Lemongrass Gimlet
This lemongrass gimlet is bright, crisp, and lightly herbal, with gin, fresh lime juice, and a quick lemongrass syrup. It feels special but takes only a few minutes at the stove and a good shake with ice.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 2 cocktails
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 10mCook 5mDrinks
A classic gimlet is usually a simple mix of gin and lime. This version adds lemongrass, which brings a fresh citrusy aroma without making the drink taste sweet or heavy.
The only extra step is a small-batch lemongrass syrup. You simmer sugar, water, and smashed lemongrass for a few minutes, then let it steep while you juice the limes.
Serve this cocktail very cold in coupe glasses, martini glasses, or small rocks glasses. It is a nice choice when you want a drink that is tart, clean, and a little different.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
7 items · 2 cocktails
- 1 fresh lemongrass stalk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 4 ounces dry gin
- 2 ounces fresh lime juice, strained if pulpy
- Ice, for shaking
- Thin lime wheels or small lemongrass pieces, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Trim the lemongrass
Cut off the dry top and root end of the lemongrass stalk. Peel away any tough outer layer. Use the pale lower part, then slice it into thin rounds.
2. Bruise the lemongrass
Press the sliced lemongrass with the side of a knife, a rolling pin, or the bottom of a small pan. Bruising means lightly crushing it so the fragrant oils can flavor the syrup.
3. Simmer the syrup
Add the bruised lemongrass, sugar, and water to a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Once it starts to bubble gently, simmer for 2 minutes.
4. Steep and strain
Take the pan off the heat and let the syrup steep for 5 minutes. Pour it through a fine-mesh strainer into a small measuring cup, pressing on the lemongrass. You should have about 2 ounces of syrup.
5. Fill the shaker
Add the gin, fresh lime juice, and all of the lemongrass syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker about two-thirds full with ice.
6. Shake until cold
Seal the shaker and shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds. The outside of the shaker should feel very cold. This chills the drink and adds a little water from the melting ice, which balances the cocktail.
7. Strain and serve
Strain the gimlet into two chilled coupe glasses, martini glasses, or small rocks glasses. Garnish with a lime wheel or a small piece of lemongrass, and serve right away.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: You can make the lemongrass syrup up to 1 week ahead. Store it in a clean jar in the refrigerator. Shake or stir before using.
- Storage: The mixed cocktail is best served right after shaking. If you need to batch it, combine the gin, lime juice, and syrup without ice and refrigerate for up to 6 hours. Shake each serving with ice just before pouring.
- Swap the spirit: Vodka makes a cleaner, softer drink. White rum makes it rounder and a little tropical. Use the same amount as the gin.
- Adjust the sweetness: For a sharper gimlet, use 1 1/2 ounces syrup total instead of 2 ounces. For a softer drink, add an extra 1/2 ounce syrup.
- Use fresh lime juice: Bottled lime juice can taste flat or bitter in a short cocktail like this. Fresh juice makes a clear difference.
- No cocktail shaker: Use a clean jar with a tight lid. Shake well, then strain through a small sieve if the jar lid does not have a strainer.
Cook's note
Lemongrass stalks vary in size and strength. If yours is very thin or not very fragrant after slicing, use 2 stalks in the syrup. The nutrition estimate assumes the full small batch of syrup is used for 2 cocktails.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I use lemongrass paste instead of fresh lemongrass?
Yes, but use it carefully. Start with 1 teaspoon lemongrass paste in the syrup, then strain well. Some pastes include oil, salt, or preservatives, so the flavor may be less clean than fresh lemongrass.
Can I make this lemongrass gimlet less strong?
Yes. Use 3 ounces gin total instead of 4 ounces, or pour the shaken drink over fresh ice and top each glass with a splash of chilled soda water.
What kind of gin works well here?
A dry gin with citrus or herbal notes is a good fit. Very floral gins can also work, but they may compete with the lemongrass. Avoid strongly barrel-aged gin for this recipe.
Can I make this as a pitcher drink?
Yes. For 6 cocktails, use 12 ounces gin, 6 ounces fresh lime juice, and 6 ounces lemongrass syrup. Refrigerate the mixture without ice, then shake individual portions with ice before serving.
Can I make a nonalcoholic version?
Yes. Shake 2 ounces lime juice and 2 ounces lemongrass syrup with ice, then divide between two glasses and top each with 3 to 4 ounces chilled soda water or a nonalcoholic gin alternative.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
2 cocktails
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium1 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate15 g
- 5%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars13 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium4 mg
- 0%
- Iron0 mg
- 0%
- Potassium31 mg
- 1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
You might also like
DrinksGimlet 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.
DrinksSimple Syrup
Simple syrup is the small kitchen staple that makes cold drinks taste smooth and balanced. Make a jar in about 10 minutes, then use it for iced coffee, lemonade, cocktails, mocktails, and fruit desserts.
DrinksClassic Mai Tai
This mai tai keeps close to the tiki bar classic: rum, fresh lime, orange curaçao, orgeat, and crushed ice. It is bright, nutty, and strong, with no pineapple juice needed.
DrinksBrazilian Lemonade
Creamy, tangy, and ice-cold, Brazilian lemonade is made with fresh limes, water, sugar, and sweetened condensed milk. It comes together fast in a blender and is especially good on a hot day.