Few liquors have the versatility of gin. With a naturally bitter flavor thanks to the strong presence of juniper, when gin is combined into a cocktail with bitters or tonic water it will have a crisp, refreshing bite. But if you like things on the opposite end of the spectrum, adding simple syrup will create a sweet, tasty cocktail. High quality gins, like Greenbar Distillery’s CITY Bright gin, will mix well with other liquors, making it a great jumping off point for diverse flavor combinations. With so many options there’s always something for everyone.

BRIGHT DARLING

The Bright Darling showcases how good gin can be in a sweet cocktail. The hibiscus liqueur and simple syrup combine for a cocktail that is sweet with enough bite to make sure you never forget that you’re drinking CITY Bright gin. The lavender bitters pull out the best of all the flavors. This cocktail is perfect for impressing every one of your friends, as you demonstrate how memorable a cocktail can be, and how awesome you are at mixing.

Ingredients
1.5 oz. CITY Bright gin
0.5 oz FRUITLAB Hibiscus liqueur
1 oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. simple syrup
3 dashes BAR KEEP Lavender Bitters
Fresh bay leaf

Method
Combine all with ice and shake then strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a bay leaf

WESTSIDE G&T

Ah, the gin lovers’ fallback. A Gin and Tonic is one of the easiest cocktails to make—you don’t need to have other liquors on hand—and it’s hard to mess up. That all being said, it can be difficult to make a Gin and Tonic a showstopper and the drink can end up feeling a bit mundane. Greenbar Distillery has no patience for boring cocktails, and created a Gin and Tonic designed to blow your socks off.

Ingredients
1 oz CITY Bright gin
3 oz tonic water
Wedge of lime, lemon & grapefruit

Method
Muddle citrus in a rocks glass. Add ice, gin & tonic over muddled fruit. Stir then serve.

LEFT ON MATEO

Typically, cocktails use a limited number of spirits as a base, and avoid some combinations altogether. While gin, tequila, and vermouth don’t throw up stop signs like some combos do, the pairing of all three together is rare. Left on Mateo, one of the more adventurous cocktails from Greenbar Distillery, is making sure the unusual flavor pairing gets its moment in the sun. Each sip is an intriguing mix of flavor, and will leave you thirsty for more.

Ingredients
1 oz CITY Bright gin
1 oz IXÁ Reposado tequila
1 oz red vermouth

Method
Combine all with ice and stir. Serve in rocks glass over a large ice cube.

HOPE STREET

If you’re in the mood for something sweet and summery, Hope Street is the cocktail for you. The cocktail combines Greenbar Distillery’s CITY Bright Gin with their FRUITLAB Orange liqueur and adds lime juice, simple syrup and tonic water to keep things fresh and simple. Truly a great cocktail for sipping late into the evening.

Ingredients
1.5 oz CITY Bright gin
0.5 oz FRUITLAB Orange liqueur
1 oz lime juice
1 oz simple syrup
2 oz tonic water

Method
Pour over ice in a tall glass.

BRIGHT NEGRONI

A negroni is an excellent choice if you are looking for an aperitif. Designed to stimulate the appetite, these drinks are popping with flavor and meant to build excitement for what is to come. Greenbar Distillery’s take on the classic is one for the ages. They substitute their GRAND POPPY Amaro for Campari, which adds a level of complexity with flavors of flowers, roots, herbs, and citrus. CITY Bright gin and vermouth keep the drink familiar and together all the ingredients combine for a perfect start to your night.

Ingredients
1 oz CITY Bright gin
1 oz GRAND POPPY amaro
1 oz sweet vermouth

Method
Combine all with ice and stir. Strain into a coupe & garnish with a grapefruit twist.