Top 3 summer gin recipes for terrace, lake & barbecue

A balmy late afternoon on the terrace, the chirping of crickets, the mountains on the horizon shining in the golden backlight – and in your hand sparkles a glass that tastes of summer.

Gin has long been more than just a classic winter sipper in front of the fireplace: Its fresh juniper aroma, citrus notes, and alpine herbs blend perfectly with ice cubes, sparkling fillers, and the scent of sun-ripened fruits. Here are three uncomplicated summer gin recipes that will accompany you through every summer mood – from the first rays of sunshine to late into the balmy night.

Gin & Summer – why does it go so well together?

Gin naturally brings a fragrant lightness: juniper, citrus peel, coriander seeds, sometimes even spruce shoots or elderflowers. These very aromas evoke hiking across alpine meadows, breathing in the clear mountain air. Combined with cool juices, tonic, or soda, the result is a drink that's refreshing without being heavy. Unlike heavy rum or liqueur cocktails, gin lets the supporting cast shine—fresh herbs, berries from the garden, or a splash of lemon juice. Thus, each glass becomes a mini Alpine panorama that you explore sip by sip.

Summer freshness in a bottle: Where THORALM Gin finds its Alpine herbs

The key botanicals come from sunny, south-facing slopes in the Zillertal Valley, around 1,300 meters above the valley floor. As soon as early summer turns the juniper dark blue and mountain thyme and lemon balm release their full aroma, the plants are hand-picked in small baskets. They arrive at the distillery the same day to ensure the essential oils remain unadulterated. This way, every sip of Thoralm Gin contains precisely that clear, herb-fresh mountain air that makes a summer afternoon on the mountain pasture so special.

Summer Gin Recipes: Fresh Alpine Drinks in Under 5 Minutes

1. Midsummer Highball

INGREDIENTS (for 1 long drink)

• 4 cl THORALM Dry Gin

• 2 cl elderflower syrup

• 1 cl freshly squeezed lemon juice

• ice cubes

• Well chilled soda water for pouring

• 1 sprig of fresh mint

• Lemon zest as decoration

PREPARATION

1. Fill a tall glass to the brim with ice.

2. Pour gin, elderflower syrup and lemon juice directly over the ice.

3. Top up with soda and stir gently.

4. Perfume with lemon zest, lightly slap the mint sprig and place it in the glass.

TIP: Swap the mint for a few lemon balm leaves if you have some in your garden – this will bring even more summer meadow into the glass.

Food pairing tip

A small plate of crispy croutons, thickly spread with mild goat's cheese and finished with a few drops of mountain blossom honey, complements the Midsummer Highball. The delicate sweetness of the honey picks up the elderberry in the drink, while the creamy cheese rounds out the citrus freshness—perfect for rounding out the first sip.

2. Alpenglühen Gin Fizz

INGREDIENTS (for 1 glass)

• 5 fresh raspberries

• 5 cl THORALM Dry Gin

• 2 cl Swiss stone pine honey syrup*

• 2 cl freshly squeezed lime juice

• ice cubes

• Well chilled tonic water for pouring

• Raspberry and small sprig of rosemary as garnish

*Swiss pine honey syrup: Mix 2 tablespoons of alpine honey with 1 tablespoon of hot water, add 1 drop of Swiss pine oil or 1 cm of lemon zest, and let cool.

PREPARATION

1. Gently press the raspberries in the shaker to release their juice.

2. Add gin, pine honey syrup, lime juice and a handful of ice.

3. Shake vigorously, then strain through a fine sieve into a glass filled with ice.

4. Carefully pour in tonic water – the pink shimmer is reminiscent of the last rays of sunshine on snow-capped peaks.

5. Decorate with a raspberry and a small, charred rosemary sprig.

TWIST: If you like it spicier, replace the rosemary sprig with a few leaves of fresh thyme – it harmonizes wonderfully with the berry freshness.

Food pairing tip

The Alpenglühen Gin Fizz loves counterparts with character: Place a slice of hearty grilled mountain cheese on the board, drizzle with a dollop of spicy cranberry mustard, and enjoy the combination of smoke, salt, and berry flavors. This gives the cocktail a powerful echo without overpowering its fruity raspberry note.

3. Summit Herb Spritz

INGREDIENTS (for 1 aperitif)

• 4 cl THORALM Dry Gin

• 60 ml dry Prosecco or other sparkling wine

• 40 ml ice-cold mountain spring water or soda

• 1 thin slice of cucumber

• 1 strip of orange peel

• ice cubes

PREPARATION

1. Fill a large wine glass or tumbler with ice cubes.

2. Pull the cucumber slice along the rim of the glass, then let it slide into the glass.

3. Pour gin over the ice and stir briefly.

4. Top up with Prosecco, then add water or soda.

5. Twist the orange peel over the glass once to release the essential oils, then place it in a spiral.

TIP: Instead of Prosecco, try a light, naturally cloudy apple cider from the region – this will turn the Spritz into a perfectly balanced “apple strudel moment.”

Food pairing tip

For the Gipfelkräuter Spritz, we recommend wafer-thinly sliced, lightly smoked char, served with a dollop of cool dill cream. The delicate fish reflects the alpine freshness of the drink, while dill and orange combine to create an aromatic mountain panorama – an uncomplicated pleasure that calls for more than one glass.

Each of these drinks can be mixed in less than five minutes and requires no bar magic—just good gin, fresh ingredients, and the desire to savor summer to the fullest. So: fill the ice cube tray, grab your friends, and clink your glasses! May every sip be as clear and invigorating as a mountain stream—and that THORALM Gin your faithful companion for all sunny adventures. Cheers to an unforgettable summer!

FAQ

Question: Can I use non-alcoholic sparkling wine instead of Prosecco?
Answer: Yes – choose a dry, slightly sweet non-alcoholic sparkling wine so that the spritz stays fresh and doesn't seem too sticky.

Question: Which type of tonic is best?
Answer: A classic Dry Tonic brings out the juniper and herbs most clearly; for a little sweetness, Elderflower Tonic, for more citrus a Mediterranean tonic.

Question: How long does pine honey syrup last in the refrigerator?
Answer: Stored airtight in a clean glass bottle, the syrup will remain aromatic for about two to three weeks. If it becomes cloudy or ferments, please discard.

Photos: goodluz / stock.adobe.com; AI