Classic Gin Gimlet Cocktail
The gin gimlet is the quintessential gin cocktail recipe, made with only 3 ingredients so that signature juniper flavor really shines!
Ah, gin. You either love it or you hate it—or you can only tolerate it when it’s mixed with a whole bunch of other ingredients. Personally, I appreciate that distinctive herbal, pine-like flavor and this gin gimlet cocktail is designed to highlight it perfectly.
A gin gimlet is a classic cocktail that combines the botanical flavor of gin with a hit of refreshingly tart lime. The most basic version is made with just three ingredients—gin, lime juice, and simple syrup—making it simple yet elegant, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour notes. Like a Bees Knees Cocktail or this Classic Cosmopolitan Recipe, it’s a timeless cocktail that never goes out of style!
Ingredients for a Gin Gimlet
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Gin – All gin is made with juniper berries, which some brands having a stronger juniper flavor than others. You’ll also find other botanicals like citrus, cardamom, coriander, and more. Because this cocktail is so simple, it’s a great way to use those more nuanced varieties!
- Lime – You’ll need lime juice and a wheel of lime for garnish.
- Simple syrup – Here’s how to make simple syrup.
How to Make a Gin Gimlet
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full printable instructions.
- Combine. Add the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice.
- Shake it. Shake to chill and combine.
- Serve it. Strain into either a chilled cocktail glass or over ice. Garnish with the lime wheel.
Tips for Making a Gin Gimlet
This is an all-caps EASY cocktail to make, but here are a few tips to help make it perfect.
- No shaker? No problem. You can use a sealed mason jar or even one of those plastic bottles for mixing protein shakes instead.
- Use fresh lime juice. While bottled lime juice can work in a pinch, using freshly squeezed lime juice is best for maximum flavor and freshness. It has a pop of brightness that you just don’t get with bottled!
- Adjust the sweetness to your preference. Some people prefer their gimlets on the sweeter side, while others enjoy the tartness of more lime juice. Play around with the ratio of simple syrup to lime juice until you find your perfect balance.
Gin Gimlet Variations
While the classic gin gimlet recipe is a tried and true favorite, you can switch things up easily!
- Vodka gimlet. This version has the same proportions as a traditional gin gimlet but replaces gin with vodka for a smoother finish.
- Honey gimlet. Instead of using simple syrup, some bartenders opt for honey simple syrup as their sweetener of choice in a gimlet.
- Basil gimlet. To make this variation, muddle a few fresh basil leaves in your shaker before adding the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Cucumber gimlet. Thinly slice a few pieces of cucumber and muddle them in your shaker, then follow the rest of the recipe as written.
How to Make Gin Gimlets for a Crowd
Follow these simple steps if you want to make a bigger batch of gin gimlets.
- Scale up the ingredients. Multiply the recipe ingredients by the number of servings you’d like to make.
- Combine. Stir together the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup in a large pitcher.
- Chill. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill the gimlets before serving.
- Serve. Fill individual glasses with ice and pour the pre-mixed gimlets over the ice. Garnish each drink with a lime wheel.
More Gin Cocktail Recipes
- Tom Collins (Gin Sour Cocktail)
- Cucumber Empress Gin and Tonic Cocktail
- Lemonade Gin Mojito Cocktail Recipe
- Apple Cider Gin Fizz
- Corpse Reviver No. 2
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Get the Recipe: Gin Gimlet
Ingredients
- 2 ½ ounces gin
- ½ ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Garnish: lime wheel
Instructions
- Add the gin, lime juice and simple syrup to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass or an rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.