice before sipping.
Method 1:
Step 1:
Fill a highball glass with ice. Layer the drink by pouring in the juice, vermouth, bitters, and simple syrup.
Step 2:
Slowly pour in the gin (mine has a hue; hence, I added it last for presentation). Garnish, stir, and sip responsibly!
Method 2:
Pour all the ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake until frosted. Strain into a serving glass. Garnish with lemon rind or twist.
👩🏽🍳Maur's Tips
- Use freshly squeezed juice for a natural flavor. Bottled options have added sugar, but if that's all you have, omit the simple syrup, which would yield an overly sweet cocktail.
- Choose a gin that complements the juice: citrusy or herbal gins pair well with lemon and lime.
- If you'd like to elevate it a notch, add fresh herbs like rosemary for a fragrant, herby note.
- Shake with ice just long enough to chill without over-diluting.
- Garnish with fresh fruits, herbs, or a citrus twist for a visually appealing drink.
✅Recipe FAQS
Citrus, berries, apples and pears, melons, pomegranates, and tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and passion fruit are also good choices.
A standard starting ratio for mixing drinks is 1 part gin to 3 parts juice, which creates a balanced flavor. However, feel free to modify this ratio to suit your preferences.
Absolutely! Yes, you can pre-mix it for parties. Make sure to chill it well and add garnishes just before serving.
Love this Cocktail? Here are more Cocktail Recipes to Try:
Have you given this recipe or any other from my website a try? Please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and sharing your experience in the 📝 comments section. Your feedback means the world to me, and I'm excited to hear from you!
PEACE & LOVE
Maureen
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📖 Recipe
Gin and Orange Juice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ounce orange juice
- 2 ounces vermouth
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- 2-3 dashes of lemon bitters
- 2 ounces gin any citrus-forward gin will do
- Lemon rind to garnish
Instructions
- Method 1:
- Fill a highball glass with ice. Layer the drink by pouring in the orange juice, vermouth, bitters, and simple syrup. Slowly pour in the gin (mine has a hue; hence, I added it last for presentation). Garnish, stir, and sip responsibly!4 ounce orange juice, 2 ounces gin, 2 ounces vermouth , ¼ ounce simple syrup , 2-3 dashes of lemon bitters , Lemon rind to garnish
- Method 2-
- Pour all the ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake for about 30 seconds until chilled, then strain into an individual serving glass.
Notes
- Shake with ice just long enough to chill without over-diluting.
- Garnish with fresh fruits, herbs, or a citrus twist for a visually appealing drink.
Amarr says
Very much thanks. This was a great sip! I used fresh lemon juice and bitters. My guests loved it.
Maureen Celestine says
Those are some good substitutes, Amarr! I am glad it all worked out.