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    You are here Home » Recipes » food

    By: Melissa

    Classic Gin Gimlet

    The classic gin gimlet is one of the classic cocktails that everyone should know how to make. It is a really easy to make gin cocktail and requires only a couple of ingredients, roses lime juice cordial, gin and a fresh lime for garnish. The lime cordial acts as the lime flavor and sweetener so all you have to do is mix two ingredients together and you can enjoy this really delicious cocktail.

    gin and lime gimlet
    Jump to Recipe
    Total Time: 3 minutes minutes

    Sometimes it is nice to go back and revisit some of the more traditional cocktails like this gin gimlet. For reference, a classic gimlet is actually made with gin but since there are other versions of a gimlet that are made, we will call it a gin gimlet 🙂

    I love this gimlet recipe because it is so elegant and simple and it is perfect for just about any occasion or season. There really is nothing that you need to add to this traditional recipe because it is so amazing as is.

    From time to time, I may alter this recipe a bit and make my French gimlet if I am in the the mood for a little different flavor but this classic gin gimlet is so good the way it is and I love that it only takes two ingredients to make it.

    What you will need to make this gin gimlet

    Just two ingredients and you will be on your way to make this delicious and simple traditional gimlet.

    gin gimlet ingredients
    • Gin. Your favorite brand. I really like Hendricks gin and Tangueray gin but use whatever brand you prefer.
    • Roses lime cordial. This is called Rose's lime juice and you can find it at any liquor store. If you do not have this on hand, I will show you how to make your own at home below!
    • Fresh lime. This is for the garnish.
    gin gimlet in martini glass on the table

    How to make

    Making this gin gimlet is as simple as the ingredients. It is one of my favorite drinks to entertain with because everyone always loves it and it takes just seconds to make.

    Here is what it looks like:

    • Add the gin and Rose's lime juice to a cocktail shaker with ice.
    • Shake well until the cocktail shaker is really cold.
    • Pour through a strainer into a martini glass.
    • Garnish with lime and enjoy!

    I told you this one was easy. Despite how easy this gin gimlet is to make, it is so big on flavor! It's such a favorite in our house.

    How to make your own Rose's Lime juice

    Now, if you do not have Rose's lime juice on hand but you really want to make this classic gimlet, here is what you will need to make your own lime cordial:

    • 1 cup of Sugar
    • 1 cup of water
    • 1 cup of lime juice. You can use bottled limes or juice your own.

    Just add the sugar and water to a small sauce pan and bring to a simmer of medium heat. Once the sugar is fully dissolved, remove from the heat and allow to cool.

    This is your simple syrup, or the sweet part of the lime cordial.

    Once the simple syrup is cool, you can add the lime juice and stir well. Now you have your own lime cordial.

    Make sure to store it in the fridge.

    classic gimlet

    How to serve

    The traditional way to serve a gin gimlet is in a martini glass without ice. You shake it in a cocktail shaker to get nice and cold and then pour it through a strainer into a martini glass.

    Now, you can certainly just mix the ingredients together and then serve it over ice in a short drinking glass if you prefer. No one will be judging you on this 🙂

    Pairing Ideas

    Here are some of our favorite things to serve with this:

    • baked brie with puff pastry
      Baked Brie en Croute with Jam
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      French Salad Nicoise (French Tuna Salad)
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    More Like This

    If you love this gin gimlet recipe, you may also like these:

    • elderflower gimlet
      French Gimlet
    • lavender and chartreuse sour
      Chartreuse and Lavender Sour
    • Miami Vice Cocktail
      Rhubarb Cocktail with Vodka
    • festive cranberry and citrus cocktail
      Vodka Citrus and Cranberry Cocktail

    Faqs

    What is in a traditional gimlet?

    A traditional gimlet consists of gin liquor and sweetened lime juice. Some older recipes state Rose's lime cordial is used and other recipes state limes and simple syrup.

    Can you make a gimlet with vodka?

    You can make this gin gimlet with vodka by swapping out the gin for vodka.

    top view of gin gimlet
    gin and lime gimlet
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Classic Gin Gimlet

    A simple gin lime gimlet made with just gin and Rose's lime juice. So easy and so delicious.
    Prep Time3 minutes mins
    Total Time3 minutes mins
    Servings: 1 cocktail

    Tried the Recipe? We Would Love To Hear From You In The Comments Below!

    Author: Melissa

    Equipment

    • 1 cocktail shaker
    • 1 martini glass

    Ingredients

    • 3 ounces Gin
    • 3 ounces Rose's Lime juice
    • Lime for garnish
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    Instructions

    • Add about one cup of ice to a cocktail shaker.
    • Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker then add top to the shaker.
      3 ounces Gin, 3 ounces Rose's Lime juice
    • Shake well until cocktail shaker is nice and cold.
    • Pour through a strainer into a martini glass.
    • Garnish with lime (optional).
      Lime
    • Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 55mg | Sugar: 62g | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 3mg

    Nutrition Values are estimates only.

    See full nutrition disclaimer here
    Course :cocktails, Drinks, entertaining

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    I am so excited you are here. My name is Melissa and I started this recipe website a few years ago to share recipes that I have been cooking for family and friends for years.

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