Gin Spritzer is like a sparkly, strawberry gin lemonade! This strawberry gin cocktail comes together similarly to a Pimm's Cup, and it's stacked with all kinds of beautiful, yummy citrus.
The fresh flavors of strawberry and citrus in combination with gin and a pour of sparkling water make it light, fruity, and immensely refreshing!
The make-ahead strawberry simple syrup is the secret sauce to this cocktail. It makes both assembling and serving an absolute breeze!
You'll find this gin spritzer is perfect for enjoying poolside or beating the summertime heat hanging on the patio, grilling out with friends! Love strawberry cocktails? Bookmark our Strawberry Basil Cocktail (made from the same simple syrup) in your internet browser for next time!
THE PERFECT STRAWBERRY GIN COCKTAIL
Not only is this cocktail a full-on showstopper, but it tastes just as delicious as it looks! It comes stacked with colorful wheels of citrus and graduates in color from a dark peachy-pink hue to a bubbly, iridescent pink.
Thanks to our favorite Strawberry Simple Syrup Recipe, infused with lime and deep strawberry flavor, you can whip this show-stopper of a cocktail up in a flash!
Here's what you'll need:
- Gin
- Strawberry Simple Syrup
- Sparkling Water
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GIN
Gin is a light and neutral liquor with herbaceous, floral notes thanks to being distilled with juniper berries. The juniper berry is actually what makes gin...well, gin.
This berry has a somewhat piney note to it, with a hint of fruitiness, and it's what gives gin its very distinct flavor!
When choosing a gin for your Strawberry Gin Cocktail, go for a gin that falls in the Plymouth or Contemporary category. These gins will be a little lighter, not quite as stout, and perfect for pairing with the citrusy, fruity flavors that make up the rest of this drink.
My favorite gin for this cocktail actually falls in the Contemporary category; it is called The Botanist.
STRAWBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP
The strawberry simple syrup is really what makes this cocktail! Here's what you'll need to make it:
- Fresh strawberries, stems removed and halved
- Water
- Granulated sugar
- Salt
- Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
You will need 2 ounces (which equals a ¼ cup) per Strawberry Gin Cocktail. If you end up with leftovers, store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for up to 2 months.
LEMON JUICE
Lemon juice and gin pair beautifully together, and fresh citrus does wonders for a cocktail! The fresh squeeze of lemon in this one takes it to a whole 'nother level of deliciousness, but if you only have lime on hand when making your syrup, that will work fine as well.
SPARKLING WATER
Last, but not least, bubbles! You'll use sparkling water to top off your cocktail. My favorites for this drink are Tangerine or Orange La Croix, but feel free to experiment with other flavored sparkling waters or use club soda, if desired.
If you want to add some extra sweetness to your cocktail, you could also use tonic water!
HOW TO MAKE A GIN SPRITZER
- Make Simple Syrup | Combine berries, sugar, water, and salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to steep and cool, about 1 hour. Strain strawberries and discard. Add fresh lime or lemon juice and set aside until ready to use.
- Mix | Add the gin and strawberry simple syrup to a mixing glass or cocktail shaker and stir.
- Ice and Garnish | Fill a 16-ounce, high-ball glass with citrus slices and ice.
- Pour | Pour the gin mix into the glass and fill to the top with sparkling water.
ABOUT THE GLASSWARE
The size of the glass matters when it comes to cocktails. You want there to be room for the sparkling water to go after the gin mix goes in! So, for this cocktail, choose a taller glass (close to 16-ounces) which is also called a high-ball glass.
If you aren't sure what a high-ball glass looks like or if your glassware is close to 16-ounces, maybe this will help: Most glassware sets come with two types of glasses; the short one is a rocks glass, and the tall one is your high-ball!
HOW TO GARNISH YOUR STRAWBERRY GIN COCKTAIL
Part of what makes this cocktail so alluring to guests and company is the garnish. That stack of fresh citrus suspended throughout layers of ice is positively irresistible!
To get this look, simply add the slices of citrus and ice in layers. Start with a small amount of ice at the bottom of the glass, then lay the citrus flat against the glassware. Add ice to keep it in place, then repeat! At this point, you should be ready to add your gin mix and sparkling water.
Once you've got your liquids in place, you can make this Strawberry Gin Cocktail extra gorgeous by adding a small strawberry to the rim and a tiny little sprig of fresh mint alongside it.
6 MORE COCKTAIL RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
- Strawberry Margaritas (On the Rocks) | All you need for this Tex-Mex cocktail is tequila, orange liqueur, and a little more of that strawberry simple syrup (made with lime)!
- Watermelon Martini | What better way to ring in the summertime than with a watermelon cocktail in hand? Light, refreshing, and just the right amount of sweet!
- Peach Daiquiri | Craving a tropical getaway? You can have one in your very own backyard with these frosty peach cocktails!
- Watermelon Margarita | Just the right amount of boozy, and as delicious as they are beautiful!
- Ranch Water | If you like your cocktails on the dryer side, this one is for you! Just tequila, lime, and Topo Chico is all you need.
- Frozen Strawberry Margaritas | Made with real strawberries and full of berry flavor, you'll adore this icey summertime treat!
Strawberry Margaritas On the Rocks
Watermelon Martini Recipe
Peach Daiquiri
Watermelon Margaritas Recipe
Ranch Water
Frozen Strawberry Margaritas
This Gin Spritzer is like a sparkly, strawberry gin lemonade! This strawberry gin cocktail is stacked with the fresh flavors of strawberry, citrus, gin, and bubbly sparkling water. It’s light, fruity, and immensely refreshing!
- 1 ⅓ cup roughly chopped strawberries
- 1 ⅓ cup water
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- Scant ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
- 1 ½ ounce gin
- 2 ounces strawberry simple syrup
- Orange or plain sparkling water to fill
- Thinly sliced orange, lemon, and lime (for garnish if desired)
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Add the strawberries, water, granulated sugar, and salt to a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally and allow the water to come to a boil.
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As soon as the sugar dissolved, remove it from the heat and allow the mixture to steep, about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
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Place a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl or measuring pitcher and strain the strawberries. Discard the berries or save them for another use.
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Stir in the lime juice (if using), transfer to a storage container, and refrigerate until ready to use.
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In a small measuring pitcher or shaker, add the gin and the simple syrup. Stir and set aside.
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If using a citrus garnish, lay the fruit slices flat against the side of a 16-ounce highball glass and fill with ice as you go to keep it in place.
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Pour the gin mix over the ice and top with sparkling water. Serve and enjoy!
The strawberry simple syrup recipe makes about 2 cups (enough for 6-8 cocktails).
