The Gin & It: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

Elegant, aromatic, luxuriously simple—the Gin & It is one of the most quietly influential cocktails in the canon of mixed drinks. Often overshadowed by the Martini and Manhattan, the Gin & It predates them both in spirit and structure. Equal parts gin and sweet Italian vermouth, the cocktail embodies the era when vermouth was embraced not as an accent, but as a partner—a time when aromatic wines and botanicals defined drinking culture just as much as spirits did.

This is a drink with roots in Victorian England, rebirth in pre-Prohibition America, reinvention during the cocktail renaissance, and a modern comeback among bartenders who appreciate bold simplicity. Sweet, herbal, and juniper-forward, the Gin & It is a window into cocktail history—and a reminder that not every classic needs complexity to achieve brilliance.

I. Origins

A Name Hiding in Plain Sight

The name “Gin & It” is shorthand for Gin and Italian Vermouth—a term that emerged in the late 19th century as vermouth culture spread through England and the U.S. “It” was widely used to denote Italian sweet vermouth (versus “Fr” for French dry vermouth), especially on early bar menus and in trade publications.

Thus, the Gin & It was literally the “Gin and Italian.”

Simple, direct, and descriptive.

Italian Vermouth Takes Victorian England

Vermouth arrived in England in the 1800s and became fashionable among upper-class drinkers fascinated by bitters, aromatics, aperitivi, and fortified wines. Bars began serving it on its own or mixed with local spirits.

This created the earliest vermouth cocktails, including:

• Vermouth Cocktail

• Manhattan (emerging in the U.S., 1870s)

• Martinez

• Adonis

The Gin & It likely evolved from both the Vermouth Cocktail and the Martinez, simplified into a two-ingredient highball-style serve.

A Drink Made for the Era of “Aromatics”

The late 1800s celebrated:

• botanical spirits

• fortified wines

• European liqueurs

• bitter tonics

The Gin & It perfectly embodied this palate: herbaceous, sweet, complex, but not intense.

By the 1890s, it was a staple in American bars and hotels, appearing on early menus as “Gin and It(al.)” or “Gin and Vermouth.”

II. Historical Evolution

The Gin & It Goes Stateside

As American bartending culture flourished, so too did the Gin & It. By the 1910s, it had become a favorite among drinkers who wanted something lighter, sweeter, and more approachable than a straight Martini.

Pre-Prohibition recipes often called for:

• equal parts gin and sweet vermouth

• a dash of bitters

• lemon twist garnish

This made the Gin & It a close cousin of the Manhattan, simply swapping whiskey for gin.

Prohibition & the Sweetening of Taste

During Prohibition, gin quality varied wildly—“bathtub gin” often carried harsh flavors. Sweet vermouth did an excellent job masking off-notes, making the Gin & It one of the most forgiving cocktails of the era.

As a result, it became a home-bar favorite for:

• social gatherings

• underground clubs

• improvised cocktail culture

Its ease and versatility helped it survive a period that killed many classic cocktails.

Post-Prohibition Shift Toward Dry Drinks

By mid-century, America gravitated toward “drier” palates:

• drier Martinis

• less vermouth

• simplified highballs

The Gin & It fell out of mainstream fashion, associated with an older, sweeter style of drinking.

The Craft Revival: Vermouth’s Redemption

With the craft cocktail renaissance (2000s–2010s), vermouth quality skyrocketed, and bartenders rediscovered the beauty of vermouth-forward drinks.

The Gin & It re-emerged as:

• a Martini ancestor

• a sweet-but-balanced aperitivo option

• a showcase for modern vermouth

• a nostalgic but sophisticated two-ingredient drink

Today, it’s beloved among bartenders, historians, and vermouth enthusiasts.

III. Ingredients & Technique

Though simple, the Gin & It is highly sensitive to ratios, temperature, and ingredient selection.

