Gin and Sin Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 05/13/21
Close-up of a gin & sin cocktail

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The gin and sin is a fun and easy cocktail with a sweet fruity flavor. It's a great recipe when you're looking for a low-proof martini that's perfectly casual. It also appeals to drinkers who don't necessarily enjoy cocktails with a heavy gin flavor.

It's likely that the sin of this cocktail is the mixture of sweet and tart fruits, which can seem like an overindulgence when compared to other classic cocktails. Whatever the meaning behind the name, the gin and sin is one fantastic martini that is easy to make, even for a low-stocked bar.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces gin

  • 1 ounce lemon juice

  • 1 ounce orange juice

  • 1 dash grenadine

  • Lemon twist, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the gin, lemon juice, orange juice, and grenadine.

  3. Shake well.

  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

  5. Garnish with a lemon twist. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Full-flavored dry gins are often best in this cocktail because the flavor will punch through the fruits.
  • The fruits also do an excellent job of covering up a not-so-top-shelf gin. It's okay to use any gin you like with this one, including those that are budget-friendly.
  • Fresh-squeezed citrus juices are highly recommended for the freshest tasting cocktail. A lemon typically yields about 1 3/4 ounces of juice and one orange can yield up to 3 ounces. A single fruit of each could work for two cocktails if you back off the lemon a bit.
  • A chilled glass will help meld the cocktail's flavors and keep your drink cool. The quickest method is to add some ice to the glass while you shake up the drink. Adding a little cold soda is even better. Just be sure to dump the glass before straining.

Recipe Variations

  • Serve the gin and sin on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass if you prefer. To make this a little drier, add an ounce of tonic water.
  • Feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your personal taste. Some recipes use up to 2 ounces of gin and lower the lemon juice to 1/2 ounce, for instance.
  • You can also hold the grenadine and pour only the gin and juices into the shaker. Then, add the grenadine to the cocktail glass after straining to create a beautiful sunrise effect.

How Strong Is a Gin and Sin Cocktail?

In terms of its alcohol, this is not a very sinful cocktail. The fact that the non-alcoholic mixers outweigh the gin brings it down to a low 14 percent ABV (28 proof). That makes it similar in strength to a glass of wine and one of the lowest proof martini-style drinks you'll find.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
121 Calories
0g Fat
6g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 121
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 9mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 28mg 138%
Calcium 15mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 106mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)