While the original Gimlet was made with Rose's Lime Cordial, you can update this gin cocktail with fresh lime juice and a touch of simple syrup. It's crisp, refreshing, and only 3 ingredients.
Chill glassware if desired: Coat the outside of a glass with water and freeze until serving time. Or, freeze dry glassware for 2 to 3 hours before serving.
Combine gin, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice, cover, and shake until outside of shaker is very cold, about 20 seconds.
Strain cocktail into glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
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Notes
Gin: A distilled spirit flavored with juniper berries and, occasionally, other botanical herbs or spices.
Simple syrup: Use store-bought or combine equal parts granulated sugar and water (i.e., 1 cup sugar plus 1 cup water) in a small saucepan. Cook gently over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved. Remove the syrup from the heat and let cool completely.
Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
Glassware: A Gimlet is perfect in a cocktail glass such as a coupe or martini glass.
Big batch: To make a batch of 8 cocktails, combine 20 ounces (2 1/2 cups) gin, 4 ounces (1/2 cup) fresh lime juice, and 4 ounces (1/2 cup) simple syrup in a pitcher. Have ice, glassware, and lime wheels on hand so guests can help themselves.
On the rocks: For a gimlet on the rocks, use a rocks glass or a stemless wine tumbler.
Vodka gimlet: Substitute vodka for the gin.
Daiquiri: Substitute white rum for the gin. Or, try the Hemingway Daiquiri which has grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur.
Southside: Add some fresh leaves to the cocktail shaker with the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup. Garnish with a fresh mint leaf.
Gimlet with Rose's Lime Juice:To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 2 1/2 ounces gin and 1 ounce Rose's sweetened lime juice. Shake vigorously until chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lime wheel.