I Love a Good Gin and Tonic, But These 8 Cocktails Are Better

Everyone has their favorite drink that they love to pour to unwind after a tough day or to enjoy with friends. Personally, I always used to go for a good gin and tonic. Gin is not for everyone, but if you're like me, there's nothing quite as refreshing. Still, after drinking them for years, I have begun to expand my horizons. While doing so, I discovered that there are actually many other gin-based drinks that I desire.

That brings us to this list. The eight gin cocktails I've mentioned here will really hit the spot. Whether it's the familiarity of a Tom Collins or something completely different, like a cucumber cooler, there's a lot to enjoy on this list. Read on for some great drinks and recipes so you can make them at home.

What's better than a good gin and tonic? How about a Tom Collins? This beverage is a highball cocktail. It's typically served over ice and poured into a tall glass that's perfected by a tasty garnish. This cocktail has gin in it, but there's so much more. This could quickly become your favorite adult beverage.

You'll need several ingredients to make a Tom Collins, but trust us; it's all worth it. The ingredients include ice, your choice of gin, lemon, or cherry for garnish, simple syrup, and club soda. Fill the glass with ice and then put it in the freezer. Then, take a cocktail shaker and add the gin, syrup, and lemon juice. Add ice, shake, and then pour it all into the glass.

You can get your gin fix by mixing yourself a nice Negroni cocktail. This drink is made with equal parts Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth. It's an incredibly smooth cocktail that is both refreshing and bittersweet, and it's made best with an orange peel garnish. This is a sophisticated drink that you'll find yourself returning to often.

The Negroni is a good gin and tonic alternative that's best when made right. To make it, take one ounce of London dry gin, one ounce of Campari, and one ounce of sweet vermouth. Mix it together and stir while adding plenty of ice. The orange peel on top is a must.

This is one of the old-school cocktails that really gives gin the name it deserves. It's a beverage that offers a complex flavor, including lemon juice, creme de violette, maraschino liquor, and gin. The result is a gorgeous, pale purple drink that will make you the star of the bar.

This gorgeous purple cocktail is very easy to make. The ingredients include two ounces of gin, 1/2 ounce of maraschino liquor, 1/4 ounce of creme de violette, 3/4 ounce of lemon juice (preferably freshly squeezed), and then a cherry for the garnish. Shake the liquids with ice until chilled, then strain into a cocktail glass and enjoy!

If you love a good gin and tonic, you'll really like the French 75. This mix of gin and champagne is great for celebrations or for a nightcap after a long day. A lemon peel on top makes it the perfect beverage.

The great thing about a French 75 is that you get to modify it to your preferences. That's because you can use your desired champagne. Mix three ounces of champagne with one ounce of gin, 1/2 ounce of lemon juice (freshly squeezed), and 1/2 ounce of simple syrup. Shake it with ice, strain it into a champagne glass, then add the lemon twist.

You may not know it by the name, but the Vesper martini is the drink that James Bond would drink in all of his films. The name comes from the movie "Casino Royale." This is a smooth martini with a great taste, that, of course, is shaken and not stirred. It also gives you a nice amount of gin.

Although a bartender always made the vesper martini for James Bond, it's still rather simple for you to make at home. The ingredients include three ounces of gin, one ounce of vodka, and a half ounce of Lillet blanc aperitif. Add it all to a shaker with ice, shake well, and then add a lemon twist for garnish.

This is a delicious cocktail for fans of grapefruit juice. Of course, you wouldn't know it by the name. The drink actually gets its name since it was supposedly a popular drink for people waiting for the Greyhound bus. There's just enough gin in here to whet your whistle.

The Greyhound cocktail is an incredibly tasty drink and it's super easy to make. There are only three ingredients: An ounce and a half of gin, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, and a lime for garnish. Get a glass and fill it with ice. Pour in both the gin and grapefruit juice, and then add your garnish.

If you love a good gin and tonic, but you're looking for something different, then a cucumber cooler may be what you need. Great for hot summer days or while hanging out with friends, the cucumber cooler is incredibly refreshing, especially with the addition of mint and lime juice.

A good cucumber cooler will really hit the spot, but to make it right, you will need to put in some work. The ingredients are as follows:

• 1 1/2 lb cucumbers cut into one-inch pieces
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 Tbsp simple syrup
• Sparkling water
• Ice
• Fresh mint
• Gin

Once you have everything, process the water and cucumbers in a blender until smooth. Then, pour through a strainer into a cup. Then stir 1/2 cup of cucumber juice, simple syrup, lemon juice, and gin into a glass. Add the ice and mint and stir.

A final alternative to a good gin and tonic is the red snapper. This tasty drink was developed back in the 1930s. Essentially, it's a bloody Mary, but instead of using vodka, it uses gin. Apparently, it was created because gin was easier to get during prohibition. Whatever the reason, the drink is delicious.

The red snapper cocktail is delicious, but it does take a handful of ingredients to make it happen. Here is a great recipe that tells you everything you'll need. The list includes gin, black pepper, Tabasco, Worcestershire, and more. Add celery and lime as a garnish once you have everything in the glass.