Strawberry Sage Gin Cocktail Recipe

I love making cocktails that feel fresh and simple, and honestly, this one is a favorite of mine. A Strawberry Sage Gin Cocktail blends sweet berries, herbal sage, and crisp gin into one refreshing drink you can easily mix up at home. It’s easy to throw together and honestly, it looks just as good as it tastes.

You don’t need any fancy tools or hard-to-find ingredients here. With some fresh produce and a basic shaker, you’ll have a drink that feels special without much fuss.

The way the fruit and herbs balance each other makes this cocktail work for pretty much any season.

I’ll walk you through the recipe step by step and point out what makes the flavor pop. You’ll get some quick tasting notes too, so you know what you’re in for before that first sip.

Strawberry Sage Gin Cocktail Recipe

I whip up this drink when I’m craving something crisp and a little herbal. The combo of sweet strawberries, earthy sage, and bright gin makes a cocktail that’s refreshing and honestly, just easy to enjoy.

Equipment

I keep my tools simple—no need to overcomplicate things. Using the right stuff makes everything smoother and helps the drink taste the same every time.

• Cocktail shaker – mixes everything evenly
• Muddler – presses out juice from strawberries and oils from sage
• Fine mesh strainer – catches pulp and herb bits
• Jigger – measures out gin and other liquids
• Bar spoon – for stirring if you need it
• Serving glass – a short rocks glass or coupe is my pick
• Knife and cutting board – for slicing up strawberries

Having all of this ready before I start saves me from scrambling later.

Ingredients

The flavor really comes from a short list of fresh stuff plus a good gin. I always grab ripe strawberries and fresh sage leaves—makes a difference.

• 2 oz gin (London Dry or botanical gins both work)
• 3–4 fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 3–4 fresh sage leaves
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
• Ice cubes (enough for shaking and serving)
• Optional: club soda if you want a lighter touch

I’ll tweak the syrup depending on how sweet the strawberries are—early season ones sometimes need a bit more.

Instructions

Here’s how I do it, step by step:

• Toss the strawberries and sage leaves into your shaker.
• Muddle gently—just enough to break down the fruit and wake up the sage.
• Pour in the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
• Add a good amount of ice, then shake hard for about 15 seconds.
• Strain everything through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled glass.
• If you like, add fresh ice to the glass.
• Want it lighter? Splash in some club soda.
• Garnish with a sage leaf or a strawberry slice—looks great.

I always sneak a taste before serving, just to make sure the sweetness or acidity feels right.

Notes

I’ve noticed the flavor balance totally depends on the strawberries. If they’re super sweet, I use less syrup. If they’re on the tart side, I leave the full amount in.

Fresh sage gives a cool herbal note, but it’s easy to go overboard. I stick to just a few leaves and muddle gently instead of smashing them.

This cocktail really shines with gin that’s got citrus or floral notes. If I use a heavy juniper gin, the sage can get a little too punchy.

When I’m making this for friends, I’ll sometimes double the recipe in a bigger shaker and pour into smaller glasses. It keeps the flavor consistent and saves a bit of time.

Tasting Notes

When I take the first sip, the bright sweetness of the strawberries jumps out right away. The fruit flavor tastes fresh and light—definitely not heavy or cloying.

It gives the drink a clean start, and honestly, I immediately want another taste.

As the sip lingers, the sage brings in an earthy layer. I notice it balances the berries with this soft, herbal note that feels just right.

The sage doesn’t overpower the gin; instead, it gives the drink a grounded, almost cozy feel.

The gin’s botanicals show up in the background. I pick up a gentle mix of juniper and citrus, which ties the fruit and herbs together.

It’s smooth, not too sharp, and just sort of rounds everything out.

There’s also a slight tart edge from the strawberry. That keeps the drink from feeling flat or boring.

The mix of sweet, herbal, and crisp flavors makes each sip pretty balanced.

The finish? It’s light and refreshing. I taste the sage the most at the end, with a subtle herbal note lingering on my tongue.

It feels clean—and honestly, pretty easy to enjoy.