Gimlet

The gimlet has its origins in the 19th century when sailors would mix questionable gin with lime juice and sugar to make it more palatable. This blend not only improved the flavor but also helped combat scurvy during long voyages at sea.

The first recorded reference to the gimlet cocktail appeared in 1928, and shortly after included in the Savoy Hotel cocktail book. The original recipe called for equal parts gin and Rose’s sweetened lime juice.

Today, the gimlet is a well-balanced sweet and sour cocktail, typically crafted in a 2:1:1 ratio—two parts gin, one part sweet, and one part sour. Sugar provides the sweetness, while lime juice adds the acidity, resulting in a perfectly tart and refreshing drink that strikes the right balance without being overly sweet or too sour.

Making a Gimlet

This recipe is very easy to master because it only requires two ingredients. Following the craft cocktail trend, using the freshest ingredients, we make our own lime cordial for the absolute best cocktail.

With superior distillation processes today compared to the early 1900’s, you may adjust the ratio of gin to lime cordial. Choose as strong as 4:1 or lower to suit your personal taste. I prefer equal parts lime cordial and gin.

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