What ingredients are in a Gin Daisy?

2 oz Gin, 1 oz Lemon Juice, 1/2 tsp superfine Sugar, 1/2 tsp Grenadine, 1 Maraschino cherry, 1 Orange

What glass do you use for a Gin Daisy?

A Gin Daisy is traditionally served in a Old-fashioned glass.

How strong is a Gin Daisy?

A Gin Daisy has an estimated ABV of 12.08%.

How many calories are in a Gin Daisy?

A Gin Daisy contains approximately 225 calories per serving.

What is in a Gin Daisy?

A Gin Daisy is made with gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and grenadine (or another red liqueur), shaken with ice and strained into a goblet or stemmed glass, often topped with a splash of soda or sparkling water. The grenadine adds both color and fruity sweetness, producing a pink-hued cocktail that is tart, refreshing, and visually appealing.

What cocktail family does the Gin Daisy belong to?

The Daisy is one of the foundational categories of classic cocktail making, defined by a spirit, citrus juice, sweetener, and a small quantity of a flavorful modifier such as grenadine or a liqueur. The Margarita is widely considered a Daisy variant — its name literally translates to 'daisy' in Spanish — making the Gin Daisy the direct gin-based ancestor of one of the world's most popular cocktails.

How should a Gin Daisy be garnished?

Traditional garnishes for a Gin Daisy include a citrus wheel, a maraschino cherry, or a small sprig of fresh herbs. Since the cocktail has a rosy pink color from the grenadine, a garnish that contrasts — such as a green mint sprig or a dehydrated citrus wheel — can be visually striking. Some versions are served in a metal cup over crushed ice to maintain the drink's chill longer.

The Gin Daisy is a classic cocktail belonging to the Daisy family of drinks, combining gin with lemon juice, sugar, and grenadine, shaken with ice and poured into an old-fashioned glass, garnished with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice. The Daisy formula — spirit, citrus, sweetener, and grenadine — produces a bright, coral-hued drink that balances the gin's botanicals against sweet and sour elements. The grenadine lends both color and a touch of fruity sweetness, while the lemon keeps the profile tart and refreshing. With an approximate strength of around 12 percent ABV, the Gin Daisy is one of the original cocktail family templates, citrusy and refreshing in character.

Gin Daisy

Glass Old-fashioned glass

Difficulty Hard

Calories ~225 kcal

ABV 12.08%

Ingredients

Gin 2 oz
Lemon Juice 1 oz
Sugar 1/2 tsp superfine
Grenadine 1/2 tsp
Maraschino cherry 1
Orange 1

Instructions

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the gin, lemon juice, sugar, and grenadine. Shake well. Pour into an old-fashioned glass and garnish with the cherry and the orange slice.

Citrus Refreshing

The Gin Daisy is a classic cocktail belonging to the Daisy family of drinks, combining gin with lemon juice, sugar, and grenadine shaken and poured into an old-fashioned glass over ice, garnished with cherry and orange. The Daisy formula — spirit, citrus, sweetener, and grenadine — produces a bright, coral-hued drink that balances the gin's botanicals against sweet and sour elements. It is one of the original cocktail family templates.

History & Origins

The Daisy cocktail family dates to the 19th century and is documented in Jerry Thomas's 1876 bartending guide 'The Bar-Tender's Guide.' The original recipe used yellow chartreuse as the sweetener; grenadine became the standard adaptation in the 20th century. The Margarita is widely believed to have evolved from the Tequila Daisy, illustrating the template's lasting influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: juniper and gin botanicals with bright lemon citrus and a sweet pomegranate-cherry note from the grenadine. Palate: tart and citrus-forward with lemon acidity balanced by the grenadine's sweetness and the gin's herbal complexity. Finish: dry, slightly sweet, and botanical with lingering citrus and a cherry note.

lemon grenadine juniper sweet-tart floral

Pro Tip

Shake vigorously to fully integrate the grenadine with the lemon juice, as grenadine has a tendency to settle — and garnish with both the cherry and orange slice as specified for the traditional presentation.

Techniques Used

Shaking

Data verified November 2016

Nutrition Facts →

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