Gimlet Cocktail History & Recipe

The Gimlet is a cocktail made of gin and lime juice. A 1928 description of the drink was: gin and a spot of lime. Before the Gimlet became popular in 1953, it is believed that it was served to the sailors in the British Royal Navy to fight scurvy. Rose’s Lime Juice was created in 1867 as a way to preserve lime juice without alcohol and it was used by the Navy.

Gimlet can also be made with vodka, and many versions also add fresh lime in addition to Rose’s. The Gimlet rose to popularity after it was mentioned in the 1953 Raymond Chandler novel The Long Goodbye. The main character, Philip Marlowe, said, “A real Gimlet is half gin and half Rose’s Lime Juice and nothing else.

Ingredients:

• 50ml homemade lime syrup 
• ice
• 50ml London dry gin
• slice of lime and an edible flower, to garnish (optional)
• 2 limes, grated zest and juice
• 200g caster sugar

Preparation:

1. Put your glass in the fridge to chill.
2. Pour 50ml of the lime syrup into a jug or tall glass and add a few ice cubes and the gin.
3. Stir until the outside of the container feels very cold.
4. Strain the mixture into your chilled glass and garnish it with a slice of lime and an edible flower.
5. Decorate your cocktail with flowers or fruit.
6. Enjoy 🙂