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Looking to elevate your gin game beyond the typical G&T? The Gin Sling beckons with its perfect balance of botanical gin, bright citrus, and effervescent finish. We’ve brought back this historic recipe and are sharing our secrets for crafting this sophisticated sipper at home.

A glass of iced tea with a lemon slice and cherry sits on a marble surface.

Watch 🎥: How to make a Gin Sling

What Is a Gin Sling Cocktail?

Dating back to the 1800s, the Gin Sling predates most classic cocktails we know today. This refined combination of gin, citrus, sweet vermouth, and bitters topped with soda water was among America’s first documented cocktails.

The name “sling” comes from the German word “Schengen,” meaning to swallow quickly—though this drink deserves to be savored.

A gin sling in a glass, garnished with a lemon slice and cherry rests on a marble surface against a dark background.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • TIMELESS – The perfect balance of botanical gin and bright citrus creates a sophisticated yet incredibly refreshing drink.
  • VERSATILITY – It’s incredibly adaptable – sophisticated enough for a dinner party yet simple enough for a casual evening drink.

What You Need to Make a Gin Sling Drink

  • Gin: A London Dry style gin works beautifully here, with its pronounced juniper notes complementing the other ingredients
  • Fresh Lemon Juice: Always fresh-squeezed – the bottled stuff won’t do this drink justice
  • Simple Syrup: Balances the citrus and adds silky texture
  • Sweet Vermouth: Brings depth and complexity with its botanical notes
  • Aromatic Bitters: Ties everything together with warm spice notes
  • Soda Water: For that crucial effervescent finish

How to Make a Gin Sling Cocktail

  1. Fill your cocktail shaker with fresh, clear ice
  2. Pour in gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, sweet vermouth, and bitters
  3. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until properly chilled
  4. Fill a Collins glass with fresh ice
  5. Strain the mixture over the ice
  6. Top with soda water (about 2-3 oz)
  7. Garnish and serve
  • A hand pours gin from a jigger into a gold cocktail shaker surrounded by a bottle, decanter, and lemon halves.
  • A hand uses a metal juicer to squeeze a lemon half over a brass cocktail shaker, with two lemon halves on a marble counter beside glass bottles.
  • A hand shakes bitters from a small glass bottle into a metal shaker beside two lemon halves on the marble countertop.
  • A hand pours ice cubes from a glass into a gold cocktail shaker on a marble surface, with a sliced lemon and spouted bottle nearby.
  • A person strains a cocktail into an ice-filled glass on a marble surface.
  • A hand pours tonic from a pitcher into an ice-filled gin sling on a marble surface.

Expert Recipe Tips

  • Temperature is crucial – keep your gin and vermouth refrigerated for optimal results
  • A proper shake is essential here – you want some dilution to marry the flavors When adding soda water, pour gently down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation
  • Consider using Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic instead of soda water for a botanical twist (we keep it stocked in our bar at all times).
A hand pours tonic water into a cherry and lemon slice garnished iced cocktail on a marbled surface.

How to Serve A Gin Sling

Present in a Collins glass over fresh ice. While a lemon wheel is traditional, a sprig of thyme or rosemary adds an elegant aromatic touch. This cocktail suits any occasion from summer afternoons to evening gatherings.

More Cocktail Recipes

SEE MORE COCKTAILS

Love gin-based classics? Join our weekly newsletter for more refined recipes like this one, or explore our complete gin cocktail collection for gems like the Last Word or the Corpse Reviver No. 2.

Gin Sling Cocktail Recipe

A perfectly balanced Gin Sling combining London Dry gin, fresh citrus, and aromatic bitters, topped with effervescent soda water. This classic cocktail dates back to the 1800s and remains a sophisticated choice for any occasion.
Print Recipe
A gin sling in a tall glass with a lemon slice and cherry on top sits on a marble surface.
Prep Time:5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
  • 3-5 dashes bitters
  • Soda water

Instructions

  • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and combine the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, vermouth and
  • bitters.
  • Shake until chilled.
  • Fill a glass with ice and strain the cocktail over the ice.
  • Top with soda water and garnish

Video

Servings: 1 cocktail
Author: Kita

Recipe FAQs

Which gin brands work best in a Gin Sling?

While we love Tanqueray or Beefeater for their classic London Dry profiles, boutique gins like The Botanist can add interesting complexity to this drink.

Can I make this less sweet?

Absolutely. Start by reducing the simple syrup to 3/4 oz and adjust to taste. The addition of soda water also helps control sweetness.

Why do you specify fresh lemon juice?

Fresh citrus contains oils and brightness that bottled juices lack. These subtle elements make a noticeable difference in the final drink’s complexity.

Ready to elevate your cocktail game? Join our community of discerning drinkers – sign up for our newsletter for weekly happy hour inspiration, and don’t forget to join our private Facebook group for exclusive tips and discussions.

Award-winning cocktail maker, picture taker, content writer, editor, and all around imbiber behind the Libation Chronicles and a few other fun projects.

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