No.3 Gin Cocktails To Make At Home (& Enjoy Out)

By Ellie Smith

3 weeks ago

Plus: the capital's top No.3 Gin hotspots


What do you look for when choosing a bottle of gin? Perhaps you’re lured in by a beautiful design? Maybe you’re all about the botanicals? Or do you look for a style that works well in cocktails? Well, No.3 Gin offers all of the above – hence why it’s such a popular choice for at-home bar trolleys. But it’s also the gin of choice for bartenders, who are won over by its premium quality. Since its launch back in 2010, following years of development by London’s oldest wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros & Rudd, No.3 Gin has developed a sparkling reputation, scooping up the coveted World’s Best Gin award four times at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC).

No surprise: the spirit was created by a group of gin aficionados including Dr. David Clutton, the only person in the world to have a PhD in gin. It all began in 2008 when Berry Bros & Rudd’s former chairman Simon Berry had a vision: to create the perfect London Dry Gin, a style of gin produced in accordance with certain specifications set out by the British government. Despite the name, it doesn’t need to be produced in London: instead London Dry Gin is made using a specific distilling method, known for its refined, juniper-forward flavour profile. As Holland is the birthplace of gin, No.3 decided to partner with leading Dutch distiller Royal De Kuyper, a historic, family-owned company based in Schiedam – and the rest is history.

Peeling Orange
Pouring Gin

A perfectly balanced blend of juniper, citrus and spice, No.3 Gin is renowned for its smooth texture, which makes it the perfect choice for mixing cocktails. The C&TH team can attest to this: our social media editor Daniella Laxton recently spent an afternoon mixing up some of the signature serves, and was impressed by the clean, crisp taste. ‘I particularly loved how refreshing the Basil Spritz was,’ she said. ‘The sparkles make it feel somewhat celebratory and it’s super easy to make!’

Keen to give it a try yourself? Below, we share four of No.3 Gin’s top recipes, which you can create in your own kitchen or enjoy in one of the many bars serving No.3 Gin across London.


No.3 Gin Cocktail Recipes

Basil Spritz

The No.3 Gin Spritz, a sparkling cocktail originally hailing from Venice, has become synonymous with the aperitivo moment. This variation on the slightly sweeter classic sees No.3 Gin combined with fresh lemon, a touch of sugar syrup and fragrant basil, before topping with sparkling wine and a splash of soda.

Method:

  1. Combine the No.3 Gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and basil in your glass, keeping a small amount of basil for garnish.
  2. Stir vigorously to combine.
  3. Add the ice and top with the cremant and a splash of soda.
  4. Garnish with a sprig of basil. 
Where To Drink It: On Mortimer House’s rooftop terrace in the heart of Fitzrovia. This chic bar offers panoramic views of the city, alongside a selection of salads, soups and sandwiches.
INGREDIENTS
  • 35ml No.3 London Dry Gin
  • 15ml lemon juice
  • 15ml sugar syrup
  • Fresh basil, keep some for garnish
  • 125ml crémant
  • Soda
  • Ice
EQUIPMENT
  • Jigger (spirit measure)
  • Cocktail stirrer
  • Wine glass

Martini

The No.3 Martini is an iconic cocktail made with a good measure of No.3, a splash of vermouth and stirred down over ice to create the perfect balance. This unrivalled classic is always delightful, whether enjoyed in one of the capital’s top hotels, or at home in the company of great friends. Garnish as you like it, with a lemon twist or an olive for the perfect finishing touch. ‘A classic cocktail that never fails to delight the senses,’ says Daniella. ‘I love No. 3’s take on the martini – and the lemon twist made me feel like a real cocktail connoisseur.’

