Gimlet Recipe: How to Make a Gimlet

The Gimlet is a real hidden gem amongst the traditional cocktails. Incredibly simple to make, it's a light and delicious drink made with gin and lime cordial. Enjoy this gin drink on a good Spring or Summer's day to really bring out the flavours.
 

Gimlet ingredients

There are only two simple ingredients to the classic Gimlet cocktail...

• 60ml gin

• 10ml lime cordial
   

Gimlet method

Preparing a Gimlet has never been easier thanks to this recipe, so let's get started...
 

1. Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass and stir

Measure and pour the gin and the lime cordial into a mixing glass. Some recipes do call for a cocktail shaker but we're sticking to stirring the Gimlet.

2. Julep strain into a chilled cocktail glass

Julep strain into a chilled cocktail glass (usually a Coupe or Martini glass). It's important to stir the Gimlet, rather than using a cocktail shaker, because it gives the drink a smoother texture and flavour.

3. Garnish with a lime twist.

Garnish with a lime twist to finish and serve up. It's not uncommon to see a lime wheel used as a garnish, over the twist.
 

NOTE: If you want to make the Vodka Gimlet cocktail, just replace the gin with vodka. Follow the same measurements and have yourself the vodka version!

Gimlet FAQs

Looking to learn a little more about the Gimlet than just its recipe? Read more about this classic cocktail...
 

What is a Gimlet?

A Gimlet is a classic cocktail containing both gin and lime cordial. This gin cocktail has a tart but sweet flavour. The gin helps it reach a well-balanced profile, giving you that classic juniper finish. For those who love a sweet cocktail, but with a bit of gin and citrus bite, this is your ideal match!

Nutritional benefits of a Gimlet

The classic Gimlet cocktail has no nutritional value. This gin cocktail only contains 155 calories and 0g of fat.  

Gimlet variations

There are multiple variations of the classic Gimlet cocktail recipe, including the Richmond Gimlet, Basil Gimlet, Vodka Gimlet, Ancho Gimlet and Gin Sour (which uses fresh lemon juice over lime juice).

Variations of the Gimlet only need slight changes to the ingredients. For a kick, add a wee dash of ginger juice. For a bit more of a tart bite, add a good helping of fresh lime juice. If you're someone who loves the citrus bite but needs to soften the blow shortly after, try some fresh lime juice and simple syrup. Add half gin and equal parts of both the fresh lime juice and simple syrup, to make this well-balanced Gimlet variation.

What are the origins of the Gimlet?

Like every other famous cocktail, the Gimlet has a number of rival origin claims. Like many a gin cocktail, it was most likely invented in the 1880s by Royal Navy surgeon Sir Thomas Gimlette. Gimlette encouraged his comrades to add a good dash of scurvy-preventing fresh lime juice to their gin rations. Launchlin Rose's lime juice cordial, which had been developed only a decade before, made this possible by sweetening the drink and keeping the citrusy taste. Rose's lime cordial became a bit of a hit after this, as did the Gimlet!
 

If you're looking to master the classic Gimlet recipe behind the bar, or even the Vodka Gimlet, take a look at our bartender course. Become a bartender in no time and take the world by storm...