Fun fact: Gimlet ingredients can be quite a touchy subject among cocktail fans. Some swear by a gin-based Gimlet, while others won’t touch anything other than the vodka version. So, what are the ingredients for a Gimlet exactly?
Here’s The Mixer’s short and sweet answer to this contentious question…
Add the gin, lime juice, syrup and ice to a cocktail shaker and shake until cold
Strain into a coupe glass and top with a splash of club soda if preferred
Garnish with a lime wheel, serve and enjoy!
The 19th century was a tricky time to be in the navy – folks were very prone to catching scurvy – a brutal, painful, and sometimes deadly disease brought about by vitamin C deficiency on long ocean voyages. Citrus juice turned out to be the answer, and Navy men took to it in a big way, often mixing it with something a little stronger to give it some kick.
The story goes that the Gimlet is named after Surgeon Admiral Sir Thomas Gimlette. He ostensibly prescribed the drink as a daily tonic to prevent disease among sailors and officers in the British Navy. Our kind of guy!
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The great thing about the easy list of gimlet ingredients is that you can really adapt this drink to suit your taste. This is why you find so many variations on this theme, you see! The fun part is that the gin Gimlet ingredients listed here can 100% be switched out to incorporate different spirits, and the recipe is so versatile that it can be built and expanded on as well.
Here are a few twists and turns you can take with the classic Gimlet:
Vodka gimlet ingredients follow the same pattern as the gin version – you simply use high-quality vodka instead of the gin. This is an excellent option if you prefer a smoother flavor rather than the herbaceous notes imparted by gin.
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The same goes for tequila gimlet ingredients – you simply use good tequila instead of gin. This is often a favorite of cocktail enthusiasts who like a smoky note in their drink.
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Basil gimlet ingredients stay true to the original gin-based recipe, only adding some muddled basil to the mix. This really brings the lively green notes of the juniper-based spirit to the forefront.
Cucumber gimlet ingredients are similarly simple – just add some muddled cucumber for a more delicately flavored version of the sour sipper.
