It is the season to make great drinks. And there are few better than a batch of classic gin cocktails. There's more to gin than the Martini, and these long, dark winter nights are the perfect time to discover some of the lesser-known classic gin cocktails.

A balanced blend of citrus, gin and champagne, the French 75 has an elegant simplicity and a subtle golden glow that makes it perfect for celebrations at any time of year. It emerged in France around the time of World War I, and one early cocktail writer claimed: “This drink is really what won the war for the Allies”.

Then there’s the Negroni. Created for Count Camillo Negroni at around the same time as the French 75, this is a blissfully simple drink to make at home. Just pour equal parts of gin, Campari and dry vermouth over ice in a tumbler, stir lightly, and add orange peel. The rich, red glow and bittersweet taste – a classic cocktail balance – are stunning.

Most likely, we have Harry McElhone, the man behind Harry's New York Bar in Paris, to thank for the White Lady, a drink with all the class and style its name suggests. A classic blend of gin with tangy lemon and Grand Marnier, it's Europe's answer to the Margarita – and even sometimes served dressed up with a sugar rim.

The Clover Leaf, a relation of the Clover Club, the 1900s' answer to the Cosmopolitan, has a seasonal colour that simply sings, and a rich red fruit flavour that works well at this time of year – even better if you trade in a pine sprig for the mint leaf garnish.

The most wintery of gin cocktails is undoubtedly the Alexander. Gin, cream and chocolate may not seem the most obvious combination at first, but they work beautifully together. Be sure to grate fresh nutmeg to sprinkle as a garnish – it brings out both the chocolate and the botanicals, and adds a note of festive spice.