Gimlet Cocktail
A gimlet is a crisp, three-ingredient gin cocktail with a clean lime snap and just enough sweetness to round the edges. Shake it hard, serve it cold, and garnish simply.
- Total time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 5mCook 0mBritishDrinks
The gimlet is one of those classic cocktails that feels polished without being fussy. It is usually made with gin, lime, and a sweetener, then shaken until icy cold.
Older gimlet recipes often call for sweetened lime cordial. This version uses fresh lime juice and simple syrup, which gives you a brighter flavor and lets you adjust the sweetness to your taste.
Use a gin you enjoy, because there are only a few ingredients here. A London dry gin gives the drink a crisp, herbal style, while a softer modern gin makes it a little rounder.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
5 items · 1 cocktail
- 2 ounces gin
- 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- Ice, for shaking
- Lime wheel or lime twist, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Place a coupe or small cocktail glass in the freezer for a few minutes. If you are short on time, fill the glass with ice water while you mix the drink, then dump it out before serving.
2. Juice the lime
Cut a fresh lime and squeeze enough juice for 3/4 ounce. Strain out seeds and large bits of pulp. Bottled lime juice tastes flat here, so fresh juice is worth it.
3. Fill the shaker
Add the gin, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Add a generous handful of ice. A full shaker chills the drink faster and gives it a cleaner texture.
4. Shake until cold
Seal the shaker and shake firmly for about 12 to 15 seconds. The outside of the shaker should feel very cold. Shaking chills, dilutes, and lightly aerates the drink.
5. Strain into the glass
Remove the chilled glass from the freezer. Strain the cocktail into the glass using the shaker strainer. For an extra-smooth drink, pour it through a fine-mesh strainer as well.
6. Garnish and serve
Add a lime wheel or a thin lime twist. Serve right away while the gimlet is still cold and bright.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: You can combine the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup up to 2 hours ahead and keep the mixture covered in the refrigerator. Shake with ice just before serving.
- Storage: A shaken gimlet is not a good storage drink because the ice dilution changes the texture over time. If you have leftover mixed, unshaken cocktail, refrigerate it for up to 1 day, though the lime flavor will soften.
- Sweetness swap: For a drier gimlet, use 1/2 ounce simple syrup. For a softer, sweeter drink, use the full 3/4 ounce or a little more.
- Classic cordial option: To make a more old-school gimlet, replace the fresh lime juice and simple syrup with 3/4 to 1 ounce sweetened lime cordial, such as Rose’s. Taste and adjust, since brands vary.
- Gin swap: Vodka makes a vodka gimlet. It will be cleaner and less herbal than the gin version.
- No cocktail shaker: Use a lidded jar. Fill it with ice, shake well, then strain carefully into your glass.
Cook's note
Simple syrup is equal parts granulated sugar and water, stirred or warmed until the sugar dissolves. Cool it before using. For one small batch, combine 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 cup water; refrigerate leftovers in a clean jar for up to 2 weeks.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I stir a gimlet instead of shaking it?
You can, but shaking is preferred when a cocktail contains citrus juice. It chills the drink quickly, blends the lime and syrup evenly, and gives the gimlet a lighter texture.
What gin is best for a gimlet?
A London dry gin is the classic choice because its juniper and citrus notes stand up well to lime. If you like softer drinks, choose a modern botanical gin with cucumber, floral, or citrus notes.
Is a gimlet the same as a daiquiri?
They are related in structure, but not the same. A gimlet is usually gin, lime, and sweetener. A daiquiri is rum, lime, and sugar. The base spirit changes the whole character of the drink.
How do I make a gimlet less tart?
Add a little more simple syrup, 1 teaspoon at a time, and shake again briefly with ice. You can also reduce the lime juice to 1/2 ounce if your limes are especially sharp.
Can I batch gimlets for a party?
Yes. For 8 drinks, combine 2 cups gin, 3/4 cup fresh lime juice, and 3/4 cup simple syrup in a pitcher and refrigerate. To serve, shake 3 1/2 ounces of the batch with ice for each drink, or stir the whole batch with plenty of ice just before pouring.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium1 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate11 g
- 4%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars10 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium3 mg
- 0%
- Iron0 mg
- 0%
- Potassium23 mg
- 0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
You might also like
DrinksSnowball Cocktail
A Snowball cocktail is creamy, fizzy, and lightly citrusy, made with advocaat, lime, and chilled lemon-lime soda. It is a simple holiday drink that feels festive without needing a shaker or special bar gear.
DrinksSloe Gin Cocktail
This bright sloe gin cocktail shakes sweet-tart sloe gin with fresh lemon, a little simple syrup, and a splash of soda. It is ruby-red, lightly fizzy, and easy to make one glass at a time.
DrinksRhubarb & Custard Cocktail
This creamy pink cocktail takes its cue from the classic British rhubarb-and-custard pairing. Tart homemade rhubarb syrup, vanilla, and half-and-half make it taste playful without being too sweet.
DrinksCorpse Reviver No. 2
This classic gin cocktail is bright, citrusy, lightly herbal, and just sweet enough. Equal parts make it easy to remember, while a tiny absinthe rinse gives it its famous edge.