Method:

  1. Measure out 60ml of No.3 Gin and 10ml of Dry Vermouth.
  2. Stir over ice in a mixing glass and strain into a chilled martini glass.
  3. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Where To Drink It: On Mortimer House’s rooftop terrace in the heart of Fitzrovia. This chic bar offers panoramic views of the city, alongside a selection of salads, soups and sandwiches.
INGREDIENTS
  • 60ml No.3 London Dry Gin
  • 10ml Dry Vermouth
  • 1 lemon
EQUIPMENT
  • Jigger (spirit measure)
  • Martini glass
  • Strainer

Negroni

The No.3 Negroni is a bittersweet symphony loved the world over. Heralding from northern Italy, this marrying of the vermouth’s bitter notes with No.3 Gin’s juniper, citrus, and spice, makes for the perfect pre or post dinner drink. ‘No.3’s Gin complements this cocktail so well – it’s absolutely delicious and a real all-year-rounder,’ Daniella describes.

Method:

  1. Measure out 30ml No.3 London Dry Gin, 30ml Gran Classico Bitters (Campari) and 30ml Sweet Vermouth.
  2. Combine your ingredients in a mixing glass and stir over ice until suitably chilled.
  3. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
  4. Garnish with an orange twist.
Where To Drink It: Under the stunning painted ceilings of The Gothic Bar, a sophisticated spot housed within the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
INGREDIENTS
  • 30ml No.3 London Dry Gin
  • 30ml Gran Classico Bitters / Campari
  • 30ml Sweet Vermouth
  • 75ml Champagne
  • 1 orange
  • Ice
EQUIPMENT
  • Jigger (spirit measure)
  • Strainer
  • Cocktail stirrer
  • Mixing glass
  • Rocks glass

French 75

Introducing the No.3 French 75: a cocktail born in the beautiful city of Paris. This drink sees No.3 Gin shaken (or stirred) with lemon and sugar syrup before being topped with champagne for that sparkling finishing touch. Refreshing and citrusy with a dash of fizz, it’s perfect for toasting those special moments. ‘This is such an elegant cocktail,’ says Daniella. ‘It’s the perfect serve for a dinner party, this delightful drink feels special and celebratory. Anything with fizz gets my vote!’

Method:

  1. Pour 30ml of No.3 Gin, 25ml of lemon juice and 10ml of sugar syrup into a cocktail shaker.
  2. Shake these ingredients over ice and strain into a champagne flute.
  3. Top with champagne.
  4. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Where To Drink It: Under the stunning painted ceilings of The Gothic Bar, a sophisticated spot housed within the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
INGREDIENTS
  • 30ml No.3 London Dry Gin
  • 15ml lemon juice
  • 10ml sugar syrup
  • 75ml Champagne
  • 1 lemon
  • Ice
EQUIPMENT
  • Jigger (spirit measure)
  • Strainer
  • Champagne flute
  • Cocktail shaker

Other No.3 Gin Hotspots

Glass Pour
  • The Peninsula London, 1 Grosvenor Pl, London SW1X 7HJ
  • Fallow, 52 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RP
  • 100 Wardour Street, 100 Wardour St, London W1F 0TN
  • Beaverbrook Town House, 115-116 Sloane St, London SW1X 9PJ
  • Quaglino’s, 16 Bury St, St. James’s, London SW1Y 6AJ
  • Home House, 20 Portman Square, London W1H 6LW
  • Hans’ Bar & Grill, 164 Pavilion Rd, London SW1X 0AW
  • 14 Hills, 14th floor, 120 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 5AL
  • The Zetter Townhouse, 28-30 Seymour St, London W1H 7JB
  • Ottolenghi Spitalfields, 50 Artillery Ln, London E1 7LJ
  • The Italian Greyhound, 62 Seymour St, London W1H 5BN
  • Fischer’s, 50 Marylebone High St, London W1U 5HN
  • 1 Lombard Street, 1 Lombard St, London EC3V 9AA
  • Azzurra, 127 – 128 Sloane St, London SW1X 9AS
  • 14 Hills, 14th floor, 120 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 5AL
  • Scarfes Bar, Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN

Find out more and shop online at no3gin.com