1. Gin

Choose a style that complements sweetness and aromatics:

• London Dry Gin (classic)—juniper-forward, crisp

• Old Tom Gin (historically accurate)—slightly sweet, rounded

• New Western Gins—floral, citrus-forward, botanical

London Dry provides structure; Old Tom offers silky harmony.

2. Italian Sweet Vermouth

This is the soul of the drink.

Look for:

• Torino-style vermouth

• rich red color

• deep wormwood backbone

• spices like clove, vanilla, and cocoa

• fresh bottle (vermouth oxidizes quickly!)

Keep vermouth refrigerated and use it within 4–6 weeks for best flavor.

3. Garnish

Traditional options:

• lemon twist (brightens aromatics)

• orange twist (complements vermouth sweetness)

No cherry—this is not a Manhattan.

4. Technique

Because this drink is spirit-forward, technique determines elegance:

• stir, never shake

• use large ice

• chill the glass

• serve up or on a single large cube

The colder the drink, the cleaner the flavor.

IV. Cultural Significance

1. A Rare Surviving Pre-Martini Classic

The Gin & It sits at a crossroads between:

• the Martinez

• the Manhattan

• the Martini

It is one of the few cocktails that clearly illustrates the transition from sweet, vermouth-heavy drinks to dry, spirit-forward counterparts.

2. A Bartender’s Favorite

Bartenders love the Gin & It because:

• it showcases vermouth

• it highlights gin’s aromatics

• it plays beautifully with citrus oils

• it’s simple but sophisticated

It is often recommended as the “intro Martini” for people who prefer something softer.

3. Aperitivo-Friendly

Like a Negroni or Americano, the Gin & It fits squarely into aperitivo culture:

• aromatic

• sweet with backbone

• appetite-stimulating

• low-effort and elegant

It’s perfect before dinner.

4. A Cocktail That Encourages Exploration

Because vermouth varies dramatically across producers, the Gin & It encourages:

• experimentation

• tasting

• learning terroir differences

• seasonal mixing

No two bottles yield the same drink.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic Gin & It

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz (45 ml) gin

• 1.5 oz (45 ml) Italian sweet vermouth

• Garnish: lemon or orange twist

Method

1. Add gin and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass with ice.

2. Stir until very cold—about 20–25 seconds.

3. Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.

4. Express a citrus twist over the top.

5. Garnish elegantly with the twist.

Specs

• Glass: Coupe or Nick & Nora

• Ice: For stirring only

• Garnish: Lemon or orange peel

• Style: Spirit-forward aperitivo

Technique Notes

• Keep vermouth refrigerated for freshness.

• Adjust ratio depending on sweetness preference:

  • Drier: 2:1 gin to vermouth

  • Sweeter: 1:1 or even 1:1.5

• Citrus selection dramatically affects aroma.

• Never shake—clarity and silkiness are crucial.

Variations & Lineage

• Martinez: Gin + sweet vermouth + maraschino + bitters

• Perfect Martini: Dry + sweet vermouth with gin

• Gin & French: Gin + French (dry) vermouth

• Old Tom Gin & It: Historically aligned, softer, more luxurious

• Aged Vermouth Gin & It: Using reserve vermouths for added depth

Service & Pairing Tip

Pairs beautifully with:

• olives

• roasted nuts

• hard cheeses

• charcuterie

• smoked salmon

• citrus-marinated bites

Serve as a twilight aperitivo or dinner-party opener.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

1. A Template for Modern Minimalism

Modern drinkers increasingly appreciate elegant two-ingredient cocktails. The Gin & It is a blueprint:

• simple

• balanced

• aromatic

• low dilution

• no sugar syrups or bitters required

It’s an ideal “gateway classic.”

2. Vermouth Renaissance

As artisanal vermouth producers proliferate—from Italy to Spain to California—the Gin & It thrives as one of the purest ways to appreciate their craft.

3. A Drink with Timeless Style

The Gin & It remains:

• refined

• understated

• historically rich

• modern in its minimalism

It is the forgotten sibling in the Martini family—but arguably the most flavorful and romantic.