There is nothing more simple than a gimlet cocktail. All you need is gin, limes, and simple syrup, and you can make this cocktail in the blink of an eye. This gimlet cocktail has a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness that pairs wonderfully with the gin’s botanical notes.
With only three ingredients, this gimlet recipe is one you’ll want to have in your back pocket as you probably don’t have to run to the store to buy anything to make it. It’s the perfect cocktail for entertaining or just for a casual evening at home. Got extra gin? Try my french 75 recipe, Tom Collins cocktail, or Aviation cocktail.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Gin — gin is a distilled spirit flavored with botanicals. I recommend using good-quality gin as it is only one of the three ingredients. I use Hayman’s Royal Dock Gin for this gimlet which has a balance of juniper, coriander, and citrus flavors.
Lime juice — I highly recommend using freshly juices limes instead of bottled lime juice. While historically, this gin cocktail uses Lauchlin Rose’s lime cordial, this version updates it with fresh lime juice and simple syrup, as bottled lime cordial’s ingredient list has changed over time. Fresh lime juice will always taste more bright, flavorful, and fresh.
Simple syrup — you can use store-bought or homemade simple syrup to sweeten the cocktail.
How to Make Gimlet
1. Combine gin, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
2. Fill the shaker with ice.
3. Shake until the outside is chilled and frosted, about 30 seconds.
4. Strain the drink into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Pro Tips for Making This Recipe
- Avoid adding crushed ice to the shaker as the ice will melt quicker and water down the cocktail.
- Don’t have a cocktail shaker? You can use a mason jar or any jar with a tight-fitting lid and strain the drink through a fine-mesh sieve.
- You can chill the glass by placing it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Or, you can fill the glass with ice and set it aside for a couple of minutes. Discard the ice before filling the glass with the cocktail.
- For stronger botanical flavors, you can add botanicals to the shaker, such as extra dried juniper berries, cardamom pods, dried ginger, and dried citrus peels.
- You can also muddle some fresh herbs, such as basil. Feel free to play around with the flavors!
- A gin gimlet is traditionally served in a coupe or martini glass but feel free to use what you have on hand.
- Out of gin? A vodka gimlet is a popular alternative to a gin gimlet. Substitute equal parts vodka to equal parts gin.
- Cucumber is a refreshing addition to the gimlet. You can muddle sliced cucumbers before adding the rest of the ingredients to the shaker for a mild, lightly sweet, refreshing flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can easily make a pitcher of gimlet by scaling up the ingredients to however many servings you’d like and stirring them together in a pitcher. Store in the fridge until ready to serve. Have ice, glasses, and lime set out for serving.
You can purchase a bottle of simple syrup at the store or make simple syrup for cocktails at home. Make sure to make it ahead of time so it has time to cool before adding it to your drinks. Here’s how to make it:
1. Add equal parts water and sugar to a pan.
2. Stir and bring to a boil.
3. Remove from heat and chill in an airtight container.
4. Store in the fridge for up to a week
It’s thought that the gimlet originated in the 19th century when consuming citrus juices was discovered to prevent scurvy. Lauchlin Rose’s lime juice cordial was an ideal way to take lime juice to the navy ships, where Surgeon Admiral Sir Thomas Gimlette suggested combining the lime juice with gin. Another theory of where the drink and name originated from is that it was named after a tool called the gimlet. A gimlet was used to drill small holes on navy ships, and the cocktail had the same piercing effect on drinkers as the tool on the ships.
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this Gimlet recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
Gimlet
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
- Coupe glass or martini glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Combine gin, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until the outside is chilled and frosted, about 30 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Notes
- Avoid adding crushed ice to the shaker as the ice will melt quicker and water down the cocktail.
- Don’t have a cocktail shaker? You can use a mason jar or any jar with a tight-fitting lid and strain the drink through a fine-mesh sieve.
- You can chill the glass by placing it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Or, you can fill the glass with ice and set it aside for a couple of minutes. Discard the ice before filling the glass with the cocktail.
- For stronger botanical flavors, you can add botanicals to the shaker, such as extra dried juniper berries, cardamom pods, dried ginger, and dried citrus peels.
- You can also muddle some fresh herbs, such as basil. Feel free to play around with the flavors!
- A gin gimlet is traditionally served in a coupe or martini glass but feel free to use what you have on hand.
- Out of gin? A vodka gimlet is a popular alternative to a gin gimlet. Substitute equal parts vodka to equal parts gin.
- Cucumber is a refreshing addition to the gimlet. You can muddle sliced cucumbers before adding the rest of the ingredients to the shaker for a mild, lightly sweet, refreshing flavor.
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