Simple syrup (also known as sugar syrup) is a must-have store-cupboard ingredient for any budding home cocktail enthusiast. It’s the key ingredient in dozens, perhaps hundreds (thousands?) of gin cocktail recipes.

As butter, oil and salt are essentials for tasty cooking, this natural liquid sweetener is so versatile that you’ll use it time and time again to create the perfect balance of flavour in your drinks.

Here, we’ve picked five of the best, most popular gin cocktail recipes that use simple syrup to get you started on your journey of discovery into home mixology. Simple, easy to make at home and totally delicious, these recipes have become timeless classics for a reason!

Image: Instagram | @cocktailoclock

You can buy a bottle of Simple Syrup on the Craft Gin Club shop. We’ve also got delicious alternative flavours of cocktail syrup - choose from Elderflower, Raspberry, Rhubarb and Grenadine, or browse our bespoke flavour combinations from our Cocktail of the Month range.

Once open, your simple syrup will last several months when stored in a cool, dark cupboard.

If you’ve already stocked up, then here are five of our favourite classic gin cocktails using simple syrup to get you started! Cheers!

Bramble

50ml dry gin
30ml lemon juice, freshly squeezed
15ml sugar syrup*
15ml crème de mûre (blackberry liqueur)
Lemon slice, to garnish
Fresh (or thawed) blackberries, to garnish

In a shaker packed with ice, shake gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup vigorously. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Drizzle liqueur over ice, and garnish with lemon and blackberries to serve.

 Tom Collins

60ml gin
30ml lemon juice, freshly squeezed
15ml simple syrup
Soda water
Lemon slice, to garnish

To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup. Shake vigorously until well chilled. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice and top with soda water. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a single maraschino cherry to serve.

Gin Fizz

50ml gin
20 ml freshly squeezed lemon
 20 ml of simple syrup
20 ml of egg white
About 50ml soda water

Shake all the ingredients - without ice - in a cocktail shaker for about three seconds, then fill the shaker with ice and shake for about seven to 10 seconds. Add soda water in the shaker - 50ml or more depending on how strong you want your drink – and strain it in to a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge and enjoy this delicious classic cocktail.

French 75

30ml gin
15ml lemon juice
15ml simple syrup
Champagne, to top up

Add the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake for about five seconds. Strain into a champagne flute and top with ice cold Champagne or dry sparkling wine for one of the best ways to kick off a special occasion!

Sloe Gin Fizz

30ml sloe gin
10ml simple syrup
15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
Champagne, to top up
One egg white (optional)

Add your sloe gin, simple syrup, lemon juice and egg white if using (this will create a beautiful white foam on the top of your cocktail) to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

Strain into a long glass such as a champagne flute or highball glass, then top up with champagne.

You could also substitute soda water or elderflower soda for the champagne, for a less punchy but equally delicious version! If you choose to use elderflower soda, you may want to reduce the amount of simple syrup to 5ml to start with, as it may already be quite sweet.