The Gin Daisy cocktail is an old-school cocktail that adds a spin to the classic sour. Try the original version with a hint of orange liqueur or make the fruitier new-school version. Both are light, sweet, easy-to-make and easy-to-drink cocktails perfect for spring and summer.
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About this Gin Daisy recipe
I love gin now, but I didn’t always. Gin’s floral, herbal flavors can take some getting used to, but this Gin Daisy cocktail helped ease me into gin drinking. Now it’s one of my favorite spirits!
A Daisy is a type of sour cocktail. Sours, such as the classic whiskey sour, include a spirit, citrus and sweetener. If you add club soda or seltzer, it becomes a Daisy.
Daisy cocktails became popular in the late 1800s and included orange liqueur. In the early 1900s, the “new school” Daisy became popular, swapping out the orange liqueur for grenadine and simple syrup.
The Gin Daisy is one of my favorite versions of the Daisy cocktail. The flavors of the citrus and sweetener balance out the strength of the gin’s flavor, making this an easy-to-drink cocktail that’s great for gin beginners. I enjoy both versions of this classic cocktail — try it both ways and see how you like it!
Note from the author
2026 update: I first shared this recipe way back in 2015. I still love Daisy cocktails, especially the Gin Daisy, so I have since updated the post with new photos and more tips for making the perfect Gin Daisy cocktail. Cheers!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s super refreshing. The combination of floral gin, citrus, sweetener, and a splash of soda water make this cocktail incredibly light and refreshing. It’s perfect for a warm spring or summer day!
- It’s great for even the most hesitant gin drinkers. The Gin Daisy is well balanced, so you get hints of the herbaceous, floral flavor notes of the gin without it overpowering the cocktail. Even those who aren’t sure how they feel about gin will enjoy this one!
- It’s incredibly versatile. Aside from the old-school and new-school variations of the recipe, this cocktail can be made with any spirit.
Ingredients & essentials
👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!
Both versions of the Gin Daisy rely on gin, lemon juice, and soda water.
In his book Imbibe!, cocktail historian David Wondrich recommends making the Gin Daisy with London Dry Gin, Plymouth, or Old Tom Gin. For a non-alcoholic version, use zero-proof gin.
Make sure your lemon juice is freshly squeezed. I use a citrus squeezer for this.
If you’re making the old-school Gin Daisy, you’ll also need orange liqueur, such as Cointreau. For a virgin Gin Daisy, use orange juice in place of the liqueur, similar to the swap used in my virgin margarita.
For the new-school Gin Daisy, you will need grenadine and simple syrup. I recommend using a true pomegranate grenadine or making your own grenadine syrup.
Make sure you have a jigger, cocktail shaker *, and a Hawthorne strainer for mixing the cocktail.
Don’t miss Gin 101 where you can learn more about which bottles to buy.
How to make the Gin Daisy
Both versions of the Gin Daisy are a simple shaken cocktail. So not only is this drink perfect for gin beginners, it’s perfect for those just starting out with cocktail-making, too.
In a cocktail shaker *, combine the gin and lemon juice. If you’re making the old-school version, add the orange liqueur. If you’re making the new-school version, add the grenadine and simple syrup.
Fill the cocktail shaker with ice, close it, and shake vigorously until chilled.
Did you know? When shaking a cocktail, you’ll know it’s ready when the outside of the shaker is very cold and the ice sounds broken up.
Fill a rocks glass or Collins glass * with ice. Use a Hawthorne shaker to strain the drink into the glass, then add soda water to top off the glass.
Garnish the old-school Gin Daisy with a lemon peel, or garnish the new-school version with an orange slice. Enjoy!
Tips & tricks
You can batch either version of the Gin Daisy base for a party. Multiply and mix the gin, lemon juice, and orange liqueur or grenadine and simple syrup for the number of cocktails you plan to make. Store in a bottle in the fridge until ready to serve. For the old-school Gin Daisy, shake 3 ounces of the batched mix, strain, and top with soda water. For the new-school version, shake 2.5 ounces of the mix.
Serving suggestions
The Gin Daisy can be served in either a rocks glass * or a Collins glass *. If you prefer a little less fizz to your cocktail, go with the rocks glass *.
Lemon peel is the perfect garnish for the old-school Daisy, while a fresh orange slice is perfect for the new-school Daisy. You could also add a fresh mint sprig if you have some on hand!
Since this is a very citrus-forward cocktail, it pairs well with rich foods to balance the acidity, such as a cheese and charcuterie board or a slice of lemon cheesecake to mirror the lemon in the drink.
FAQ
Yes! The Daisy can be made with any spirit you like best: Gin, tequila, whiskey, rum, brandy, etc. Try it with your favorite spirit if gin isn’t your vibe!
Yes. Use your favorite zero-proof gin alternative in place of the gin for either version of the recipe. If you are making an old-school Gin Daisy, make sure you swap the orange liqueur with orange juice.
A Daisy is a type of sour cocktail. Once you add soda water to a sour, it becomes a Daisy.
Gin Daisy
ingredients
Old School Gin Daisy
- 1½ ounces gin
- ¾ ounce lemon juice
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- soda water
- lemon peel for garnish
New School Gin Daisy
- 1½ ounces gin
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- ¼ ounce grenadine syrup
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- soda water
- orange slice for garnish
instructions
Old School Gin Daisy
- Add gin, lemon juice, and orange liqueur to a cocktail shaker.1½ ounces gin, ¾ ounce lemon juice, ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain over ice into a rocks glass or Collins glass and top with soda water. Garnish with a lemon peel.soda water, lemon peel
New School Gin Daisy
- Add gin, lemon juice, grenadine, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.1½ ounces gin, ½ ounce lemon juice, ¼ ounce grenadine syrup, ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain over ice into a rocks glass or Collins glass and top with soda water. Garnish with a slice of orange.soda water, orange slice
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nutrition information
amount per serving:
Reprinted with permission from The Essential Bar Book: An A-to-Z Guide to Spirits, Cocktails, and Wine, with 115 Recipes for the World’s Great Drinks
by Jennifer Fiedler, copyright 2014. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House LLC.
Jenna says
I received the bar book from blogging for books, too, and love it! It has so many fun recipes. I tried the New York Sour and it was delish! This drink looks so refreshing, I’m going to have to try it!