How to Make The Perfect Gimlet

Prep time: 3 minutes

Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 2 ounces London Dry gin (Tanqueray or Beefeater)
• 0.8 ounces fresh lime juice
• 0.8 ounces simple syrup (or 0.5 oz for drier)

Instructions

1. Chill your coupe: Place a coupe in the freezer.

2. Load the shaker: Fill a shaker with ice. Add 2 ounces London Dry gin (Tanqueray or Beefeater), 0.8 ounces fresh lime juice, and 0.8 ounces simple syrup (or 0.5 oz for drier).

3. Shake: Shake hard for 15 seconds 00:15.

4. Double-strain: Double-strain into your chilled coupe.

5. Garnish: A small lime wheel or expressed lime peel on the rim. Nothing more.

Notes

Fresh vs. Rose’s lime cordial: The original gimlet used Rose’s sweetened lime cordial. The modern version uses fresh lime and simple syrup separately. The fresh version is more vibrant and balanced, this recipe uses fresh. If you want the retro version, swap both for 3/4 oz Rose’s and skip the syrup.

Gin choice: London Dry gin is the classic, juniper-forward and dry, it stands up to the lime without getting lost. Something too floral or too light will disappear. Tanqueray and Beefeater are both excellent and widely available.

Shake, don’t stir: Unlike the Manhattan, the gimlet is shaken, the citrus needs emulsifying and the drink benefits from that slight dilution and chill that shaking provides.

Serve up: The gimlet is almost always served up in a chilled coupe. Rocks is acceptable but changes the character of the drink significantly.