Summer in India demands drinks that are cold, zesty, and seriously refreshing. While gin and tonic is the classic go-to, there’s a whole world of creative gin cocktails waiting to be shaken, stirred, and sipped. From rooftop soirées or post-work get-togethers to pool parties, these cool cocktails will make summer bearable any day of the time.
From herbaceous Scottish gins to citrus-forward Indian craft expressions, these recipes are easy to make, impossible to forget, and built for hot, hazy evenings. Grab your shaker, stock up on fresh ingredients, and get ready to discover your new summer signature serve.
Garden Basil Smash
This herbaceous cocktail celebrates gin’s botanical soul with a fresh, aromatic kick. Muddled basil meets citrus and fizz for a drink that’s bright, green, and utterly addictive. It’s like sipping your way through a summer garden.
Ingredients
- 60 ml The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
- 8-10 fresh basil leaves
- 25 ml fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml simple syrup
- Soda water, to top
- Ice
- Basil sprig and lemon wheel, for garnish
How to Make It
- Add basil leaves to a cocktail shaker and muddle gently to release oils.
- Add gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice.
- Shake vigorously until well-chilled.
- Double strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with soda water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a basil sprig and lemon wheel.
Why You’ll Love It: The Botanist’s botanicals shine beautifully here, with its mint and wild herb notes amplifying the fresh basil. The citrus brings brightness, while the soda adds effervescence that makes this cocktail dangerously easy to drink. It’s herbal without being overpowering, refreshing without being boring.
Pro Tip: Use Thai basil for a slightly spicier, more aromatic variation. Pair this with dahi kebabs or mint chutney for a perfect flavour match.
Spiced Gondhoraj Fizz
This cocktail puts Indian gin in the spotlight with a spicy, citrus-forward serve that’s bold, zesty, and unapologetically desi. Gondhoraj lime—Bengal’s prized aromatic lime—meets ginger and cardamom for a fizzy, fragrant stunner.
Ingredients
- 50 ml Chambal Indian Dry Gin
- 30 ml fresh lime juice (or gondhoraj lime if available)
- 20 ml ginger syrup
- 2-3 crushed green cardamom pods
- Tonic water, to top
- Ice
- Black salt (kala namak), for rimming
- Lime wheel and fresh ginger slice, for garnish
How to Make It
- Rim a highball glass with black salt and fill with ice.
- Add gin, lime juice, ginger syrup, and crushed cardamom to a shaker with ice.
- Shake briefly and strain into the prepared glass.
- Top with tonic water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and thin slice of fresh ginger.
Why You’ll Love It: Chambal Gin’s locally sourced botanicals like gondhoraj lime, tulsi, and cardamom make this cocktail feel authentically Indian. The ginger syrup adds warmth and spice, while the black salt rim gives it that chaat-like tang. It’s a gin and tonic reimagined through an Indian lens—bold, aromatic, and absolutely delicious.
Pro Tip: Muddle a couple of curry leaves into the shaker for an extra layer of South Indian flair. This pairs beautifully with palak patta chaat or tandoori pomfret.
Citrus Sunrise Spritz
Bright, bubbly, and bursting with sunshine, this spritz showcases citrus-forward gin in all its glory. Orange, lime, and Aperol come together for a refreshing, serve that’s perfect for lazy afternoons.
Ingredients
- 45 ml Malhar Indian Craft Gin Citrus
- 20 ml Aperol
- 20 ml fresh orange juice
- 15 ml lime juice
- 10 ml honey syrup
- Prosecco or sparkling wine, to top
- Ice
- Orange slice and mint sprig, for garnish
How to Make It
- Fill a wine glass with ice.
- Add gin, Aperol, orange juice, lime juice, and honey syrup.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Top with Prosecco or sparkling wine.
- Garnish with an orange slice and mint sprig.
Why You’ll Love It: Malhar Citrus Gin’s vibrant blend of gondhoraj lime, Nagpur orange peel, and sweet lime creates a citrus explosion that’s perfectly balanced by Aperol’s bittersweet edge. The bubbles make it light and refreshing, while the honey adds just enough sweetness. It’s a cocktail that tastes like summer feels.
Pro Tip: Freeze orange slices ahead of time to use as a garnish—they’ll keep your drink cold without diluting it. This pairs wonderfully with Mumbai-style bhel puri or Kerala fish curry.
Looking for more cocktail inspiration? Check out more award-winning wines and spirits here.
