Gimlet

Drinking a gin gimlet feels elegant and sophisticated—like Betty Draper in Mad Men. But its simplicity is really what makes it one of the great classic cocktails. Our gimlet recipe strikes the perfect balance of lime, sugar and gin, which gives it a crisp flavor.

Hemingway drank gimlets on safari, but it tastes just as good while sitting on the porch with your neighbors. Make this remarkable refresher for a crowd or a night in; it pairs beautifully with all kinds of food at cocktail parties, at backyard barbecues and any time you want a simple and enjoyable cocktail.

What is a gimlet?

A gimlet is simply a combination of gin, lime and sugar. The earliest versions were super sweet: half lime cordial (specifically Rose’s lime juice) and half gin. A good gimlet recipe, however, uses fresh lime and homemade simple syrup to balance the gin’s botanicals and alcohol.

In the mid- to late 19th century, the British Royal Navy panicked about scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency that affected millions of sailors. In 1867, Lauchlan Rose started making a lime cordial of sugar and fresh limes for the seafarers to take on their journeys. It’s sometimes said that Rear Admiral Thomas Gimlette was the first to encourage the troops to add Lauchlan Rose’s lime juice to their gin ration—that’s one story about how the drink got its name. The other is that a gimlet is a tool used to tap a gin barrel.

We’ve come a long way since then. While Rose’s lime juice is still produced today—and many continue to use it in gimlets—it’s generally made using processed flavoring and corn syrup. We think fresh lime juice is the key to a proper gimlet.

Gimlet Ingredients

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• Gin: A superstar spirit distilled with an often-secret blend of herbs, spices and fruit, gin has a fresh, green flavor. Try to find Tanqueray Ten or Sipsmith for a gimlet; both are distilled with distinctly citrus notes. We all have opinions about the best gin, but choose a London dry gin when you are in doubt.
• Lime juice: Tart and tangy lime juice bursts with citrusy goodness and vitamin C, one of the many benefits of lime. Freshly squeezed, if you please. You want the real zing.
• Simple syrup: It may just be sugar and water, but this key ingredient sweetens up the gin and lime. Simple syrup is a snap to make, but if you don’t have time, you can usually find it in the spirits aisle at your local store.

Directions

Step 1: Fill a cocktail shaker

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Fill a shaker three-fourths full with ice. Add the gin and lime juice.

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Add the simple syrup.

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Cover the shaker and shake the gimlet for 10 to 15 seconds or until condensation forms on the outside of the shaker.

Editor’s Tip: Shaking until you see condensation outside the shaker is just a marker. It means you’re shaking long enough to chill and mix the ingredients properly. Too little shaking, and the finished cocktail won’t taste as balanced, nor will it be icy enough.

Step 2: Strain and serve the gimlet

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Strain the gimlet into an ice-filled glass.

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Garnish the gimlet with lime.

Editor’s Tip: Lime wedges, half moons and full wheels (or slices) all work here.

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Gimlet Variations

• Make it sparkle: Top off your gimlet with some soda water. Bubbles were a popular way to finish a gimlet in the 1980s, and they are still just as fun and refreshing.
• Make a vodka gimlet: Use vodka instead of gin to make a vodka gimlet. The lime flavor will become more pronounced when you use vodka, which generally has a more muted flavor than gin.
• Be cool as a cucumber: Muddle or gently mash some sliced cucumber in the bottom of your shaker for a burst of green garden flavor. Pair it with Hendrick’s gin, which is distilled with cucumber. You can use a muddler—an essential tool for any home bar—or the back of a wooden spoon.

Can you make gimlets ahead of time?

Yes! To make gimlets ahead of time, mix up a big batch of gin, lime juice and simple syrup in a pitcher—sticking to the ratio in the recipe—and stash it in the fridge. When you’re ready to party, stir it a good bit and pour it over ice. This is perfect for when you’d rather be mingling than mixing. Your pre-made gimlet mix will stay fresh for about 24 hours in the fridge.

Gimlet Tips

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What type of glass do you use for a gimlet?

A gimlet served over ice works best in a tall Collins glass, but you can serve it in any type of cocktail glass, from an old-fashioned to a pint glass. To serve a gimlet without ice, use a coupe, a martini glass or a Nick and Nora glass. In our opinion, the best glass is a full glass.

How do you cut limes for a gimlet?

Clean your limes before cutting any citrus for a gimlet or other cocktails. This prevents any bacteria from traveling from the skin into the fruit itself.

• To make a lime wedge: Cut a quarter of an inch from each end, then cut the lime in half lengthwise; if you look at a lime like a globe, that’s pole to pole, not along the equator. Place a lime half, cut-side down, on a cutting board, and cut the lime into two to three wedges, lengthwise at an angle toward the center. To perch a lime wedge on the slide of a glass, cut a slit in the middle of the flesh.
• To make a lime wheel: Simply cut slices from the whole, washed fruit, add a small slit, and put it on the rim of the glass.
• To make lime half-moons: Cut lime wheels, then cut them in half. Add a slit so it stays on the side of the glass.

What can you serve with a gimlet?

Pair your gimlet with light appetizer recipes and seafood like shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon dip or crab dip. For something more filling, enjoy your gimlet with foods like quiche or a charcuterie board.