Why gin is the best place to start

Gin is the most versatile base spirit behind the bar — botanical enough to carry a stirred, spirit-forward drink like a Martini, and clean enough to disappear into a bright, citrusy sour. If you're building a home bar one bottle at a time, gin unlocks more classic recipes than almost anything else. Here are ten worth knowing, in exact ratios.

1. Negroni

Equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth — bittersweet, aromatic, and perfectly balanced. Stirred, served over ice in a rocks glass, garnished with an orange peel.

• 30 ml Gin

• 30 ml Campari

• 30 ml Sweet vermouth

2. Dry Martini

Cold, clean, and bracing — gin and a whisper of dry vermouth, the ultimate aperitif. Stirred and served up in a chilled Martini glass with a lemon twist or olive.

• 60 ml Gin

• 10 ml Dry vermouth

3. Gimlet

Gin and fresh lime locked in a tart, clean balance — simple and precise. Shaken, served up in a coupe with a lime wheel.

• 60 ml Gin

• 22 ml Fresh lime juice

• 15 ml Simple syrup

4. Tom Collins

A gin sour lengthened with soda — tall, refreshing, and gently effervescent. Shaken and topped with soda in a Collins glass over ice.

• 45 ml Gin

• 30 ml Lemon juice

• 15 ml Simple syrup

• 90 ml Soda water

5. French 75

A bright gin sour lengthened with Champagne — celebratory and sharp. Shaken, strained into a flute, topped with Champagne, garnished with a lemon twist.

• 45 ml Gin

• 22 ml Lemon juice

• 15 ml Simple syrup

• 90 ml Champagne

6. Aviation

Gin, maraschino, and violet — floral, dry, and pale lavender in color. Shaken, served up in a coupe with a brandied cherry.

• 45 ml Gin

• 15 ml Maraschino liqueur

• 7 ml Crème de violette

• 22 ml Lemon juice

7. Last Word

A Prohibition-era equal-parts classic of gin, Chartreuse, maraschino, and fresh lime. Shaken, served up in a coupe with a brandied cherry.

• 22 ml Gin

• 22 ml Green Chartreuse

• 22 ml Maraschino liqueur

• 22 ml Lime juice

8. White Lady

Gin, orange liqueur, and lemon — crisp, elegant, and silky with egg white. Shaken hard, served up in a coupe with a lemon twist.

• 45 ml Gin

• 22 ml Cointreau

• 22 ml Lemon juice

• 1 each Egg white

9. Bee's Knees

Gin, lemon, and honey — golden and round. Shaken, served up in a coupe with a lemon twist.

• 60 ml Gin

• 20 ml Lemon juice

• 20 ml Honey syrup

10. Southside

A gin sour with fresh mint — crisp, herbal, and bright. Shaken, served up in a coupe with a mint sprig.

• 60 ml Gin

• 22 ml Lemon juice

• 20 ml Simple syrup

• 6 leaves Mint

Keep them all in one place

All ten of these are free in Sakaba's recipe library, grouped under Gin along with the rest — tap a spirit to see everything you can make, and use guided mixing to walk through each step hands-free.