Herb-Bitter Citrus Gin Cocktail
A refreshing gin cocktail featuring aromatic bitters and bright citrus notes, perfectly balanced for a crisp and slightly bitter finish. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together London dry gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 160 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz London dry gin
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 3 dashes orange bitters
- 2 oz club soda
- as needed ice cubes
- 1 piece lemon twist
- 1 sprig fresh thyme sprig
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add 2 oz London dry gin, 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup, and 3 dashes of orange bitters. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until well chilled.
- Step 2: Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled halfway with fresh ice cubes. Top with 2 oz club soda, stirring gently to combine without losing fizz.
- Step 3: Garnish with 1 lemon twist and 1 fresh thyme sprig to enhance the herbal bitterness and citrus aroma. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Bitter Citrus Gin Cocktail take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Herb-Bitter Citrus Gin Cocktail?
Refrigerate any leftover herb-bitter citrus gin cocktail in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Bitter Citrus Gin Cocktail?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Herb-Bitter Citrus Gin Cocktail for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Herb-Bitter Citrus Gin Cocktail?
General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
